Schools with Phlebotomy Classes & Programs

Medical technology continues to march forward and people are living longer than ever. There are several careers to provide for the concurrent rise in demand for medical services. Among these professions are phlebotomy, or the medical science of puncturing a vein to draw blood or introduce fluids.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) predicts that there will be a 22 percent jump in this career between 2020 and 2030, much higher than the average projected increase for all occupations (8 percent). These medical technicians serve an invaluable function to society by drawing blood from patients for transfusions, donations, research, and various types of medical assessments.

There are a variety of phlebotomy schools to get candidates prepared for their certification exams and for a rewarding job in this medical field. In order to work effectively, these professionals must be uniquely trained in not only the technical aspects of the occupation but in communicating with patients and medical staff as well.

Phlebotomy schools offer programs for these aspiring professionals which typically take less than one year to complete. The phlebotomy classes can vary in length depending on the electives offered, the state in which the program is completed, and the accrediting body. Many programs are offered through community colleges, technical schools, or vocational schools. These postsecondary programs normally involve both classroom and laboratory portions, with courses such as anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. The successful completion of a supervised externship in a medical setting is also common.

There are several organizations that offer certifications for phlebotomy technicians which are covered below. Candidates generally need to complete an accredited program from a phlebotomy school and have some clinical experience (e.g., externship) as well. After completing these prerequisites, individuals may be qualified to take a certification exam. These tests normally involve a written portion and a practical component to demonstrate the candidate’s efficacy at drawing blood.

Phlebotomist fast facts
Projected Jobs Created29,500
Projected Job Growth23%
Average Salary$36,480
Low Salary$26,000
Median Salary$35,510
High Salary$49,750
Entry-Level EDU Certification
Sourced from BLS, June 2018

Accredited Phlebotomy Degree & Certificate Programs

There is a range of phlebotomy schools that can help get a candidate prepared for certification and a career in this growing field. These programs are generally offered through community colleges and technical schools, but there are other options as well. While there are no programs that can be taken exclusively online due to the necessity of a lab component, a number of phlebotomy schools offer flexible options for their students where many of the courses can be taken remotely.

Finally, most phlebotomy schools have a few requirements for interested candidates. Prospective students typically must have the following:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • CPR certification
  • Immunizations

It’s important to check the varied requirements of phlebotomy schools prior to completing the application.

O*NET offers a tool to help individuals find programs within their state.

Here is a sampling of accredited programs taken from the five states with the high employment levels in this occupation: California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

California Phlebotomy Programs

According to the BLS (May 2021), California has the highest level of employment for phlebotomists at 12,690. This is one of four states that requires its phlebotomists to have a special state certification before practicing the profession.

Long Beach City College

The Long Beach City College, a public two-year institution, offers a phlebotomy technician certificate of achievement as part of their medical assisting associate’s degree. It generally takes two academic years to complete.

In California, Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT 1) is the official job title for these professionals. This program is approved by the state and involves two courses in addition to a clinical portion. The first course, AH220, is a hands-on class involving the drawing of blood from a practice mannequin and later from one’s classmates. It teaches safe procedures for the withdrawal, usage, and disposal of blood. The final course, AH220AD, offers students the opportunity to use their new blood-drawing skills under the supervision of licensed phlebotomists and clinical laboratory scientists.

Students are required to spend at least 50 hours in a supervised medical center before completing the program.

  • Location: Long Beach, CA
  • Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: Contact the college for details

Texas Phlebotomy Programs

Texas has the second-highest number of phlebotomists at 12,100.

Lone Star College

Lone Star College offers a hybrid phlebotomist certificate preparing students for the national phlebotomy exam which is required by the National Healthcare Association. Comprising 144 clock hours, this certificate program also prepares students for 1 of 2 national exams at the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

  • Location: Kingwood, TX; Conroe, TX; Cypress, TX; Houston, TX; Tomball, TX
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: within a year
  • Estimated Tuition: In-district ($90 per credit); out-of-district ($202 per credit); out-of-state ($257 per credit)

Florida Phlebotomy Programs

Florida ranks third in the employment of phlebotomists at 7,840.

Eastern Florida State College

Eastern Florida State College, a public four-year institution, has a 16-week program for phlebotomy technicians. The first six weeks involve a “minimester” course with a lab, and the program finishes with a ten-week supervised hospital externship involving 105 hours of clinical experience. After completing this program, students can take one of the national certification exams.

