Schools with Phlebotomy Classes & Programs

“One thing most people don’t know about phlebotomy is the significant emotional and psychological aspects involved in the job. While the technical skill of drawing blood is crucial, it’s equally important to have a good bedside manner. We often encounter patients who are anxious or fearful about needles, and it’s our job to help them feel comfortable and reassured.”

– Sadie Skorjanc, AAS, Travel Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist, Aya Healthcare

Medical technology continues to advance, and people are living longer than ever. Several careers exist to meet the concurrent rise in demand for medical services. One such profession is phlebotomy, the medical science of puncturing a vein to draw blood or introduce fluids.

There are a variety of phlebotomy schools that prepare candidates for their certification exams and for rewarding jobs 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 also in communicating with patients and medical staff.

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 where the program is completed, and the accrediting body. Community colleges, technical schools, or vocational schools offer many programs. These postsecondary programs normally involve both classroom and laboratory portions, with courses such as anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Completing a supervised externship in a medical setting is also common.

Several organizations 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). 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 Created	11,000
Projected Job Growth	8%
Average Salary	$44,390
Low Salary	$34,860
Median Salary	$43,660
High Salary	$57,750
Entry-Level EDU	High school diploma or certificate

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something most people don’t know about phlebotomy?

Skorjanc: One thing most people don’t know about phlebotomy is the significant emotional and psychological aspects involved in the job. While the technical skill of drawing blood is crucial, it’s equally important to have a good bedside manner. We often encounter patients who are anxious or fearful about needles, and it’s our job to help them feel comfortable and reassured. Building that trust and connection in a short amount of time is both challenging and rewarding.

Plus, phlebotomists play a critical role in the healthcare team. The blood samples we collect are essential for diagnosing and monitoring various health conditions, so our work directly impacts patient care and outcomes. It’s a blend of technical expertise, empathy, and communication skills that makes this profession unique and fulfilling.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring phlebotomist student?

Skorjanc: One piece of advice I would give is to focus on developing strong interpersonal skills. The aspect of drawing blood is something you will learn with practice, but being able to connect with patients on a personal level is what truly sets a great phlebotomist apart. Patients often come in nervous or scared, and communicating on a personal level can make a huge difference in their experience.

Always approach each patient with kindness and patience, no matter how normal the draw might seem to you. This not only helps in building trust but also makes your job more rewarding; you’re playing a key role in their journey.

Accredited Phlebotomy Degree & Certificate Programs

A range of phlebotomy schools can help prepare a candidate 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, several 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 highest employment levels in this occupation: California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

California Phlebotomy Programs

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. The state approves this program and involves two courses in addition to a clinical portion. The first course, AH220, is a hands-on class involving blood drawing 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

Texas Phlebotomy Programs

Texas has the second-highest number of phlebotomists at 13,080.

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

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

Bucks County Community College

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

Students in this program will be prepared to work as phlebotomists at several healthcare 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.

The program consists of 17 credits and includes courses in medical terminology, basic human anatomy, medical law and ethics, and phlebotomy procedures and techniques. After completing 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

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

Hybrid & Online Phlebotomy Programs

Phlebotomy schools offer several options for students seeking flexibility in their course schedules. Although programs require students’ presence during their programs’ clinical, laboratory, or externship portions, 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

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 and involve both venipuncture and microtechniques.

The 16-credit 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

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. This phlebotomy school teaches a number of skills, 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

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.

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 doctors’ offices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025) projects that the phlebotomy profession will grow 8 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average increase expected for all occupations (4 percent). That amounts to a projected 11,000 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 2024) reports the following annual salary data for phlebotomists—the latest data available as of August 2025:

	United States
Number of phlebotomists employed	138,880
Annual mean wage	$44,390
10th percentile	$34,860
25th percentile	$37,540
50th percentile (median)	$43,660
75th percentile	$48,170
90th percentile	$57,750

Career Facts	Phlebotomist
Related Careers	Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Technician
Common Job Titles	Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Technician
Technology & Equipment	Anatomical 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

Phlebotomy Licensing & Certification

As mentioned above, four states 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