Certified phlebotomy technician (cpt) study guide (printed) 2.0 pdf

You might think this is just another study guide. However, our healthcare test prep isn’t like other study guides. Because Ascencia Test Prep’s unofficial NHA Phlebotomy Exam Study Guide: Test Prep and Practice Questions for the National Healthcareer Association Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam offers you examples, graphics, and information, you’ll benefit from a quick yet total review of everything on the exam! Imagine having your test prep materials on your phone or tablet! Ascencia Test Prep’s NHA Phlebotomy Exam Study Guide comes with FREE practice questions, online flash cards, study “cheat” sheets, and 35 test tips, all available online. These easy to use materials will give you the edge you need to pass your exam the first time.

The National Healthcareer Association was not involved in the creation or production of this product, is not in any way affiliated with Ascencia Test Prep, and does not sponsor or endorse this product.

Ascencia Test Prep's NHA Phlebotomy Exam Study Guide offers you a full review of the subjects covered on the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, test tips and strategies, real-world examples, and worked through practice problems. Our book covers:

• Online Resources
• Introduction
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Blood Specimen Collection
• Non-Blood Specimen Collection
• Specimen Handling, Transport and Processing
• Laboratory Operations

… and also includes 1 FULL practice test, so that you will be ready on test day.

Use our free Phlebotomy practice tests (updated for 2022) to prepare for your upcoming exam. The Phlebotomy Certification Exam is an assessment taken by candidates who wish to become a Phlebotomy Technician.

Phlebotomy Technicians work in places like hospitals, clinics, blood donation centers, and any other medical facility in which blood needs to be drawn from patients.

See our directory of free phlebotomy practice tests for the latest actual questions and answers for exams from NHA, ASCP, AMT and more.

Summary: Utilize our free phlebotomy practice tests below to test your knowledge. 

There are many online resources available for those looking to prepare for the Phlebotomy Test. Many of these resources can be found absolutely free online, such as:

It is important to check with your home state to see what licenses or certifications they require a phlebotomist to hold, as requirements vary by state. As such, there is no single nationally recognized program or exam to become a Phlebotomy Technician. In general, there are six most-recognized pathways to becoming certified.  These six programs are offered through:

Choosing which program is right for you is not simply a matter of which one you’d prefer, but is generally a function of what your state requires. Each program and test has different requirements, meaning you may have to take steps to be eligible to even take the exam to begin with. This is why it is important to see what your state requires before getting started.

Performance on The Phlebotomy Certification Test is vital for any candidate who wishes to become a Phlebotomy Technician. 

Phlebotomy practice tests and other resources are available for those interested in preparing for their Phlebotomy Test. Utilization of these resources can often mean the difference between passing and failing.

Because there is no single recognized exam or program of study to become a Phlebotomy Technician and programs vary by state, candidates must enter the correct corresponding program to meet their state’s requirements. 

In general, there are six most commonly used pathways to becoming a Phlebotomy Technician. For each pathway, there are a number of different ways candidates can qualify. They are as follows:

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP Phlebotomy)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) provides candidates with the Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) upon successful completion of the exam. 

The exam itself includes 80 multiple-choice questions and candidates are given 2 hours to complete it. The six content areas on the PBT include:

• Circulatory System
• Specimen Collection
• Specimen Handling, Transport, and Processing
• Waived and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
• Non-Blood Specimens
• Laboratory Operations

In order to qualify to take the PBT, candidates must meet one of seven possible routes for candidacy. 

For example, the requirements for Route 1 are as follows:

1. Candidates must have earned a high school diploma or GED.
2. Candidates must have completed an NAACLS-approved phlebotomy program within the last 5 years.

For a complete rundown of all eligibility routes to see which one you may qualify for, use the ASCP Board of Certification eligibility assistant.

Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)

The Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) provides candidates with the Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) upon successful completion of the exam. The ASPT also requires members to obtain at least six hours of continuing education per year in order to keep the certification active.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, the following requirements must be met:

• One full year spent working as a part time phlebotomist
  OR
• Six months spent working as a full time phlebotomist
  OR
• Successful completion of an accredited phlebotomy technician training program which includes at least 75 documented successful venipunctures and 5 documented skin punctures
• A letter from a certified healthcare supervisor showing the candidate needs to take blood specimens regularly as part of the regular job function
• Current ASPT membership

American Medical Technologists (AMT Phlebotomy)

The AMT Phlebotomy Technician Exam offered through American Medical Technologists (AMT) includes 200 questions covering 8 topics:

• Obtaining Blood Samples
• Specimen Collection and Processing
• Time Management and Assignment Organization
• Professional Communications
• Clerical Skills and Duties
• Safety Standards and Procedures
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations
• Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology

In order to qualify to take the Phlebotomy Technician exam through AMT, candidates must meet one of two possible routes for candidacy. 

For either route, candidates must have also completed at least 50 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures:

Route 1:

Graduation or eminent graduation from an accredited phlebotomy course which includes at least 120 clock hours. Candidates must have completed this phlebotomy course within the previous four year.

Route 2:

Completion of at least 1,040 hours of live work experience as a phlebotomy technician, sometime within the previous 3 years. 

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI Phlebotomy)

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI) offers the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam, which includes 125 questions to be completed in 3 hours. These questions cover 6 topics of content, including:

• Quality and Professional Issues
• Infection Control and Safety
• Orders and Equipment Selection
• Patient ID and Site Preparation
• Collections
• Problems and Correction

In order to qualify to take the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam through NCCT, candidates must meet one of four possible routes for candidacy. These routes include:

• Current Student
• Graduate
• Work Experience
• Military

For more information on the specific requirements for each route, click here.

National Healthcareer Association (NHA Phlebotomy)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam includes 120 questions to be completed within 2 hours. These questions cover the following 5 content areas:

• Safety and Compliance
• Patient Preparation
• Routine Blood Collection
• Special Collections
• Processing

In order to qualify to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam, candidates must meet all of the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a health field training program covered within the NHA certification
• Completion of Registered Apprenticeship Program that is either:
  • In a health field covered by the NHA certification, or
  • Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor
• One year of supervised live work experience anytime within the past 3 years
• Documented successful performance of at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures.

American Medical Certification Association (AMCA Phlebotomy)

The AMCA Phlebotomy Technician Exam Certification offered through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) includes 100 questions and candidates are given 2 hours to complete them. These questions cover 5 content areas:

• Patient Care
• Patient ID and Site Prep
• Order and Equipment Selection
• Specimen Collection/Processing
• Safety and Infection Control

In order to qualify to take the Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• At least 30 documented venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures
• Completion of an accredited clinical program of study

It is important to use the appropriate Phlebotomy practice tests and study materials for the program and test your pathway requires.

Depending on which Phlebotomy Certification Test your state requires, the Phlebotomy Test can be administered at one of hundreds of locations across the United States, and in some cases online. Please check with your state’s requirements to see when and where your appropriate test will be administered

Fees for taking the Phlebotomy Certification Test vary based on which test you take and which route you take to qualify. Some test fees are shown in the following table. Be sure to check with your state to see exactly which test you should be taking.

Since candidates are paying for their own Phlebotomy Certification Exams, it is recommended that you utilize all available free Phlebotomy practice tests and other resources.

 Each Phlebotomy Certification Exam has its own eligibility requirements. Check with your state to see what pathway and test you should be taking to become a Phlebotomy Technician. 

 Each Phlebotomy Certification Exam has its own score report. Check with your state to see what pathway and test you should be taking to become a Phlebotomy Technician. 

It is important to check with your home state to see what licenses or certifications they require a phlebotomist to hold, as each state has different requirements. As such, there is no single nationally recognized program or exam to become a Phlebotomy Technician. In general, there are six most-recognized pathways to becoming certified - ASCP, ASPT, AMT, NCCT/MCI, NHA, and AMCA.

Every state is different when it comes to licensing, certification, and other requirements to becoming a Phlebotomy Technician. Check your state's requirements before beginning any phlebotomy education program.

phlebotomists work in many different clinical laboratories, community centers, hospitals, nursing homes, blood donation centers, doctor's offices and other health care facilities.