In order to gain admittance, students must be at least 18 years old. The program requires 165 clock-hours.

  • Location: Cocoa, FL
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 16 weeks
  • Estimated Tuition: $2.56 per clock-hour

Other Phlebotomy Programs of Note

Columbus State Community College

Columbus State Community College’s phlebotomy certificate program is a NAACLS approved program that offers two courses to teach blood collection, handling procedures, and basic equipment usage. Additionally, these classes teach students about safety, medical ethics, and professional standards. Students will also be exposed to a clinical experience where students will complete 100 clinical hours and 100 venipunctures.

Graduates of this 9-credit program will be eligible to take the certification exam through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
  • Estimated Tuition: Ohio residents ($167.93 per credit); non-Ohio, U.S. residents ($343.47 per credit)

Bucks County Community College

Bucks County Community College, a public two-year school, prepares students for the range of employment responsibilities including drawing blood and processing the specimens.

Students in this program will be prepared to work as phlebotomists at several health care settings such as commercial laboratories, medical clinics, hospitals, and other settings where blood is collected from patients. The program also includes an externship that offers students 120 hours of practice in a clinical off-site facility. During this externship, students will be required to perform 100 successful unaided blood draws.

Comprising 17 credits, the program includes courses in medical terminology; basic human anatomy; medical law and ethics; and phlebotomy procedures and techniques. Following the completion of the phlebotomy classes and externship, students are eligible to sit for the certification exam.

  • Location: Newtown, PA
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Expected Time to Completion: 15 weeks
  • Estimated Tuition: Residents of Bucks county ($165 per credit); out-of-county residents ($330 per credit); out-of-state residents ($495 per credit)

In sum, most phlebotomy schools offer one-year programs comprising two courses. These combine both theoretical and clinical aspects of drawing blood. They traditionally involve both coursework and an externship where the students can practice their techniques on mannequins and finally live subjects, normally their classmates, in order to prepare them for the certification exams.

SELECT * FROM `mts_online_offline_data` WHERE `page_url` = '/phlebotomist' AND ( `table_type` = 'Offline' OR `table_type` = 'BOTH (Online + Offline)' ) ORDER BY `grads` DESC

