How much does the NHA CPT exam cost?

Commonly reported around $117 — verify current pricing at nhanow.com.

What happens if I fail the NHA CPT exam in California?

NHA requires a 30-day wait before your 2nd and 3rd attempts, then a 1-year wait after a 3rd failure. This national policy applies in California the same as everywhere else.

California Phlebotomy Practice Test — Free NHA CPT Prep

Q: What is the NHA CPT exam format?

120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest), 2-hour time limit, passing score of 390 out of 500 (scaled). This is the same in California as every other state — NHA's exam is national.

Q: Does California require a separate phlebotomy license?

Yes. California is one of only 4 states that requires a separate Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate on top of national NHA certification.

Preparing for your NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam in California? Practice with 500+ free questions covering every domain on the real exam — no signup required.

Start Free Practice Test →

✓100% free✓No signup required✓500+ questions, instant results

California Phlebotomy Exam — Quick Facts

120

Exam questions

~$117

Exam fee

Required

State license

Retake policy: 30-day wait before your 2nd and 3rd attempts, then a 1-year wait after a 3rd failure (national NHA policy).

California licensing board →

Phlebotomist Pay in California

Full salary breakdown →

$26.94/hr

Avg hourly wage

$56K

Avg annual salary

+5.89/hr

vs national avg

What's on the California Phlebotomy Exam?

The NHA CPT exam covers five core domains — identical in California and every other state. Click any domain to open the study guide and practice questions.

Safety and Compliance

26% of exam

Patient Preparation

20% of exam

Routine Blood Collections

Try a California Phlebotomy Practice Quiz

Answer 10 sample questions — two from each domain — to see where you stand before exam day.

California Practice — 1 of 10

Which of the following scenarios describes an appropriate occupational exposure report, per exposure control protocols?

How to pass the phlebotomy exam in California

1Document 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks through a training program or supervised work experience
2Take our free diagnostic quiz to find your weak areas before exam day
3Study the domains where you scored below 70% using our study guides and flashcards
4Register for the NHA CPT exam — ~$117 fee, confirm at nhanow.com
5Complete California's Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate before you can legally draw blood

California Phlebotomy Exam — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHA CPT exam format?

120 questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest), 2-hour limit, 390/500 scaled passing score — the same nationwide.

Does California require a separate phlebotomy license?

Yes — the Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate.

How much does the exam cost?

Commonly reported around $117 — verify at nhanow.com.

What happens if I fail in California?

30-day wait before your 2nd and 3rd attempts, then a 1-year wait after a 3rd failure — national policy.

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.

Also prepare for hands-on competency

NHA certification requires documented venipunctures and capillary sticks performed under your training program's supervision — not a separate NHA-administered skills exam. Use our skills checklists to prepare.

View all phlebotomy skills checklists →

New to phlebotomy? Start here

Step-by-step guide to becoming a phlebotomist in California.

How to become a phlebotomist in California →

See full California phlebotomist pay breakdown

Hourly and annual wages, and how California compares nationally.

California phlebotomist salary →

Looking at neighboring states?

State licensure requirements and pay vary by state.

Nevada Phlebotomy →Arizona Phlebotomy →Oregon Phlebotomy →Washington Phlebotomy →

Ready to start?

500+ questions. Instant explanations. No signup needed.

Start Studying Free →