CNA to Phlebotomist: Training, Certification, and How to Switch
Phlebotomists earn a median of $45,230, $2,970 more than CNAs, after one of the shortest trainings in healthcare. You take a certificate program with supervised blood draws, then a national certification exam. Four states also require a state credential.
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Phlebotomist at a glance
- Training time
- 8–16 weeks
- certificate program with supervised draws
- Median pay
- $45,230
- +$2,970 vs CNA
- Program cost
- $1,000–$3,893
- at the four programs we checked
- Credential
- CPT, PBT or RPT
- plus a state credential in CA, WA, NV and LA
Sources: pay, BLS, phlebotomists. Cost, Cleveland Clinic and Weatherford College cost sheets. Credential, NHA, ASCP and AMT.
On this page
CNA vs. Phlebotomist: Pay, Training and Which Is Harder
Phlebotomists earn a little more, a median of $45,230 against $42,260 for CNAs (about $250 a month). The training takes a similar time. Phlebotomy is the narrower, harder-to-master skill, and CNA work is harder on your body.
| CNA | Phlebotomist |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay | |
| $42,260 | $45,230 |
| Training length | |
| 4–12 weeks | 8–16 weeks |
| Training hours | |
| At least 75 hours, the federal minimum | 90 hours at two colleges we checked, one of them plus an 80-hour externship |
| To qualify | |
| A state exam with a written and a skills part | 30 to 100 successful blood draws, depending on the certification |
| Typical training cost | |
| Varies by state, and often free through an employer | $1,000 to $3,893 at the four programs we checked |
| Main work setting | |
| Nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living | Hospitals, medical and diagnostic labs, physician offices, blood and plasma centers |
| Typical hours | |
| 8 or 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays | Hospitals and labs: nights, weekends and holidays. Physician offices and outpatient sites: mostly weekdays |
| Core clinical work | |
| ADLs (bathing, dressing, feeding), vital signs, repositioning | Venipuncture, finger and heel sticks, labeling and handling specimens |
| Time with each patient | |
| Hours per shift, often the same residents | A few minutes per draw, usually one visit |
| Physical demands | |
| Heavy lifting and transfers, with back and shoulder injury risk | Standing and precise hand work, little lifting |
| License or certification | |
| State CNA exam and registry | National certification, which most employers want, plus a state credential in CA, WA, NV and LA |
| Projected job growth, 10 years | |
| 3% | 7% |
Pay: BLS, nursing assistants and phlebotomists. Growth: BLS projections for nursing assistants and phlebotomists. Program hours and costs: the program pages linked in the cost section.
Which is harder, CNA or phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is harder to master, CNA work is harder on your body. Both programs are short, but to certify in phlebotomy you need 30 successful venipunctures and 10 finger sticks for the NHA CPT, or 100 unaided venipunctures on the ASCP structured-program route, and finding a vein on a dehydrated or anxious patient takes practice. Day to day, CNA work is the more physical job.
Can you be a CNA and a phlebotomist at the same time?
Yes. The two credentials do not conflict, and holding both makes you a candidate for hospital roles that combine bedside care with blood draws, often called patient care technician (PCT). BLS has no pay figure for the combination: your pay follows the job you are hired into.
Is CNA to Phlebotomist Worth It?
Fast answer
Yes, if you want a fast switch, a specific technical skill, or a move from bedside care to labs and donor centers. Phlebotomy is the shortest and cheapest pivot from CNA, and the raise is the smallest: about $2,970 a year at the median, against $22,140 for LPN and $55,290 for RN. It works best as an added credential or a first step, not as the big career change.
If you are burned out on bedside care but cannot commit to years of school, phlebotomy is the cleanest exit. Phlebotomists earn nearly the same as medical assistants ($45,230 against $45,690) after a fraction of the training, so unless you want the broader MA skill set, it is the faster way out of facility-based CNA work.