List of Phlebotomist Schools

Filter by state :
School City State Website grads (2018)
Manhattan Institute New York New York www.manhattaninstitute.edu 317
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis Indiana www.ivytech.edu 226
Bates Technical College Tacoma Washington www.batestech.edu 142
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education Piscataway New Jersey www.aimseducation.edu 140
Pima Medical Institute-East Valley Mesa Arizona pmi.edu 134
Mountainland Technical College Lehi Utah mtec.edu 121
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.pmi.edu 113
Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton Washington pmi.edu 112
Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque New Mexico www.cnm.edu 97
Front Range Community College Westminster Colorado www.frontrange.edu 91
National Career Education Citrus Heights California nce.edu 91
Lansing Community College Lansing Michigan www.lcc.edu 83
Erwin Technical College Tampa Florida www.erwin.edu 82
Allied Health Careers Institute Murfreesboro Tennessee www.ahci.edu 81
Clover Park Technical College Lakewood Washington www.cptc.edu 81
Renton Technical College Renton Washington www.rtc.edu 76
Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Illinois www.morainevalley.edu 75
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College Chicago Illinois www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x 74
Rogue Community College Grants Pass Oregon www.roguecc.edu 69
College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas Nevada www.csn.edu 68
Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Colorado www.emilygriffith.edu 67
Institute for Business and Technology Santa Clara California ibt.edu 62
Dixie State University Saint George Utah dixie.edu 59
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton Elizabethton Tennessee www.tcatelizabethton.edu 58
Arkansas State University-Newport Newport Arkansas www.asun.edu 55
Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway South Carolina www.hgtc.edu 55
MTI College Sacramento California www.mticollege.edu 54
Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey Florida www.phsc.edu 54
Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove Illinois www.waubonsee.edu 54
Northwest Career College Las Vegas Nevada northwestcareercollege.edu 53
Vista Adult School Vista California vistaadultschool.org 53
American National University Salem Virginia www.an.edu/locations 52
Pima Medical Institute-Houston Houston Texas pmi.edu 51
Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross Georgia www.coastalpines.edu 48
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa California www.santarosa.edu 48
North Seattle College Seattle Washington www.northseattle.edu 47
Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin Georgia www.sctech.edu 47
Apollo Career Center Lima Ohio www.apollocareercenter.com/adult-education 46
Lorenzo Walker Technical College Naples Florida www.lwtc.edu 45
Aims Community College Greeley Colorado www.aims.edu 45
Pima Medical Institute-El Paso El Paso Texas www.pmi.edu 45
William Rainey Harper College Palatine Illinois www.harpercollege.edu 44
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Pennsylvania www.hacc.edu 43
Clark College Vancouver Washington www.clark.edu 42
Community College of Aurora Aurora Colorado www.ccaurora.edu 42
Lake Technical College Eustis Florida www.laketech.org 42
De Anza College Cupertino California www.deanza.edu 41
Los Angeles ORT College-Los Angeles Campus Los Angeles California www.laort.edu 41
New Horizons Medical Institute Norcross Georgia www.newhorizonsmedical.com 41
Bridgerland Technical College Logan Utah www.btech.edu 40
Carrington College-Reno Reno Nevada carrington.edu 40
Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe New Mexico www.sfcc.edu 39
Washburn Institute of Technology Topeka Kansas www.washburntech.edu 39
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville North Carolina www.abtech.edu 38
Marion Technical College Ocala Florida www.mariontc.edu 38
American National University Nashville Tennessee www.an.edu 38
Trinity School of Health and Allied Sciences Torrance California tshas.edu 38
Yakima Valley College Yakima Washington www.yvcc.edu 38
Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.ccac.edu 36
Eastern Arizona College Thatcher Arizona www.eac.edu 36
Institute of Medical Careers Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.imbc.edu 36
Northeast Technical Institute Scarborough Maine www.ntinow.edu 36
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson Arizona pmi.edu 36
Pueblo Community College Pueblo Colorado www.pueblocc.edu 36
Arkansas State University Mid-South West Memphis Arkansas www.asumidsouth.edu 35
Best Care College East Orange New Jersey bestcarecollege.edu 35
Butte County Regional Occupational Program Chico California ctec.bcoe.org 35
Schoolcraft College Livonia Michigan www.schoolcraft.edu 35
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville Tennessee www.tcatnashville.edu 35
West Georgia Technical College Waco Georgia www.westgatech.edu 35
Alaska Career College Anchorage Alaska www.alaskacareercollege.edu 34
Black River Technical College Pocahontas Arkansas www.blackrivertech.edu 34
College of Lake County Grayslake Illinois www.clcillinois.edu 34
South Florida State College Avon Park Florida www.southflorida.edu 34
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Iowa www.dmacc.edu 33
Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education Indio California www.riversidesce.org 33
