How to Become a Phlebotomist

1. Earn Your High School Diploma or GED

You must complete high school or pass the GED test to qualify to take a Phlebotomist Training Program. You also must be at least 18 years old to get into the program.

2. Complete a Phlebotomy Training Program

You must complete a training program that includes the study of anatomy, procedures for collecting blood, proper storage techniques and the safe handling of blood products. There are more than 200 community colleges and vocational schools nationwide offer phlebotomist training programs.

Most of these programs last less than a year and include classroom instruction and hands-on-training in a hospital or clinic. To show your proficiency, you must complete multiple disease tests and skin punctures.

3. Earn the Required Certification

To obtain certification, a training program must be completed and the national certification exam taken and passed with a 70% or better accuracy rate. In order to sit for the exam, a successful demonstration of 100 venipunctures and 25 skin punctures must be completed.

Certifications are available from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP).

The AMT requires candidates to have completed at least 1,040 hours of work experience and to have passed the exam. You will be more hirable with a AMT certification.

Phlebotomists are required to be licensed in some states and it varies by state. You should check the health department in your state for more info.