How does phlebotomy compare to other paths from CNA?
| Path | Training | Median pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| This guidePhlebotomist | 8–16 weeks | $45,230 | The fastest, cheapest pivot and a specific technical skill |
| Medical coder | 4–12 months | $51,140 | Leaving bedside care for desk work, often remote later |
| Medical assistant | 9–24 months | $45,690 | Clinic hours, a broader clinical and admin role |
| LPN / LVN | 12–18 months | $64,400 | A real raise and access to the nursing ladder |
| Surgical tech | 12–24 months | $64,650 | The operating room, on the surgical team |
| Ultrasound tech | 12–24 months | $96,590 | Highest non-nursing pay, less lifting |
| X-ray tech | 18–24 months | $80,110 | Stable imaging work with a clear credential ladder |
| Physical therapist assistant | 2 years | $68,380 | A licensed rehab role and a big raise, without nursing school |
| Registered nurse | 2–4 years | $97,550 | Maximum long-term upside and the broadest career |
Median pay: BLS national estimates for each occupation. Training: typical program length.
Who this path fits best
- CNAs who want the fastest and cheapest switch. A few months of training and a few thousand dollars at most, often less.
- CNAs whose employer trains phlebotomists. Hospitals and blood donation centers often train their own collection staff. Ask HR before you pay for a program.
- CNAs who want to move to outpatient or lab settings. Hospital draw stations, diagnostic labs, physician offices and donor centers, with far less physical care work.
- CNAs testing a healthcare pivot with little commitment. Add a credential, see how lab work feels, then decide on LPN, MA or more.
Who should probably pick a different path
Need a significant raise? LPN adds $22,140 a year over the CNA median. Phlebotomy adds $2,970.
CNA to LPN → 12–18 months · $64,400
Want the highest long-term ceiling? RN adds $55,290 a year over the CNA median and opens most healthcare ladders.
CNA to RN → 2–4 years · $97,550
Want a broader clinical and admin role? MA programs include phlebotomy, plus injections, EKGs, scheduling and EMR work.
CNA to Medical Assistant → 9–24 months · $45,690
Can you commit to about two years for the biggest non-nursing raise? Sonographers earn $96,590 at the median, after competitive admissions.
CNA to Ultrasound Tech → 12–24 months · $96,590
Want stable imaging work with a clear ladder? Radiologic technologists earn $80,110, and ARRT exams add CT, MRI and mammography.
CNA to X-Ray Tech → 18–24 months · $80,110
Drawn to the operating room? Surgical techs earn $64,650 on the surgical team, after far longer training than phlebotomy.
CNA to Surgical Tech → 12–24 months · $64,650
Phlebotomy programs are short and widely available. Compare options in your state:
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Do You Have to Be a CNA to Be a Phlebotomist?
No. You need a high school diploma or GED, a phlebotomy training program (or supervised work experience) and a set number of successful blood draws. A CNA helps you get hired, but no certification requires it.
| What you need | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | A high school diploma or GED. NHA also accepts candidates who will finish one within 18 months. NHA |
| Training or experience | A phlebotomy training program within the last 5 years, or 1 year of supervised phlebotomy work in the last 3 years (NHA CPT) |
| Blood draws | 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live people for the NHA CPT. 100 unaided venipunctures on the ASCP structured-program route |
| A state credential | Only in California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana. See state licensing |
Can a CNA draw blood?
Not as a CNA. Blood draws are not part of CNA training, so you need phlebotomy training first, plus the state credential in the four states that require one. With that training, a CNA can draw blood in a job that includes it, such as phlebotomist or patient care technician, within state rules and the job description.
Does your CNA experience count?
Not formally: programs do not credit CNA coursework, and no certification counts it. It is still a real advantage, because you start already comfortable with patients, infection control and the pace of a clinical floor, and employers hiring phlebotomists value that.
Why CNAs Pivot to Phlebotomy
The raise is small, about $2,970 a year at the median. The real reasons are everything else that comes with the role.
- The fastest, cheapest switch. The four programs we checked cost $1,000 to $3,893 and run 8 to 16 weeks. You can be in a new role within a few months.
- Paid training exists. Blood donation centers often advertise collection jobs with paid training and no experience required, and some hospitals train their own staff. Ask HR before you pay for a program.
- A different work setting. Hospitals employ 36 percent of phlebotomists and medical and diagnostic labs 33 percent. The rest work in physician offices, outpatient centers and services such as blood banks.