Bucks County Community College Newtown Pennsylvania www.bucks.edu 32
Daytona State College Daytona Beach Florida www.daytonastate.edu 32
Warren County Career Center Lebanon Ohio www.mywccc.org 32
Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES-Center for Workforce Development Rochester New York www.monroe2cwd.edu 31
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta Georgia www.wiregrass.edu 31
Olney Central College Olney Illinois www.iecc.edu 30
Miami Dade College Miami Florida www.mdc.edu 30
Career Quest Learning Centers-Lansing Lansing Michigan www.careerquest.edu 30
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh North Carolina www.waketech.edu 30
Eastern Florida State College Cocoa Florida www.easternflorida.edu 29
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee Wisconsin matc.edu 29
Phoenix College Phoenix Arizona www.phoenixcollege.edu 29
Quinsigamond Community College Worcester Massachusetts www.qcc.edu 29
Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville Arkansas www.anc.edu 28
Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City Louisiana www.bpcc.edu 28
Elgin Community College Elgin Illinois www.elgin.edu 28
Goodwin College East Hartford Connecticut www.goodwin.edu 28
American National University-Lexington Lexington Kentucky www.an.edu/locations 27
Central Coast College Salinas California www.centralcoastcollege.edu 27
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Baton Rouge Louisiana www.franu.edu 27
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District Chillicothe Ohio www.pickawayross.com 27
Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs Colorado www.ppcc.edu 27
Platt College-McCann-Allentown Allentown Pennsylvania www.mccann.edu 27
Traviss Technical College Lakeland Florida www.traviss.edu 27
Fletcher Technical Community College Schriever Louisiana www.fletcher.edu 26
Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Rhode Island www.ccri.edu 26
Healthcare Training Institute Kenner Louisiana healthcaretraininginstitutenola.net 26
Laurel Business Institute Uniontown Pennsylvania laurel.edu 26
Madison Adult Career Center Mansfield Ohio www.madisonadultcc.org 26
University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus Los Lunas New Mexico valencia.unm.edu 26
Western Nevada College Carson City Nevada www.wnc.edu 26
Career Training Academy-Lower Burrell Lower Burrell Pennsylvania careerta.edu 25
Central Louisiana Technical Community College Alexandria Louisiana www.cltcc.edu 25
Dixie Technical College Saint George Utah www.dixietech.edu 25
Kankakee Community College Kankakee Illinois www.kcc.edu 25
Atlanta Technical College Atlanta Georgia atlantatech.edu 24
Cleveland Community College Shelby North Carolina www.clevelandcc.edu 24
Manchester Community College Manchester New Hampshire www.mccnh.edu 24
Southwest Technical College Cedar City Utah stech.edu 24
Arapahoe Community College Littleton Colorado www.arapahoe.edu 23
Sinclair Community College Dayton Ohio www.sinclair.edu 23
SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton New York www.sunybroome.edu 23
Academy of Careers and Technology Beckley West Virginia www.wvact.net 22
Angeles College Los Angeles California www.angelescollege.edu 22
Bellingham Technical College Bellingham Washington www.btc.edu 22
Columbus Technical College Columbus Georgia www.columbustech.edu 22
Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby Illinois www.ivcc.edu 22
Lake Superior College Duluth Minnesota www.lsc.edu 22
Minnesota State College Southeast Winona Minnesota www.southeastmn.edu 22
Pensacola State College Pensacola Florida www.pensacolastate.edu 22
Piedmont Technical College Greenwood South Carolina www.ptc.edu 22
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga Chattanooga Tennessee www.miller-motte.edu 22
South Suburban College South Holland Illinois www.ssc.edu 22
Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee Wisconsin www.wctc.edu 22
Advanced College South Gate California www.advancedcollege.edu 21
Casper College Casper Wyoming www.caspercollege.edu 21
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins Georgia www.centralgatech.edu 21
Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown Maryland www.hagerstowncc.edu 21
Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell Pennsylvania www.mc3.edu 21
Savannah Technical College Savannah Georgia www.savannahtech.edu 21
Buckeye Hills Career Center Rio Grande Ohio www.buckeyehills.net 20
Cape Cod Community College West Barnstable Massachusetts www.capecod.edu 20
Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie New York www.sunydutchess.edu 20
Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston Georgia www.gptc.edu 20
Laurel Technical Institute Sharon Pennsylvania www.laurel.edu 20
Midlands Technical College West Columbia South Carolina www.midlandstech.edu 20
Southeastern Community College Whiteville North Carolina www.sccnc.edu 20
Wayne County Schools Career Center Smithville Ohio www.wayne-jvs.k12.oh.us 20
Westmoreland County Community College Youngwood Pennsylvania westmoreland.edu 20
Yavapai College Prescott Arizona www.yc.edu 20
Treasure Coast Technical College Vero Beach Florida tctc.indianriverschools.org 19
Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome Georgia www.gntc.edu 19
Saint Paul College Saint Paul Minnesota www.saintpaul.edu 19
Southeast Technical Institute Sioux Falls South Dakota www.southeasttech.edu 19
Southern University at Shreveport Shreveport Louisiana www.susla.edu 19
