California Phlebotomy Certification
Phlebotomy Certification Matrix
Last updated April 2008
| Limited Phlebotomy Technician | Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT 1) No experience |
Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT 1) Less than 1040 hours on the job experience (OTJE) |
Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT 1) 1040 or more hours on the job experience (OTJE) |
Certified Phlebotomy Technician 2 (CPT 2) |
| High school graduate or GED | High school graduate or GED Qualified to be a CPT1 Obtained 1040 hours On-the-Job-Experience (OTJE)** within the last 5 years | |||
| Submit documentation and an application to a CA approved Phlebotomy Training Program | ||||
| Complete the following: 20 hours (basic class) 25 successful skin punctures in a clinical setting on real patients through a training program or on the job |
Complete the following: 20 hours (basic class) 20 hours (advanced class) 40 hours of practical training 50 successful venipunctures AND 10 successful skin punctures on real patients |
Complete the following: 20 hours (basic class) 20 hours (advanced class) |
Complete the following: 20 hours (advanced class) |
Complete the following: 20 hours (advanced class) 20 successful arterial punctures under a licensed MD, PA, RN, CLB, CLS or RCP while training on the job |
| Obtain a certificate of completion from the phlebotomy training program | ||||
| Perform 25 successful skin punctures | Experience is non-applicable | Perform 50 successful venipunctures AND 10 successful skin punctures on real patients | Perform 50 successful venipunctures AND 10 successful skin punctures on real patients | Perform 50 successful venipunctures AND 10 successful skin punctures AND 20 arterial punctures on real patients |
| Obtain a certificate signed by a licensed MD, PA, RN, CLB or CLS stating completion of 25 successful skin punctures while on the job (OTJ) | Experience documentation is non-applicable | Obtain documentation from employer(s) of 50 venipunctures & 10 skin punctures - signed by laboratory director(s) | Obtain documentation from employer(s) of 50 venipunctures & 10 skin punctures - signed by laboratory director(s) | Obtain documentation from employer(s) of 50 venipunctures & 10 skin punctures - signed by laboratory director(s) AND documentation of 20 arterial punctures - signed by licensed MD, PA, RN, CLB, CLS, or RCP |
| No examination requirement | Submit documentation and an application to a CA approved Certification Organization to take a written phlebotomy examination | |||
| No examination requirement | Pass a written phlebotomy examination and obtain a certificate of completion | |||
| Obtain a CA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) application from CA DHS-LFS by writing, calling, e-mailing or printing from the DHS Forms website, or apply online: https://secure.cps.ca.gov/cltreg/pt_certinfo.asp | ||||
| Direct your high school to send your transcript to CA DHS-LFS, Phlebotomy Program | ||||
| Make a copy of your certificate from the CA approved phlebotomy training program that you attended. | Make a copy of your certificate of completion from: 1. CA approved phlebotomy training program 2. CA approved certification organization | |||
| Submit by mail to DHS-LFS: Completed CPT application Copy of certificate from training program Copy of certificate signed by licensed MD, PA, RN, CLB or CLS if punctures done OTJ Check/money order for $54 2 passport size photos |
Submit by mail to DHS-LFS: Completed CPT application Copies of certificates from training program and certification organization Check/money order for $54 2 passport size photos |
Submit by mail to DHS-LFS: Completed CPT application Copies of certificates from training program and certification organization Documentation of 50 venipunctures AND 10 skin punctures Check/money order for $54 2 passport size photos |
Submit by mail to DHS-LFS: Completed CPT application Copies of certificates from training program and certification organization Documentation of 50 venipunctures AND 10 skin punctures Check/money order for $54 2 passport size photos |
Submit by mail to DHS-LFS: Completed CPT application Copies of certificates from training program and certification organization Documentation of 50 venipunctures AND 10 skin punctures Documentation of 20 arterial punctures Check/money order for $54 2 passport size photos |
Download the Phlebotomy Certification Matrix (PDF)
CA DHS-LFS Contact Information
California Department of Health Services, Laboratory Field Services
Mailing Address:
CA DHS-LFS Phlebotomy Program
850 Marina Bay Parkway
Richmond, CA 94804-6403
Phone: 510-620-3844
Fax: 510-620-3822
E-mail: mdesousa@dhs.ca.gov
More Information
The RCI staff has helped thousands of students become California State Certified Phlebotomists. Call or schedule a visit with an RCI staff member for more information.
Note: Some requirements may have changed since the publishing of this website.
Current requirements and detaied information is also always available at the LFS web site.