How much does it cost to become a phlebotomist in California?

The NHA CPT exam fee is commonly reported around $117 (verify current pricing at nhanow.com). Training program costs vary by school.

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How to Become a Phlebotomist in California (2026 Guide)

Q: Does California require a separate phlebotomy license?

Yes. California is one of only 4 states (with California, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington) that requires phlebotomists to hold a separate state license — the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate — on top of national NHA certification.

Q: What happens if I fail the NHA CPT exam?

NHA requires a 30-day wait before your 2nd attempt and another 30-day wait before your 3rd attempt. After a 3rd failed attempt, you must wait 1 year before retaking. This policy is set nationally by NHA and does not vary by state.

Becoming a phlebotomist in Californiarequires a national certification exam (NHA CPT) that's the same everywhere in the country. California is one of only 4 states that also requires a separate state license — the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate. Average pay is $26.94/hr.

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California Phlebotomy — At a Glance

~$117

NHA exam fee

390/500

Passing score

Yes

State license required

$26.94/hr

Avg pay

California licensing board →

How to Become a Phlebotomist in California: Step by Step

1
Meet NHA CPT eligibility
Complete a phlebotomy training program within the last 5 years, OR complete 1-2 years of supervised phlebotomy work experience. Either way, you must document at least 30 successful venipunctures and 10 successful capillary sticks performed under supervision.
2
Pass the national NHA CPT exam
120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest), 2-hour time limit, passing score of 390 out of 500 (scaled). The fee is commonly reported around $117 — verify current pricing at nhanow.com. This exam and its content are identical in every state.
3
Complete the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate
Issued by CDPH. Requires a CDPH-approved training program (40 classroom + 40 clinical hours) plus a national certification exam (NHA CPT is one accepted option) — passing the national exam alone does not authorize you to draw blood in California; CDPH must issue the CPT I certificate first. Renewal: Annual (as of March 19, 2026); 3 CE contact hours/year.
4
Apply for your first phlebotomy position
With your NHA certification and Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate in hand, you can apply to hospitals, reference labs (Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp), blood donation centers (American Red Cross), and outpatient draw stations. Average pay in California is $26.94/hr.

California's State Licensure Requirement

Issued by CDPH. Requires a CDPH-approved training program (40 classroom + 40 clinical hours) plus a national certification exam (NHA CPT is one accepted option) — passing the national exam alone does not authorize you to draw blood in California; CDPH must issue the CPT I certificate first.

Phlebotomist Salary in California

Full salary breakdown →

$26.94/hr

Average hourly

$56K

Average annual

+5.89/hr

vs national avg

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a phlebotomist in California?

Complete a training program or supervised work experience (documenting 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks), then pass the national NHA CPT exam. California also requires the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate.

Does California require a separate phlebotomy license?

Yes — California is one of only 4 states that does.

What happens if I fail the NHA CPT exam?

NHA requires a 30-day wait before your 2nd and 3rd attempts, then a 1-year wait after a 3rd failure. This is the same nationwide.