Free Phlebotomy Practice Test

Because there is no single recognized exam or program of study to become a Phlebotomy Technician and programs vary by state, candidates must choose the correct program to meet their state’s requirements.

For each pathway, there are a number of different ways candidates can qualify. We broke down each of the 6 pathways below:

1. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP Phlebotomy)

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) provides candidates with the Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) upon successful completion of the exam.

The exam itself includes 80 multiple-choice questions and candidates are given 2 hours to complete it. The six content areas on the PTC include:

• Circulatory System
• Specimen Collection
• Specimen Handling, Transport, and Processing
• Waived and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
• Non-Blood Specimens
• Laboratory Operations

In order to qualify to take the PTC candidates must meet one of seven possible routes for candidacy.

For example, the requirements for Route 1 are as follows:

1. Candidates must have earned a high school diploma or GED.
2. Candidates must have completed an NAACLS-approved phlebotomy program within the last 5 years.

For a complete rundown of all eligibility routes to see which one you may qualify for, use the ASCP Board of Certification eligibility assistant.

2. Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)

The Association of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) provides candidates with the Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) upon successful completion of the exam. The ASPT also requires members to obtain at least six hours of continuing education per year in order to keep the certification active.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, the following requirements must be met:

• One full year spent working as a part time phlebotomist
  OR
• Six months spent working as a full time phlebotomist
  OR
• Successful completion of an accredited phlebotomy technician training program which includes at least 75 documented successful venipunctures and 5 documented skin punctures
• A letter from a certified healthcare supervisor showing the candidate needs to take blood specimens regularly as part of the regular job function
• Current ASPT membership

3. American Medical Technologists (AMT Phlebotomy)

The AMT Phlebotomy Technician Exam offered through American Medical Technologists (AMT) includes 200 questions covering 8 topics:

• Obtaining Blood Samples
• Specimen Collection and Processing
• Time Management and Assignment Organization
• Professional Communications
• Clerical Skills and Duties
• Safety Standards and Procedures
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations
• Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology

In order to qualify to take the Phlebotomy Technician exam through AMT, candidates must meet one of two possible routes for candidacy.

For either route, candidates must have also completed at least 50 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures:

Route 1:

Graduation or eminent graduation from an accredited phlebotomy course which includes at least 120 clock hours. Candidates must have completed this phlebotomy course within the previous four year.

Route 2:

Completion of at least 1,040 hours of live work experience as a phlebotomy technician, sometime within the previous 3 years.

4. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI Phlebotomy)

The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT/MMCI) offers the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam, which includes 125 questions to be completed in 3 hours. These questions cover 6 topics of content, including:

• Quality and Professional Issues
• Infection Control and Safety
• Orders and Equipment Selection
• Patient ID and Site Preparation
• Collections
• Problems and Correction

In order to qualify to take the National Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam through NCCT, candidates must meet one of four possible routes for candidacy. These routes include:

• Current Student
• Graduate
• Work Experience
• Military

For more information on the specific requirements for each route, click here.

5. National Healthcareer Association (NHA Phlebotomy)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam includes 120 questions to be completed within 2 hours. These questions cover the following 5 content areas:

• Safety and Compliance
• Patient Preparation
• Routine Blood Collection
• Special Collections
• Processing

In order to qualify to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam, candidates must meet all of the following qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a health field training program covered within the NHA certification
• Completion of Registered Apprenticeship Program that is either:
  • In a health field covered by the NHA certification, or
  • Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor
• One year of supervised live work experience anytime within the past 3 years
• Documented successful performance of at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures.

6. American Medical Certification Association (AMCA Phlebotomy)

The AMCA Phlebotomy Technician Exam Certification offered through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) includes 100 questions and candidates are given 2 hours to complete them. These questions cover 5 content areas:

• Patient Care
• Patient ID and Site Prep
• Order and Equipment Selection
• Specimen Collection/Processing
• Safety and Infection Control

In order to qualify to take the Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam through the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA), candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• At least 30 documented venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures
• Completion of an accredited clinical program of study

It is important to use the appropriate Phlebotomy practice tests and study materials for the program and test your pathway requires.

Phlebotomy Test Administration

Depending on which Phlebotomy Certification Test your state requires, the Phlebotomy Test can be administered at one of hundreds of locations across the United States, and in some cases online.

Please check with your state’s requirements to see when and where your appropriate test will be administered

Phlebotomy Test Fees

Fees for taking the phlebotomy certification test vary based on which test you take and which route you take to qualify.

Some test fees are shown in the following table. Be sure to check with your state to see exactly which test you should be taking.

Since candidates are paying for their own phlebotomy certification exams, it is recommended that you utilize all available free phlebotomy practice tests and other resources.

Frequently Asked Questions