Schools with Phlebotomy Classes & Programs

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.