Bakersfield College Bakersfield California www.bakersfieldcollege.edu 18
Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs Colorado coloradomtn.edu 18
Edmonds Community College Lynnwood Washington www.edcc.edu 18
Lakeland Community College Kirtland Ohio www.lakelandcc.edu 18
Lanier Technical College Gainesville Georgia www.laniertech.edu 18
Red Rocks Community College Lakewood Colorado www.rrcc.edu 18
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Mountain Home Arkansas www.asumh.edu 17
ATA College Louisville Kentucky www.ata.edu 17
Middlesex Community College Bedford Massachusetts www.middlesex.mass.edu 17
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos San Marcos California pmi.edu 17
Regional Center for Border Health Somerton Arizona www.rcbh.edu 17
Columbus State Community College Columbus Ohio www.cscc.edu 16
Edison State Community College Piqua Ohio www.edisonohio.edu 16
Illinois Central College East Peoria Illinois icc.edu 16
Kennebec Valley Community College Fairfield Maine www.kvcc.me.edu 16
Lorain County Community College Elyria Ohio www.lorainccc.edu 16
Polaris Career Center Middleburg Heights Ohio www.polaris.edu 16
Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla Washington www.wwcc.edu 16
Belmont College St Clairsville Ohio www.belmontcollege.edu 15
Brookline College-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.brooklinecollege.edu 15
Healthcare Career College Paramount California www.infotech.edu 15
Joliet Junior College Joliet Illinois www.jjc.edu 15
McLennan Community College Waco Texas www.mclennan.edu 15
Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin www.mstc.edu 15
Northcentral Technical College Wausau Wisconsin www.ntc.edu 15
Oakland Community College Bloomfield Hills Michigan www.oaklandcc.edu 15
Rend Lake College Ina Illinois www.rlc.edu 15
Shoreline Community College Shoreline Washington www.shoreline.edu 15
U S Grant Joint Vocational School Bethel Ohio www.grantcareer.com 15
Wayne County Community College District Detroit Michigan www.wcccd.edu 15
Athens Technical College Athens Georgia www.athenstech.edu 14
California Nurses Educational Institute Palm Springs California www.cnei.edu 14
Cape Fear Community College Wilmington North Carolina www.cfcc.edu 14
Carrington College-Tucson Tucson Arizona carrington.edu 14
Florida Panhandle Technical College Chipley Florida fptc.edu 14
Knox County Career Center Mount Vernon Ohio www.knoxtechnicalcenter.com 14
Laurel Technical Institute MEADVILLE Pennsylvania www.laurel.edu 14
Linn-Benton Community College Albany Oregon www.linnbenton.edu 14
Massasoit Community College Brockton Massachusetts www.massasoit.edu 14
National Polytechnic College Lakewood California www.npcollege.edu 14
Portage Lakes Career Center Uniontown Ohio www.plcc.edu 14
Rockingham Community College Wentworth North Carolina www.rockinghamcc.edu 14
Centura College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Virginia www.centuracollege.edu 13
Columbia Basin College Pasco Washington www.columbiabasin.edu 13
Gaston College Dallas North Carolina www.gaston.edu 13
Los Angeles ORT College-Van Nuys Campus Van Nuys California www.laort.edu 13
Northwest State Community College Archbold Ohio northweststate.edu 13
Platt College-Miller-Motte-Wilmington Wilmington North Carolina www.miller-motte.edu 13
Seattle Central College Seattle Washington www.seattlecentral.edu 13
Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville Georgia southernregional.edu 13
Tooele Technical College Tooele Utah www.tooeletech.edu 13
Brunswick Community College Bolivia North Carolina www.brunswickcc.edu 12
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Altoona Pennsylvania www.gactc.edu 12
Manhattan Area Technical College Manhattan Kansas manhattantech.edu 12
Mingo Extended Learning Center Delbarton West Virginia mingoadultlearningcenter.com 12
Otero Junior College La Junta Colorado www.ojc.edu 12
Piedmont Community College Roxboro North Carolina www.piedmontcc.edu 12
Rock Valley College Rockford Illinois www.rockvalleycollege.edu 12
South Dade Technical College-South Dade Skills Center Campus Leisure City Florida www.southdadetech.edu 12
South Georgia Technical College Americus Georgia www.southgatech.edu 12
Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Illinois www.swic.edu 12
Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training Marietta Ohio www.mycareerschool.com 12
Barton County Community College Great Bend Kansas www.bartonccc.edu 11
Central Texas College Killeen Texas www.ctcd.edu 11
Clovis Community College Clovis New Mexico www.clovis.edu 11
Florida Gateway College Lake City Florida www.fgc.edu 11
Lex La-Ray Technical Center Lexington Missouri www.lexlaray.com 11
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena Arkansas www.pccua.edu 11
Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont West Virginia www.pierpont.edu 11
Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College Miami Florida rmec.dadeschools.net 11
Coffeyville Community College Coffeyville Kansas www.coffeyville.edu 10
Mesalands Community College Tucumcari New Mexico www.mesalands.edu 10
South Central College North Mankato Minnesota www.southcentral.edu 10
St Luke's College Sioux City Iowa www.stlukescollege.edu 10
Indian River State College Fort Pierce Florida www.irsc.edu 9
Mohave Community College Kingman Arizona www.mohave.edu 9
Neosho County Community College Chanute Kansas www.neosho.edu 9
Palo Verde College Blythe California www.paloverde.edu 9
Pioneer Pacific College Beaverton Oregon www.pioneerpacific.edu 9