- Far less physical work. No bathing, lifting or transfers. The job is standing and precise hand work.
- Strong demand. BLS projects 7 percent growth over the decade, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 18,000 openings a year.
- A step to more. Phlebotomy leads to patient care technician, medical assistant and medical lab technician roles, or to nursing school.
What Do Phlebotomists Actually Do Day-to-Day?
They draw blood and prepare it for lab testing, transfusion or donation. What varies is the setting, the patient volume and the mix of procedures.
Core duties
| Duty | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Venipuncture | Drawing blood from a vein in the arm with vacuum tubes, a syringe or a butterfly needle. By far the most common procedure. |
| Capillary collection | Finger sticks for adults and heel sticks for infants, when only a small amount is needed or a vein draw is not possible. |
| Patient identification | Confirming the right patient, order and collection method before every draw. Labeling errors are a leading reason labs reject specimens. |
| Specimen handling | Labeling samples, keeping the chain of custody, spinning them in a centrifuge when required and packing them for transport. |
| Documentation | Logging draws in the lab system or EMR, with any complications or repeat draws. |
| Station setup and cleanup | Preparing the draw station, disposing of needles safely and cleaning between patients. |
How it differs by work setting
| Setting | Typical work | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital labs and draw stations | High volume and a fast pace, rotating between inpatient floors and outpatient collection. The largest employer, and where a CNA background helps most | Shifts, including early mornings |
| Medical and diagnostic labs | Patient service centers of lab companies, drawing outpatients all day | Mostly daytime |
| Physician offices and clinics | Lower volume, a broad range of patients, often other lab prep tasks too | Weekday hours |
| Blood donor centers | One procedure on healthy donors, strict protocol and a focus on the donor experience | Daytime, some weekends |
| Plasma centers | High-volume repeat donations from paid donors. Fast and repetitive, good for building speed early | Long opening hours |
| Mobile blood drives | Workplaces, schools and community centers, with setup and teardown as part of the shift | Varies, some weekends |
How Does Phlebotomy Training Work?
Most CNAs take a short certificate program with supervised draws, or train on the job, then sit a national certification exam. California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana add a state credential.
| Route | Offered by | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Noncredit certificate coursemost common | Community colleges and workforce programs | Trenholm State: 90 hours. Texarkana College: 90 hours plus an 80-hour externship. Often not eligible for federal student aid. |
| Credit certificate | Community and technical colleges | Weatherford College in Texas: one semester, 16 credit hours. Credit programs can qualify for Pell Grants. |
| Hospital program | Hospital schools of health professions | Cleveland Clinic: 80 classroom and lab hours, then 160 clinical hours. |
| On-the-job training | Hospitals, labs, blood and plasma centers | You train as an employee, often paid. Ask HR whether your employer has a phlebotomy track before you pay for a program. |
| State-approved program | Approved schools in CA, WA, NV and LA | Needed for the state credential. California asks for at least 40 classroom and 40 clinical hours. |
Courses cover anatomy, blood collection procedures, infection control, specimen handling and safety, plus a clinical externship with a minimum number of supervised draws.
Warning
A fully online phlebotomy program will not get you certified
Hybrid programs can teach the theory online, but every certification needs live draws: the NHA CPT requires 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live people, and California requires 40 hours of clinical practice. A program that promises a phlebotomy credential with no in-person clinical hours is not worth the money.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Phlebotomist?
Plan for 2 to 4 months from your first class to certification. The four programs we checked run 8 to 16 weeks.
| Program | Length | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Trenholm State Community CollegeAlabama, noncredit | About 8 weeks90 hours Program page | Four mornings a week |
| Texarkana CollegeTexas, noncredit | 12 weeks90 hours + 80-hour externship Course info | Two evenings a week and some Saturdays, so it fits around CNA shifts |
| Cleveland ClinicOhio, hospital program | 14 weeks80 hours + 160 clinical hours Schedule | Two days a week for 10 weeks, then 4 weeks of weekday clinicals |
| Weatherford CollegeTexas, credit certificate | 1 semester16 credit hours Cost sheet | Offered in summer, fall and spring |
| Certification exam | After the program | Schedule it once you finish. In CA, WA, NV and LA, apply for the state credential after you pass. |
Tip
The clinical part is the hard one to fit around work. Classroom hours often run in the evenings, but clinicals usually follow the lab schedule: at Cleveland Clinic the 160 clinical hours run Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, for four weeks. Plan your CNA shifts or time off for that stretch before you enroll.
