So, you’ve decided to obtain your National Phlebotomy Certification. While passing the NCPT Exam and achieving certification is not required to practice in the field, it is highly recommended in order to strengthen your credibility and lead to a preferable phlebotomist career. We shall examine the best methods of earning certification, the structure of the phlebotomy exam itself, and how to most effectively prepare.
The Path to Your National Phlebotomy Certification Test
The NCCT is a credentialing organization that administers the NCPT Exam. When you take the test, it will be directly through this business. In order to take the NCCT Phlebotomy Test, you will either pay $90, or $135. There are requirements you must fulfill to be qualified to take the exam. You must either have a full year of verifiable full-time experience as a Phlebotomy Technician Practitioner within the past five years, OR be attending (or have graduated from) a Phlebotomy Technician program from an NCCT eligible school.
Then, your specific price is determined by several factors. You will have to pay the full $135 if you are testing after six months of graduation from a Phlebotomy Technician program from an NCCT-eligible institute. However, if you are currently attending the school, or graduated less than six months ago, the fee is $90. If you meet the one-year experience requirement, the fee is $135, but if you finished NCCT Phlebotomy or an equivalent program while serving in the U.S. Military, the cost is $90.
When you schedule a NCPT test date, be sure to fill out and submit your application and documentation two weeks before the exam. There are more than 700 examination sites in the United States, so it should not be difficult to find a nearby location.
NCCT Phlebotomy Exam Format
Preparing for the NCPT Exam is a substantial time-commitment, so it is wise to understand the format of the test. There is a pencil and paper version of the test, as well as an online scheme. Almost all of the questions are multiple choice, however there are a few “Innovative Item Type” questions as well. The Phlebotomy Certification Exam consists of 145 questions, encompassing six categories:
- Quality and Professional Issues
- Infection Control and Safety
- Terms and Anatomy
- Orders and Equipment Selection
- Patient ID and Site Preparation
- Collection, Problems, and Corrections
Don’t fret, this NCCT Phlebotomy National Exam (both paper and online version) allocates two and a half hours to complete all of these questions. This gives you about one minute to think about every question.
How to Pass the National Phlebotomy Exam
Because the Phlebotomy Exam is criterion-referenced, there is not a definite passing score. This means that easier questions referring to basic phlebotomy-related knowledge which every minimally-qualified individual should know, will be worth more points. Harder, more specific questions will be worth less. Failing to answer questions does not save you points—when you are completely lost, give it your best guess. The NCCT offers special accommodations for those who require them. Download the request form here: https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/Accommodations%20Form.pdf
Unfortunately, there are many speculations that it has become harder to achieve NCPT certification over a recent 10-year span. In 2006 the pass rate was 87%, as compared to 2016’s 75%. The average score has decreased drastically as well. The good news: NCPT certification is that much more of a prestigious and exclusive accolade.
How to Prepare: The NCCT Practice Test
When it comes to passing the phlebotomy exam, the separation is in the preparation. The 20-30% that fails, usually do not take full advantage of all the available test-prep resources. The NCCT website offers a limited NCCT Phlebotomy Practice Test, where you can see what questions could potentially look like. They also provide a Detailed Test Plan which outlines each of the items you will be scored on in a brief, bulleted list.
You may also simply search on Google for community generated NCCT Phlebotomy Test Review material. This is a great way to get practice an abundance of practice questions, improving your test-taking ability in the process. There are superior methods of preparation, however.
Many individuals seeking NCPT certification will enroll in education and training centers prior to taking the exam. The usage of these programs has been proven to tremendously increase one’s chances at passing the NCPT exam. Most of these institutions will offer hands-on training with a focus on small class sizes and interactive education. Near the end of these programs, vast lists of NCCT Phlebotomy Test Questions will be provided with an emphasis on passing the exam with room to spare.
A Nationally Accredited Phlebotomy Training Program
Consider enrolling in PhlebotmyU to help pass your phlebotomy exam, while furthering your phlebotomist skillset. The education center is based in San Diego, and offers different class schedules that work for all agendas. Here, you can accomplish your goal of obtaining a CA Phlebotomy License. The Advanced Phlebotomy for CPT1 License Course is arranged for students seeking the CPT1 License, who already have at least 1040 hours of phlebotomy work experience. Additional courses are offered as well, such as Safe Venipuncture, and Blood Withdrawal. As a nationally accredited phlebotomy training program, PhlebotomyU effectively prepares its students with the knowledge they need to pass the NCCT Phlebotomy Test, and the skills they need to succeed afterwards including career services , a phlebotomy internship and phlebotomy license renewal.