Riverland Community College Austin Minnesota www.riverland.edu 9
Ultimate Medical Academy-Clearwater Clearwater Florida www.ultimatemedical.edu/about 9
RIVEROAK Technical College Live Oak Florida rtc.suwannee.k12.fl.us 8
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Brecksville Ohio www.cvccworks.edu 8
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District Oberlin Ohio www.lcjvs.com/loraincountyadultcareercenter_home.aspx 8
Abdill Career College Inc Medford Oregon www.abdill.com 8
Advanced College-Stockton Stockton California www.advancedcollege.edu 8
Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria Minnesota www.alextech.edu 8
Brookline College-Tucson Tucson Arizona www.brooklinecollege.edu 8
California Institute of Medical Science Fresno California cims.edu 8
Davis Technical College Kaysville Utah www.davistech.edu 8
Everett Community College Everett Washington www.everettcc.edu 8
Great Falls College Montana State University Great Falls Montana www.gfcmsu.edu 8
Learning Bridge Career Institute Houma Louisiana www.lbcihouma.com 8
Monroe County Community College Monroe Michigan www.monroeccc.edu 8
Montgomery Community College Troy North Carolina www.montgomery.edu 8
Morgan Community College Fort Morgan Colorado www.morgancc.edu 8
Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls Minnesota www.northlandcollege.edu 8
Oakton Community College Des Plaines Illinois www.oakton.edu 8
Pima Community College Tucson Arizona www.pima.edu 8
Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt North Dakota www.tm.edu 8
Blackhawk Technical College Janesville Wisconsin www.blackhawk.edu 7
EHOVE Career Center Milan Ohio www.ehove.net 7
Halifax Community College Weldon North Carolina www.halifaxcc.edu 7
Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills Massachusetts www.massbay.edu 7
Niagara County Community College Sanborn New York www.niagaracc.suny.edu 7
Nicolet Area Technical College Rhinelander Wisconsin www.nicoletcollege.edu 7
Southwestern Community College Sylva North Carolina www.southwesterncc.edu 7
Athena Career Academy Toledo Ohio www.athenacareers.edu 6
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Iowa www.indianhills.edu 6
Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls Minnesota www.minnesota.edu 6
North Central Michigan College Petoskey Michigan www.ncmich.edu 6
Quincy College Quincy Massachusetts www.quincycollege.edu 6
Universal Healthcare Careers College Los Angeles California www.uhcc.edu 6
Washington County Community College Calais Maine www.wccc.me.edu 6
ATA Career Education Spring Hill Florida www.atafl.edu 5
Baker College Flint Michigan www.baker.edu 5
Carrington College-Phoenix East Phoenix Arizona carrington.edu 5
Community College of Denver Denver Colorado www.ccd.edu 5
Forrest College Anderson South Carolina www.forrestcollege.edu 5
Jackson College Jackson Michigan www.jccmi.edu 5
North Central State College Mansfield Ohio www.ncstatecollege.edu 5
O C Collins Career Center Chesapeake Ohio www.collins-cc.edu 5
Pike County Joint Vocational School District Piketon Ohio www.pikectc.org 5
Southern State Community College Hillsboro Ohio www.sscc.edu 5
Williamsburg Technical College Kingstree South Carolina www.wiltech.edu 5
College of the Albemarle Elizabeth City North Carolina www.albemarle.edu 4
Glen Oaks Community College Centreville Michigan www.glenoaks.edu 4
High Plains Technology Center Woodward Oklahoma www.hptc.edu 4
Metropolitan Learning Institute Rego Park New York www.gettraining.org 4
Tri-County Adult Career Center Nelsonville Ohio www.tricountyhightech.com 4
Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe Louisiana www.northshorecollege.edu 4
Bristol Community College Fall River Massachusetts www.bristolcc.edu 4
Career Quest Learning Center-Bay City Branch Bay City Michigan www.careerquest.edu 4
Carrington College-Mesa Mesa Arizona carrington.edu 4
Central Lakes College-Brainerd Brainerd Minnesota www.clcmn.edu 3
Centralia College Centralia Washington www.centralia.edu 3
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls Minnesota www.mnwest.edu 3
Northcoast Medical Training Academy Kent Ohio northcoastmedicalacademy.com 3
Quinebaug Valley Community College Danielson Connecticut qvcc.edu 3
River Valley Community College Claremont New Hampshire www.rivervalley.edu 3
South Arkansas Community College El Dorado Arkansas www.southark.edu 3
White Mountains Community College Berlin New Hampshire www.wmcc.edu 3
American National University-Youngstown Youngstown Ohio www.an.edu 2
North Arkansas College Harrison Arkansas www.northark.edu 2
Frontier Community College Fairfield Illinois www.iecc.edu 1
American National University-Dayton Kettering Ohio www.an.edu/locations/dayton-oh 1
Career Training Academy-Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.careerta.edu 1
Central Technology Center Drumright Oklahoma www.centraltech.edu 1
Lake Michigan College Benton Harbor Michigan www.lakemichigancollege.edu 1
Long Beach City College Long Beach California www.lbcc.edu 1
Miles Community College Miles City Montana www.milescc.edu 1
Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Massachusetts www.necc.mass.edu 1
Pontotoc Technology Center Ada Oklahoma www.pontotoctech.edu 1
Ridgewater College Willmar Minnesota www.ridgewater.edu 1
Seward County Community College Liberal Kansas www.sccc.edu 1
Southeast Arkansas College Pine Bluff Arkansas www.seark.edu 1
Spoon River College Canton Illinois www.src.edu 1
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Hybrid & Online Phlebotomy Programs

