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Phlebotomy is a great stepping stone for a career in the medical field without the years and years of study and cost generally related to it. Albeit the career prospect is limited as a phlebotomist, but a phlebotomy certification can be the ground work for studying to becoming a lab technician or a nurse. This is where the importance of phlebotomy certification comes in. 

Even though it is not necessary to have certifications to get a job as phlebotomists or go further in the career, certifications can give you an additional advantage in job search and a chance at bigger and more established institutes that prefer hiring certified professionals. Remember, getting better job also mean better salary prospects and benefits. Some states also have rules that allow only certified phlebotomists practice.  

Phlebotomy certification does not necessarily take very long or cost very high. Candidates will first have to complete a high school degree and then start taking phlebotomy classes at any college or institute. The classes can be for a few months for or if you intend to pursue a proper career in this field, a 2 year associate degree will be the best option. 

Not all phlebotomy classes or training programs are aimed at a certification. Therefore, if is advised that questions regarding the certification-worthiness of the course be investigated before taking it. On completion of the phlebotomy training, the candidate becomes eligible for a certification through examination, albeit under a few eligibility criteria. Depending on the phlebotomy certification desired, the candidate will need to accrue a specified number of class credits and training.  

Phlebotomy certification is offered by three certifying bodies in the US, namely the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (APT) and the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA). Each of these certifications will test the candidate on basic phlebotomy knowledge including anatomy, physiology, circulatory system, techniques, procedures and guidelines.  
 

To qualify for a Phlebotomy certification from the ASCP, without prior work experience the candidate needs to have completed 

• High school graduation or equivalent
• 40 classroom hours
• Classes in anatomy, physiology, specimen collection, processing and handling, and laboratory training
• Training up to 120 hours
• At least 100 successful blood collections done without any help from other phlebotomists.
• Internship at specified laboratory regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988.

 

To qualify for a phlebotomy certification from the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (APT), without prior work experience, the candidate need to have completed 

• An accredited course in phlebotomy
• Taken a membership with APT
• Completed 100 successful venipunctures (a technique for intravenous access, used in drawing blood etc)
• Completed 5 successful skin punctures (a technique through which blood specimen is obtained by puncturing finger tips)

 
 

To qualify for a phlebotomy certification from the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), without prior work experience, the candidate need to have completed- 

• A NPA specified phlebotomy training program, complete with of at least 200 hours of practical training with either mannequins or in clinical experience or both.
• Performed Venipuncture techniques
• Completed hands-on clinical practical internship
• Completed 160 classroom hours in addition

 

If the phlebotomy courses taken not cover the necessary hours specified in the eligibility criteria of these certifications, the candidate has the option of gathering the practical and clinical requirements on the job and then taking the examination. Employed phlebotomists need to have at least six months work experience before becoming eligible for the certifications. If the work is part time, the duration is then extended to one year before the candidate can qualify for phlebotomy certification. 

Some states have stricter laws that allow only certified phlebotomists to draw blood etc. For instance California has three levels of phlebotomy qualification – Technician, Certified Technician I and Certified technician II. A simple Phlebotomy technician is only allowed to perform Skin puncture. With the first level of certification, the Certified Technician I phlebotomist is allowed to perform Venipuncture and the Certified technician II is allowed to perform arterial puncture as well.  

The requirements for these levels are also different in California. To become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician I, the candidate in California need to have High school diploma or GED, 40 classroom hours at an approved school, 40 practical training hours, 50 successful venipunctures, 10 skin punctures and a passing score on the state-approved exam. For the LEVEL II, the requirements are even stricter and the candidate needs to pass one of the state approved phlebotomist certification exams. 

It is possible to obtain phlebotomy certification online as well. Often the certification is packaged with the online phlebotomy course and the cost is included in the course fee. Such courses are tailored to meet the need of the specific certification provided along with it and will provide the opportunity for the candidate to complete the necessary requirements within the coursework. 

A certification can be immensely helpful for those who intend to work up from a phlebotomists and work to become nurse and lab technicians, where the salary is higher. Most certified professionals find it easier to go back to school and study further.