The exam
NHA CPT and ASCP PBT
Format, content areas and how the phlebotomy certifications compare.
NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Scored questions | 100 |
| Unscored pretest questions | 20 |
| Time allowed | 2 hours |
| Passing scaled score | 390 (scale 200-500) |
Figures are from NHA's CPT test plan and candidate handbook. The simulator is practice material and is not the official exam. Confirm current details with NHA. NHA website.
ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 multiple-choice, computer adaptive |
| Time allowed | 2 hours |
| Passing scaled score | 400 (scale 100-999) |
Figures are from the ASCP Board of Certification. Neither exam uses a fixed percentage-correct passing mark. Confirm current details with ASCP. ASCP Board of Certification.
Content areas
| Domain | Items |
|---|---|
| Safety and Compliance | 26 items |
| Patient Preparation | 20 items |
| Routine Blood Collections | 28 items |
| Special Collections | 12 items |
| Processing | 14 items |
| Area | Share |
|---|---|
| Circulatory System | 5-10% |
| Specimen Collection | 45-50% |
| Specimen Handling, Transport, and Processing | 15-20% |
| Waived and Point-of-Care Testing | 5-10% |
| Non-Blood Specimens | 5-10% |
| Laboratory Operations | 15-20% |
Study categories in the question bank
- Venipuncture
- Capillary Puncture
- Order of Draw
- Specimen Handling
- Anatomy
- Safety
- Pre-Analytical
- Quality Control
- Special Collections
- Regulations
Who certifies
The CPT is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the PBT by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Other phlebotomy certifications have their own issuers:
Compare certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) | American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification | $155 non-refundable application fee (per ASCP) | 3 years from issue date |
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Exam fee is set by NHA and shown when you register at nhanow.com | 2 years from issue date |
| Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) | American Medical Technologists (AMT) | $125 application fee, which AMT says includes the application, exam, and first annual fee | Maintained on a three-year cycle through the AMT Certification Continuation Program (CCP) |
| National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) | National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) | $119 exam fee (per NCCT) | See NCCT for the current certification and renewal cycle |
| State Phlebotomy Credentials (CA, NV, LA, WA) | California CDPH-LFS, Nevada DPBH, Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, Washington DOH | Set by each state agency; see the agency | Set by each state agency; see the agency |
Costs and validity reflect each issuer's posted policy; verify with the issuer before you register.
The mock examination in the app
Practise against a two-hour clock that keeps running. You can change answers and mark items for review until you finish, and look back over the result after you submit.
7 days free, then $9.99/month. Cancel anytime.