How to Become Phlebotomy Certified in California

On April 9, 2003, California began requiring certification for phlebotomists who draw blood from patients. Each two-year certification must be obtained before you can begin work, and the prerequisites include education, documented blood draws and passing an examination, as well as an application with the state. There are three levels of certification, which determine a phlebotomist's scope of practice; for most entry level positions, it's required that you obtain Certified Phlebotomy Technician I status, which allows you to do venipuncture and skin punctures.

Things You'll Need

• Visa or Mastercard
• Passing California certification exam results
• Social Security number
• Copy of high school diploma or GED results
• 2 passport size photographs of face
• Copy of educational transcript
• Documentation of successful venipunctures and blood draws
• Printer
• Mailing envelope and postage
• $100 (as of 2010)

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Instructions

• 1

  Ensure that you meet the requirements to certification in phlebotomy. These include having a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of an 20 to 40 hour phlebotomy course and documentation of at least 50 successful venipunctures and 10 skin punctures (from an internship or on-the-job training).

• 2

  Contact an approved agency to schedule your California certification exam. There are, as of 2010, six agencies including, according to the California Department of Public Health: "... ACA [phone]; AMT, [phone]; ASCP [phone]; NCCT/MMCI [phone]; NCA [phone]; and NHA [phone]."

• 3

  Wait for your examination results. You can proceed with certification if you pass the exam.

• 4

  Visit a photo processor and take two passport sized photographs that clearly depict your face from the front. You will need to enclose these with your final application.

• 5

  Navigate to the California Phlebotomy Technician Certification Application website. (See "Resources.") Create a free online account with a username and password. Then log in using these credentials to file an online application.

• 6

  Complete the application. You will need your Social Security number and other personal information, as well as a Visa or Mastercard to pay the application fee (which is, as of 2010, $100 dollars).

• 7

  Print two copies of your attestation page at the end of the application process. Keep one of the copies for your records.

• 8

  Mail one copy of your attestation page, along with a copy of your official transcript, a verification form documenting your successful blood draws, a copy of your examination results and the two passport sized photos to:

  Attn: Phlebotomy Program
  CDPH - Laboratory Field Services
  850 Marina Bay Parkway, Bldg. P, 1st Floor
  Richmond, CA 94804-6403