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Information about Phlebotomy Training Programs

Thank you for your interest in California approval of phlebotomy training programs.

A phlebotomy training program conducts phlebotomy courses for the purpose of training individuals in phlebotomy and preparing them for California certification as phlebotomists under the provisions of Chapter 3, Division 2 of the California Business and Professions Code. Phlebotomy training programs operating in California must be approved by Laboratory Field Services in the California Department of Public Health.

To obtain approval, the phlebotomy training program director must submit an application (link to LAB 180) with required documentation. Verification may include an on-site inspection.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please make sure your program meets the California requirements listed below and follow the instructions for completing the application.
 

Requirements for approval of a Phlebotomy Training Program

The director of the program must submit an application (LAB 180) and supporting documents. See below for instructions on how to complete and submit an application.

A phlebotomy training program must be offered by:

  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (link to NAACLS)

  • A college or university accredited by WASC or affiliate

  • California Adult Education or Regional Occupational Program (ROP)

  • Private, post-secondary program or occupational program approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (link to BPPE)

  • United States of America military medical laboratory specialist program

  • California licensed clinical laboratory 
     

A phlebotomy training program must be directed by:

  • Licensed physician and surgeon (MD or DO)

  • Licensed physician assistant (PA)

  • Registered nurse (RN)

  • Person licensed under Chapter 3 of the California Business and Professions Code.
     

Each person providing instruction must be licensed or certified in California and must be able to provide a copy of his or her license or certification as:

  • Physician and surgeon (MD or DO)

  • Physician assistant (PA)

  • Registered nurse (RN)

  • Person licensed under Chapter 3 of the California Business and Professions Code

  • Respiratory care practitioner (RCP) with 2 years' experience in the previous 5 years

  • Certified phlebotomy technician (CPT I or CPT II) with 3 years of experience in the previous 5 years.
     

A training program must provide 40 hours of didactic instruction and submit a curriculum for didactic instruction that includes:

  • Basic phlebotomy curriculum (20 hours)

    • Basic infection control, universal precautions and safety

    • Basic anatomy and physiology of body systems with emphasis on the circulatory system, and appropriate medical terminology

    • Proper identification of patient and specimens and the importance of accuracy in overall patient care

    • Proper selection and preparation of skin puncture site, including selection of antiseptic

    • Blood collection equipment, types of tubes and additives, proper order of draw when additives are required, and special precautions

    • Post-puncture care

    • Appropriate disposal of sharps, needles, and waste

  • Advanced phlebotomy curriculum (20 hours)

    • Advanced infectious disease control and biohazards

    • Anti-coagulation theory

    • Knowledge of pre-analytical sources of error in specimen collection, transport, processing, and storage

    • Anatomical site selection and patient preparation

    • Risk factors and appropriate responses to complications that may arise from phlebotomy

    • Recognition of problems in test requisitions, specimen transport, and processing, and corrective actions to take

    • Application of basic concepts of communication, interpersonal relations, stress management, professional behavior, ethics, and legal implications of phlebotomy

    • Quality assurance in phlebotomy necessary to provide accurate and reliable laboratory test results

    • Legal issues related to blood collection
       

A training program must provide 40 hours of practical instruction in a clinical setting that provides access to patients whose blood is being tested by a clinical laboratory. The program must submit a curriculum for practical instruction in a clinical setting that includes:

  • Selection of blood collection equipment appropriate to test requisition

  • Preparation of a patient and infection control

  • Skin punctures for testing purposes from patients of varying ages, including pediatric and geriatric, and of varying health and obesity status

  • Venipunctures from patients of varying ages, health, and obesity status

  • Post-puncture care

  • Processing of blood containers after collection, including centrifugation

  • Proper disposal of needles, sharps, and medical waste

  • Practical examination showing evidence of successful completion of the above curriculum

  • In addition, the program must ensure that

  • Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) students complete 25 skin punctures

  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) students complete in at least 40 hours a minimum of 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures and observe arterial punctures.
     