How Much Does Phlebotomy Training Cost?
The four programs we checked cost $1,000 to $3,893. Employer training is often free, and the certification exam adds $125 to $155.
| Program | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital programCleveland Clinic, Ohio | $1,000tuition Tuition sheet | Books, supplies and the application fee are listed at $0. |
| Noncredit courseTrenholm State Community College, Alabama | $1,799 Program page | Tuition and textbooks for the 90-hour course. |
| Noncredit course with externshipTexarkana College, Texas | $1,865 Course info | Tuition and textbooks. Not eligible for federal student aid, but a payment plan is offered. |
| Credit certificate, in-districtWeatherford College, Texas | $3,893whole program Cost sheet | Tuition, fees, textbooks, background check and drug screen, and scrubs. $6,885 for out-of-state students. |
| Employer training | Often free | Some hospitals and blood centers train collection staff on the job, often paid. |
Costs from each program's published page or cost sheet. They change every year, so check the current one.
What it costs near you
These are examples from a few schools. Tuition depends on your state, the type of school and, at community colleges, whether you live in the district. Ask programs near you for their costs.
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Extra costs to plan for
| Item | Example cost |
|---|---|
| Certification exam | $125–$155AMT RPT $125, ASCP PBT $155 ASCP |
| NHA CPT exam | $129at Texarkana College Source |
| Background check and drug screen | $133at Weatherford College Source |
| Textbooks | $329at Weatherford College Source |
| Scrubs | $80at Weatherford College Source |
| State license | $40in Louisiana, only in the 4 states with a credential LSBME |
| Immunizations, TB test and CPR | Varies, if not already current |
Ways to cut the cost
| Lever | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Ask your employer first | The single biggest saver. Some hospitals and blood centers train their own staff, often paid. |
| WIOA funding | Ask your American Job Center whether phlebotomy training qualifies in your area, before you enroll. Find your center |
| Pell Grant | Up to $7,395 a year, but only for credit programs that qualify for federal aid. Many short noncredit courses do not. Federal Student Aid |
| Stay in-district | At Weatherford College the same program costs $3,893 in-district and $6,885 out of state. |
| State workforce scholarships | Some states fund short healthcare credentials directly. Ask your state workforce agency. |
Certification: CPT vs. RPT vs. PBT vs. PTC
Most states do not require national certification by law, but almost every employer wants it. Four certifications dominate, and most employers accept any of them.
| Credential | Who can sit | Draws required | Fee and renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPTNHA, Certified Phlebotomy Technician | A training program in the last 5 years, or 1 year of supervised work in the last 3 (2 in the last 5) NHA | 30 venipunctures, 10 capillary sticks | Renew every 2 years with 10 CE credits |
| PBTASCP, Phlebotomy Technician | A NAACLS-approved program, a structured program (40 classroom and 100 clinical hours), or 1 year of full-time work ASCP | 100 unaided venipunctures on the structured-program route | $155. Renew every 3 years through ASCP's maintenance program |
| RPTAMT, Registered Phlebotomy Technician | Training or work-experience routes AMT | Set by route | $125, including the first annual fee |
| PTCASPT, Phlebotomy Technician Certification | ASPT approves its own training programs and instructors ASPT | Set by ASPT | Renewal form and CE quizzes on the ASPT site |
Which certification should you pick?
For most CNAs, the one your program prepares you for. Short programs often prepare for the NHA CPT (Texarkana College's does), which asks for far fewer draws than the ASCP PBT. If your program is NAACLS-approved, or you may move into lab work later, the ASCP PBT is worth considering: ASCP also certifies medical lab technicians. Before you commit, search phlebotomy jobs in your city and see which certifications employers name.
Do Phlebotomists Need a State License?