Phlebotomy schools offer a number of options for students seeking flexibility in their course schedules. Although programs require students’ presence during the clinical, laboratory, or externship portions of their programs, some schools offer the opportunity to complete their coursework remotely.

CLIMB Program at Portland Community College

For example, the CLIMB Program at Portland Community College (Oregon) offers a hybrid format combining 40 hours of clinical experience with five hours of self-directed study. This format can be ideal for people with families, full-time jobs, or other time-constraining circumstances.

The practical instruction involves training in venipuncture, specimen collection, and blood-borne pathogens. This program may be especially useful for those with some experience in a medical environment who are looking for more clinical experience and didactic training in venipuncture, skin punctures (e.g., finger sticks, heel sticks, etc.), and point of care testing.

Please note, however, that some experience in a medical facility is necessary for this program, which calls for 100+ supervised blood draws. This is part of the crucial training for the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Phlebotomy Technician National Registry Examination administered by the Board of Certification (BOC).

  • Location: Portland, OR
  • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 45 hours
  • Estimated Tuition: Resident ($123 per credit); non-resident ($258 per credit)

South Central College of Minnesota

Also, the South Central College of Minnesota provides a hybrid phlebotomy program. It offers a significant portion of the technical instruction online which can be completed before the laboratory work. Candidates for certification must work for at least one year as technicians in an accredited laboratory prior to taking the ASCP exam. This work must be at least 35 hours weekly involving both venipuncture and microtechniques.

Consisting of 16 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to phlebotomy; phlebotomy skills; phlebotomy internship; medical terminology; and interpersonal communication.

  • Location: Faribault, MN
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Within a year
  • Estimated Tuition: $3,175

Alvin Community College

Finally, at Alvin Community College (ACC), applicants must meet the following criteria prior to admission: have a high school diploma or GED; pass a criminal background check; complete the online application; show proof of specific immunizations and submit a completed health form documenting a physical examination; and have valid CPR certification.

This one-semester program also has a hybrid format with online classes and hands-on lab experience. There are a number of skills that are taught in this phlebotomy school including capillary skin punctures, specimen collection at different ages, patient identification, specimen labeling, ethics, and medical terminology. Most of the assignments and tests at ACC can be completed from home.

  • Location: Alvin, TX
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • Expected Time to Completion: one-semester
  • Estimated Tuition: In-district ($1,838.52); out-of-district ($1,908.52)
School City State Website grads (2018)
Santa Fe College Gainesville Florida www.sfcollege.edu 9
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska www.uaa.alaska.edu 4
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

Phlebotomy Curriculum - Core & Elective Courses

Phlebotomy schools have an array of formats, but most follow a familiar pattern. A majority of programs comprise a one-year (or less) curriculum to prepare students for the following responsibilities:

  • Draw blood from hospital patients or blood donors
  • Assist people through the process
  • Identify patients
  • Label specimens correctly
  • Enter samples into the organizational database
  • Clean and maintain laboratory equipment (e.g., test tubes, needles, vials, etc.)