A training program must provide a certificate of completion to each student who successfully completes the program and submit a sample copy. The certificate must be signed by the director of the program and must include:

  • Name and address of the didactic training program

  • Name of the student

  • Statement of satisfactory completion of the program

  • Hours for each course (basic didactic, advanced didactic, and practical) of instruction

  • Dates that training began and ended

  • Signature of the program director

 

Renewals, Changes, and Updates

Renewal of Approval

Approval is valid for two years. You must file a renewal application at least 60 days prior to the end of your program's approval period.

Failure to meet the requirements and renew will be cause for revocation of approval.

To renew your program's approval, complete the Renewal Application for Phlebotomy Training Program (LAB 180R). Please contact LFS  at lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov to request a copy of the application.

 

Requirements for Phlebotomy Training Program renewal

  • Name and address of the training program

  • Name and license number of each director

  • Name and license or certificate number of each instructor

  • Name(s) and location(s) of all didactic and practical instruction sites

  • Curriculum and instructional objectives, including hours spent at each activity

  • Schedule of didactic (basic and advanced) and practical instruction for the next 24 months

  • Listing of students who completed its program and the total number of students who enrolled in its program in the previous approval period

  • Signature of the director(s)

  • Date of the application for renewal

 

Changes and Updates to a Training Program

The training program must notify the department in writing of any of the following changes in information or materials. Send an email requesting approval for each change to LFS at lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov.

  • Change of address of the phlebotomy training program - requires approval prior to change.

  • Change in the phlebotomy training program curriculum - requires approval prior to change.

  • Change in didactic or practical training site locations - requires approval prior to change.

  • Changes to certificate of completion - require approval prior to change.

  • Change of ownership or director - submit within 30 days after the change has occurred.

  • Change of ownership requires the new owner to submit a new application package, complete with form LAB 180.

You may contact the Phlebotomy Training School Program by sending an email to lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov.

  

How to Apply for Approval

A complete application for approval as a phlebotomy training program must include the following:

Application form LAB 180 and:

  • Name and address of the training program

  • Locations of all sites where didactic and practical instruction occur

  • Name and license number of each director of the program

  • Name, license number or certificate number, experience in phlebotomy, and evidence of satisfactory performance on a phlebotomy certification examination administered by a department-approved certifying organization with departmental approval for every person who provides instruction or supervises

  • List of equipment, supplies, and educational materials used for instruction

  • Curriculum and instructional objectives, including hours spent at each activity 

Attachments:

  • BPPE approval letter with school code number and date

  • List of equipment, supplies, and educational materials used for instruction

  • Curriculum and instructional objectives for didactic and practical programs, including hours spent at each activity

  • Copy of policies and procedures that ensure the safety of students and staff members

  • Working agreement listed in the same order as the application for every practical training site that includes:

  • An active CLIA number and California license or registration number

  • If the laboratory has additional collection sites, a list of all collection sites with addresses, verified by the facility's staff in writing.

  • The signature of the assigned representative of the laboratory where student completed externship

  • Copy of certificate of completion issued to students

  • List of proposed courses to be offered in the next 24 months, with course start and end dates and tentative course schedules 

  

Laboratory Field Services (LFS) time periods for processing an application:

LFS considers an application to have been abandoned by an applicant who fails to respond to the department's request to submit specific information or documentation within 30 days of notification.

  • The median time for processing an application is 90 days;

  • The minimum time for processing an application is 30 days;

  • The maximum time for processing an application is 150 days.

 

Documents you will need to complete the application process

  • BPPE approval letter (School code number and date should be included on letter.)

  • List of equipment, supplies, and educational materials used for instruction.

  • Curriculum and instructional objectives, including lesson plans and hours spent at each activity, both didactic and practical.

  • Copy of policies and procedures that ensure the safety of students and staff members.

  • Working agreement for each clinical practical training site or location as listed on the application (page 3).

  • Working agreement for the proper and appropriate disposal of needles, sharps, and hazardous biological materials.

  • Methods for documenting competency assessment of each student.

  • Copy of the certificate issued to each phlebotomy certification category offered by the program.

  • List of scheduled/proposed training programs for the next 24 months, with tentative training hours, start, and end dates.

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