Prior to becoming a phlebotomy technician, it’s very likely that you will have to successfully pass an exam for certification. Most jobs for the phlebotomy technician will require this certification, and there are a few things you can do to help you prepare for the exam to ensure the best chance of success.
Understanding the Exam
Most clinics, labs, and hospitals will require that you are certified as a phlebotomy technician by the ASCP, or American Society for Clinical Pathologists. The BOC, or Board of Certification, exam is broken down by categories, with each category having its own specific fees and requirements. The first step towards certification will involve deciding which category for which you will apply to be certified. For Technician Certification from the ASCP, there are five distinct categories, however, you will most likely only sit for the PBT, or Phlebotomy Technician, certification.
The exam itself will focus on six primary areas of competency as outlined below:
- Circulatory System Structure and Functions
- Venipuncture, Skin Puncture, and Arterial Puncture Specimen Collection
- Processing and Handling Procedures for Specimens
- Point of Care Testing
- Knowledge of Non-Blood Specimens, such as Urine and Stool
- Phlebotomy Laboratory Operations Knowledge
Qualification for the Exam
In order to be eligible to apply for this exam, you will need to have followed one of the six qualified paths acceptable by the ASCP. These are outlined as follows:
- Path 1: High school degree or equivalent and successful completion of a phlebotomy technician training program approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or NAACLS.
- Path 2: High school degree or equivalent and successful completion of an accredited two part structured and formal phlebotomy technician training program within the United States or Canada. This course must have been completed within the last five years.
- Path 3: High school degree or equivalent and a full year of full-time work as a phlebotomy technician in a qualified laboratory. This work experience must have been within the last five years.
- Path 4: High school degree or equivalent and a nursing (RN or LPN) or other qualified health care educational certification.
- Path 5: Current certification in another ASCP category such as MT/MLS or MLT
- Path 6: Current ASCP certification as a DPT along with a minimum of 100 venipuncture or skin puncture collections within the last 5 years.
Use the Available Study Guides
It is highly recommended that prior to sitting for your phlebotomy technician certification exam, you make use of the available study guides offered by the ASCP. Currently, they have several types of helpful guides available, including online practice tests and examination content outlines that will help you be well-prepared for the exam itself. These can be found directly through the ASCP web site.
By taking some time to properly prepare and study for your exam, you’ll be on your way to successful certification as a phlebotomy technician.
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