In most states, no. California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana require a state credential on top of training, and everywhere else employers decide, usually asking for national certification.
Is phlebotomy a license or a certification?
Usually a certification. National certification (CPT, PBT, RPT or PTC) is voluntary under the law in most states, but employers expect it. A license is a legal permission from a state, and the four states below issue one for phlebotomy, each under its own name.
| State | Credential | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I), California Department of Public Health CDPH | Without experience: 40 classroom hours, 40 hours of clinical practice with at least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures, and a national exam CDPH approves |
| Washington | Medical assistant-phlebotomist, Department of Health WA DOH | A phlebotomy program at an accredited school, or training approved by a healthcare practitioner, then an application and fee. Renewed every 2 years |
| Nevada | Laboratory assistant, Division of Public and Behavioral Health NAC 652.4855 | A high school diploma, plus a national phlebotomy certification from an approved body (ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT and others), 6 months of approved training or 3 years of lab work |
| Louisiana | Phlebotomist license, State Board of Medical Examiners LSBME | A board-approved national exam, a transcript sent by your school and a $40 fee |
Rules change. Check your state's health department or licensing board before you enroll, especially in these four states, where the program must meet state rules.
How Much Do Phlebotomists Make? Salary and Job Outlook
A median of $45,230, $2,970 more than CNAs.
The lowest-paid 10 percent of phlebotomists earn under $35,780 and the top 10 percent over $58,780 (BLS). According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, phlebotomist jobs will grow 7 percent over the decade, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 18,000 openings a year.
| Where they work | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | 36% | $44,220 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 33% | $46,670 |
| Other ambulatory healthcare servicesincludes blood banks | 16% | $39,930 |
| Offices of physicians | 9% | $44,500 |
| Outpatient care centers | 2% | $48,030 |
Share of jobs and median pay by industry: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Pay also varies widely by state: BLS figures for every state.
Hospitals employ the most phlebotomists but are not the top payers: labs and outpatient care centers pay more at the median. Hospital and lab phlebotomists may work nights, weekends and holidays, and shift differentials can raise their total pay.
What does a CNA with phlebotomy certification make?
BLS has no figure for the combination. Your pay follows the job you are hired into: a phlebotomist role pays a median of $45,230, a CNA role $42,260. The certification matters most for hospital roles that combine both skills, often titled patient care technician, and as a step toward medical assistant or lab work.
What CNAs Often Underestimate About Phlebotomy
The training is short and the job is technical, but some parts catch new phlebotomists off guard. Knowing them early helps you decide, and helps you succeed once you start.
The volume is higher than most CNAs expect.
In a hospital draw station or a plasma center you may draw dozens of patients a shift. Speed, accuracy and consistency matter more than bedside rapport.
Missed sticks happen, and how you handle them matters.
Difficult veins, children, dehydration and nervous donors all make draws harder. Staying calm, trying a second site and knowing when to ask for help matter as much as the technique itself.
The work is repetitive.
Unlike CNA work, where every resident is different, phlebotomy is the same procedure all day. Some people find that calming, others find it monotonous. Know which camp you are in before you commit.
Patient anxiety is part of the job.
Plenty of adults are afraid of needles, and children and older patients are challenging in different ways. Your CNA background helps here, but the emotional energy is different from caregiving.
Pay has a ceiling without more education.
The top 10 percent of phlebotomists earn over $58,780. To keep moving up, most go into medical lab technician work, donor center supervision, medical assisting or nursing school.
Some settings mean odd hours.
Hospital phlebotomy often starts with early-morning inpatient draws, and hospitals and labs may schedule nights, weekends and holidays. Blood drives and donor center events can fall on weekends.
The physical load is low, but not zero.
Lots of standing, repetitive hand and wrist motion, and constant work around blood and needles, with the infection control that goes with it.
None of this should discourage you if fast, specific, technical work is what you want. It means phlebotomy is a specialty, not a broad healthcare role, and the people who thrive in it enjoy the precision and rhythm of the procedure.
Where Does Phlebotomy Lead Next?
