Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) Certificate

Thank you for your interest in the California Limited Phlebotomy Technician certificate. Laboratory Field Services (LFS) requires applicants to submit documentation of academic coursework and clinical training or work experience to qualify for licensure.

»   Work experience in California as an unlicensed laboratory staff person will not be accepted as qualification toward any clinical laboratory license unless as a medical assistant performing phlebotomy in a physician’s office or clinic that is not also licensed as a testing laboratory. 

»   Phlebotomy experience in a blood bank cannot count towards on-the-job phlebotomy experience for certification. On-the-job experience must include blood collection for testing purposes from patients of varying ages, including pediatric and geriatric, and of varying health and obesity status.

Scope of practice

The Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) certificate authorizes you to do skin puncture blood collection only.

Academic requirements

• Provide official transcript showing graduation date from an accredited high school in the U.S.

OR

• Pass one of the following tests:
• General Educational Development (GED)
• High School Equivalency (HiSET)
• California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)

OR

• Provide official transcripts showing credit for general education courses completed at an accredited college or university. 

Non-US transcripts

All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by "Current Members" of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or "Endorsed Members" of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). This allows LFS to determine if your education is equivalent to a U.S. high school, college or university education. The evaluation service will send an evaluation of your educational institution and academic courses directly to LFS.

To obtain an application, instructions, and information, visit them on the web:

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)

• Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE)

If you are an applicant whose education, training, or experience is from a non-U.S. school, college, university, or clinical laboratory, please make sure that your name is printed in English on all your transcripts and supporting documents and that it matches your name on the application.

Training

• Your training must be obtained in a phlebotomy program accredited by the California Department of Public Health.

• 20 hours of basic didactic (classroom) phlebotomy training from a phlebotomy program accredited by the California Department of Public Health. You must upload the certificate of completion during the online application process.

• A minimum of 25 skin punctures that fulfill all sampling requirements of all clinical laboratory tests or examinations in a clinical setting on patients. You must upload a California Statement of Phlebotomy Practical Training signed by an MD, DO, PA, RN, CLB, CLS, or CPT.

Renewal

Once you receive your certificate you will need to renew it every two years. To renew, you must pay a fee and submit documentation of continuing education. For information about the renewal process please visit the LFS renewal webpage.

Resources

Helpful links

• Approved Phlebotomy Training Programs

• Letter of Phlebotomy Experience for California Certification (PDF)*

*If you are having difficulty accessing this document please contact LFS at lfsphlebotomy@cdph.ca.gov to request this information in an alternate format. 

Statutes and regulations

• California Business and Professions Code, Section 1246

• California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 1034. Certification of Phlebotomy Technicians

• California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 1035.1, Phlebotomy Training Program Requirements

The requirements listed may not be comprehensive.

How to Apply

Visit the LFS online application website to create an account and submit an application.

1. Select the phlebotomy certificate type for which you are applying from the menu on the application website.

2. A certificate of completion of a phlebotomy training program and the California Statement of Phlebotomy Practical Training must be uploaded during the online application process.

3. Transcripts must be original documents bearing the school, college, or university registrar's seal, sent directly to LFS from the office of the school, college, or university registrar. Request to have your transcripts mailed to:

Laboratory Field Services - Phlebotomy Program
850 Marina Bay Parkway, Bldg. P 1st Floor
Richmond, CA 94804        

*Incomplete application packages may be considered abandoned. All applicants whose applications have been abandoned who wish to re-apply must pay a new non-refundable application fee.

Documents you may need for your application

• Official transcript.

• NACES or AICE evaluation.

• Certificate of completion from an approved phlebotomy training program.

• Verification of practical training experience (California Statement of Phlebotomy Practical Training).

For additional information you may contact LFSphlebotomy@cdph.ca.gov.