Here are some of the most common phlebotomy classes in accredited programs:

  • CPR and first aid (note: some programs require CPR certification prior to acceptance)
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Phlebotomy (e.g., venipuncture, centrifuging and processing, etc.)
  • Urinalysis
  • Study skills
  • Medical terminology
  • Introduction to laboratory practices
  • Communication
  • Blood and cell composition
  • Blood sampling procedures
  • Medical law and bioethics
  • Diseases of the human body

These courses are generally completed in addition to clinical supervision or externship training.

Additionally, there are a number of online resources that can serve as refresher courses in phlebotomy practices. The University of Utah, for example, offers an online review of venipuncture and specimen handling procedures.

It should be noted that phlebotomy can be a stepping stone for careers in medical technology, medical assistance, and other related professions. Depending on one’s professional ambitions, it’s essential to check the program and course offerings at institutions prior to enrolling.

Phlebotomy Program Accreditation

Oftentimes, programs can be accredited by multiple overlapping bodies since there are a variety of regional, subject-specific, and distance-education accreditations.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) is one qualified organization that provides phlebotomy schools with accreditation. The process typically takes into account the curriculum, the faculty, and other standards of evaluation. A comprehensive list of the NAACLS criteria can be found on their website.

Before applying to a phlebotomy school, it’s important that students take into consideration the standards of their state. In California, for example, a special state certification is necessary in order to practice phlebotomy. There is a list of accredited phlebotomy programs provided on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.

Career Outlook

Phlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctor’s offices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021) projects that the phlebotomy profession will grow 22 percent between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average increase expected for all occupations (8 percent). That amounts to a projected 28,800 jobs.

There have been several reasons proposed for this increase in demand, including an aging population, an expansion of access to healthcare with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the improvement of preventative care and medical monitoring.

The BLS (May 2021) reports the following annual salary data for phlebotomists:

United States
Number of phlebotomists employed 132,750
Annual mean wage $38,450
10th percentile $28,990
25th percentile $30,430
50th percentile (median) $37,380
75th percentile $45,090
90th percentile $48,490
Career Facts Phlebotomist
Related CareersDental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Technician
Common Job TitlesPhlebotomist, Phlebotomy Technician
Technology & EquipmentAnatomical Human Mannequins, Blood Bank Refrigerators, Blood Collection Needle, Capillary Or Hematocrit Tubes, Non-Vacuum Blood Collection Tubes Or Containers, Phlebotomy Trays Or Accessories, Specimen Tube Holders, Unopette Equipment, Volumtric Pipettes, Medical Software (E.G., Donor Management System [Dms] Software, Latric Systems Mobilab Software, Meditech Blood Bank, Etc.), Spreadsheet And Word-Processing Software
Sourced from BLS, June 2018

Phlebotomy Licensing & Certification

As mentioned above, there are four states which require phlebotomists to be state-certified: California, Louisiana, Washington, and Nevada.

In California, for example, there are only six approved agencies for state licensing and certification:

  • American Certification Agency (ACA)
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
  • National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI)
  • National Credentialing Agency for Clinical Laboratory Service (NCACLS)
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Other states tend to have less strict criteria and accept certification from numerous national certification organizations. In order to ensure practice across a number of states, applicants can consider applying for licensure and certification through one of the above organizations.

There are various resources online to prepare students for national certification exams. The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers a reading list including the following volumes:

  • Garza, D. & Becan-McBride, K. (2018). Phlebotomy Simplified
  • McCall, R.E. (2020). Phlebotomy Essentials, Enhanced Edition
  • McCall, R.E. (2020). Phlebotomy Essentials Exam Review, Enhanced Edition
  • Garza, D. & Becan-McBride, K. (2018). Phlebotomy Handbook: Blood Specimen Collection from Basic to Advanced
  • Phelan, S. (2018). BOC Study Guide: Phlebotomy Certification Examinations
  • Warekois, R.S., Robinson, R., & Primrose, P.B. (2020). Phlebotomy: Worktext and Procedures Manual
Kimmy Gustafson
Kimmy Gustafson Writer

Kimmy Gustafson is a freelance writer with a passion for sharing stories of bravery. Her love for world-traveling began when her family moved to Spain when she was six and since then, she has lived overseas extensively, visited six continents, and traveled to over 25 countries. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French. When not writing or parenting she can be found kiteboarding, hiking, or cooking.