Out-of-State Phlebotomy Course for California
Are you a phlebotomist in another State preparing to work in California? Whether you’re a California resident or not, this online course is for you!
If you are a phlebotomist in another State and are planning on moving to California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires applicants to provide documentation of both academic coursework and clinical training and/or work experience in order to be licensed in California.
California’s requirements for phlebotomists include specific mandates. For instance, forensic, academic, veterinary, biotech/pharmaceutical, or research experience will not qualify as work experience for California certification. If applications have worked in a blood bank, that experience will also not count for licensure. CDPH only accepts on-the-job experience that includes blood collection solely for testing purposes.
To provide on-the-job experience documentation, the medical director of the laboratory of the applicant’s employment must be either a licensed medical doctor, licensed osteopathy doctor, or a licensed clinical laboratory bioanalyst. The medical director must provide a written certification that the applicant’s experience occurred using the approved form.
California also includes three levels of phlebotomy certification: Limited Phlebotomy Technician, Certified Phlebotomy Technician I, and Certified Phlebotomy Technician II.
1040 hours or more of prior on-the-job phlebotomy experience
PhlebotomyU’s Phlebotomy Advanced Course designed for individuals with a minimum of 1040 hours (equivalent to 6 months, full time) of on-the-job phlebotomy specific experience in the last 5 years. Note, the CDPH requires individuals to take a phlebotomy course from a CDPH approved school — which we are.
Note, in order to be eligible for the Advanced Course, you will need to provide the following prerequisites:
1. Proof of at least a U.S. high school education (i.e. high school or college transcript or GED).
2. Copy of your government issued photo ID (i.e. Driver’s License).
3. Signed Letter of Experience (also attached) from your previous employer where you obtained your on-the-job phlebotomy experience.
4. The Letter of Experience must be signed by a MD, DO or CLB associated with a valid CLIA laboratory.
5. Note, the CDPH and other certifying agencies reserve the right to verify your work experience and determine eligibility.
PhlebotomyU does not further investigate nor is responsible to confirm your prior work experience is applicable to the CDPH requirements. According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website, the agency that issues the CPT I license:
“Work experience in California as an unlicensed laboratory staff person will not be accepted as qualification toward any clinical laboratory license. Please note that biotech/pharmaceutical, forensic, academic, veterinary, research, and student laboratory experience cannot count as work experience or training for any clinical license.
Phlebotomy experience in a blood bank cannot count towards on-the-job phlebotomy experience for certification. On-the-job experience must include blood collection for testing purposes from patients of varying ages, including pediatric and geriatric, and of varying health and obesity status.”
For your reference, we have also included a link to the CDPH/LFS website that contains all the requirements to obtain a CPT I license.
Looking to become a licensed phlebotomist in California, but don’t have the required experience? Review our CPT I course for more information.
The cost of the course is $700. Upon enrollment there is a $250.00 non-refundable registration fee that must be paid in advance to guarantee your seat in the class. This will be deducted from the total course cost leaving you a remaining balance of $450 which is due on the first day of class.
If you would like to enroll in our program, please provide the following to get started.
1. Complete the online registration form.
2. Provide the $250 non-refundable registration fee.
3. Copy of your high school or accredited college transcript or GED.
4. Signed Letter of Experience.