Because phlebotomy licensure is not nationally mandated or regulated, each state has its own laws and requirements for phlebotomists’ certifications. When considering a move across state lines, phlebotomists must be aware of whether the state they are moving to has license or certification reciprocation. Knowing the different phlebotomy requirements by state can prevent professionals from having to spend extra time and money on unnecessary recertifications or training programs.
Phlebotomists Moving to California
If a phlebotomist is moving to California from another state, California’s Department of Public Health 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. California’s Department of Public Health 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.
Academic requirements for California require a high school diploma or GED and official transcripts that show an applicant has earned credit for courses completed at an accredited university.
THE PHLEBOTOMY EXAM
Applicants must also have passed an approved phlebotomy national certification examination. The exam must have been provided by an approved organization to count towards licensure. These organizations include the American Certification Agency, the American Medical Certification Association, American Medical Technologists, the National Healthcare Association and others.
For the national certification exams, an applicant’s phlebotomy training must have occurred within the previous 5 years of work (1 year). The applicant must also have trained as a phlebotomy technician within the last 3 years. The training must include a successful performance of 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks on living patients. Any applicant must have a high school diploma or a GED.
Accepted training must have been obtained by a phlebotomy program accredited by the California Department of Public Health. Once certified, phlebotomists must renew in California every two years.
State-Specific Phlebotomy Requirements
Only three US states require licensing. The others require specific qualifications and education experience. The four states that require licensing include California, Louisiana, and Nevada.
Louisiana requires several components to its phlebotomy certification application. These components include a notarized oath or affirmation, a third party authorization (authorization for Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to gather information about the applicant), a photograph taken within the last 6 months (passport quality), and a background check. Additional components include a birth certificate or valid visa, verification of other health care certifications and licenses, and an online education course and quiz.
Nevada recognizes phlebotomists as “lab assistants” and must complete lab certification training. In contrast to California work experience requirements, Nevada does permit work in a blood bank to count as clinical experience.
When considering a move across state lines, one should investigate phlebotomy requirements by state. If a phlebotomist certified and licensed in California wants to move to New York, they will not find many restrictions. New York does not require phlebotomists to be licensed.
This is similar to phlebotomy requirements in Florida. Florida requires applicants to be at least eighteen years old in good health with either a high school diploma or GED. Although certification is not required, it is highly recommended. You can acquire national certification through an approved examination.
If moving to Washington, phlebotomists require a bit more in order to receive licensure. To become a phlebotomist in Washington, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, have received formal training at a post-secondary program at an accredited institution (or through an apprenticeship with a licensed healthcare practitioner) or through the military. The applicant must also complete a minimum of seven AIDS training hours and provide a list of all states in which one has applied for a phlebotomy credential (whether it was received or not). Applicants for licensure in Washington must also provide specific statements verifying sound physical health, mental health, no history of substance abuse, no history of felony convictions, and no history of disciplinary actions or loss of credentialing. Any statements made in the positive for any of these will require explanations.
In Texas, phlebotomists must provide documentation of a high school diploma or GED, pass a typing test with a speed of more than 25wpm, and demonstrate proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office programs.
In the Washington, D.C., phlebotomists must be certified. No phlebotomist will be hired without showing certification.
PhlebotomyU Clarifies Licensing Questions
Despite all of the varying phlebotomy requirements for each state, PhlebotomyU provides everything you would need to become certified and licensed. With a specialized course curriculum designed to give you the education and training you need fast, PhlebotomyU is a unique program for medical trainees. Interested in learning more about becoming a phlebotomist and helping people? Contact us today!