Phlebotomy is a real job on its own and a natural step to lab work, broader clinical roles and nursing.
| Next role | Extra training | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Patient care technician (PCT) | Often employer training on top of CNA and phlebotomy skills | No BLS figure |
| Medical assistant | 9–24 months MA program, which includes phlebotomy | $45,690 |
| Medical lab technician (MLT)the most common lab step | An associate degree in clinical laboratory science BLS | $62,930lab technologists and technicians |
| Phlebotomy lead or supervisor | Experience, and sometimes a further certification | — |
| Donor center supervisor | Experience, and for some roles a bachelor's degree | — |
| LPN / LVN | 12–18 months LPN program | $64,400 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | 2–4 years, ADN or BSN | $97,550 |
Pay: BLS national medians. The lab figure covers clinical laboratory technologists and technicians together.
Medical lab technician is the usual next step for phlebotomists who want to stay in lab work and raise their pay. The CNA career paths overview compares every path from CNA side by side.
How to Find a Phlebotomy Program Near You
Compare phlebotomy programs in your state, then check each one against the steps below.
Phlebotomy program search
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Ask your employer first.
The highest-value step for CNAs. Hospitals, labs and blood and plasma centers sometimes train staff on the job. If you already work at one, ask HR about a phlebotomy track before you pay for a program elsewhere.
Check community colleges and public programs.
They run the most affordable programs. Credit programs can qualify for Pell Grants, and noncredit ones for WIOA funding through your American Job Center.
Choose a NAACLS-approved program if you want the ASCP credential.
The first ASCP PBT route requires a NAACLS-approved program. It matters most if you plan to move into lab work.
Be careful with for-profit career colleges.
Faster starts and flexible schedules often cost more for the same credential. Ask for the certification pass rate and the externship placement rate in writing.
In CA, WA, NV or LA, confirm the state rules.
The program must meet your state's requirements for the state credential, or you will have to train again.
What to ask before enrolling
- Is this program approved by my state, where approval is required?
- Is it NAACLS-approved? (It matters for the ASCP PBT.)
- Which national certification exam does it prepare me for?
- What is the first-attempt pass rate on that exam?
- How is the externship arranged, and how many supervised draws does it include?
- Are evening or weekend classes available for working CNAs?
- Is the program eligible for federal aid or WIOA funding?
- Does my CNA license give me admission preference or a discount?
- In CA, WA, NV or LA: does it meet the state credential rules?
Get the answers in writing. A program that cannot give you pass and placement rates is not worth a premium.
Other CNA Career Paths
Every other guide in this series, shortest training first.
| Career path | Training | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| CNA to Medical Coder →Turn patient records into billing codes. Off the floor, and often remote with experience. | 4–12 months | $51,140 |
| CNA to Medical Assistant →Clinical and front-desk work in clinics, mostly weekday hours. | 9–24 months | $45,690 |
| CNA to LPN →Give medications and wound care. The first licensed nursing step. | 12–18 months | $64,400 |
| CNA to Surgical Tech →Set up the operating room and pass instruments on the surgical team. | 12–24 months | $64,650 |
| CNA to Ultrasound Tech →Scan patients with ultrasound. The highest pay outside nursing. | 12–24 months | $96,590 |
| CNA to X-Ray Tech →Position patients and take diagnostic X-rays, with a clear ladder to CT and MRI. | 18–24 months | $80,110 |
| CNA to PTA →Help patients regain movement under a physical therapist. A licensed role with a big raise. | 2 years | $68,380 |
| CNA to RN →The biggest raise and the widest ladder, through an ADN or BSN. | 2–4 years | $97,550 |
Pay: BLS national medians. Training: typical program length. All CNA career paths, compared →
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Phlebotomist
Who makes more, a CNA or a phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists, by about $2,970 a year at the median: $45,230 against $42,260 for nursing assistants (BLS). That is about $250 a month. The gap is small, so choose phlebotomy for the work and the speed of the switch, not the raise.
Is phlebotomy harder than CNA?
The training takes a similar time, but the skill is narrower and harder to master. To certify, you need 30 successful venipunctures and 10 finger sticks for the NHA CPT, or 100 unaided venipunctures on the ASCP structured-program route. CNA work is harder on your body: lifting, transfers and hours of personal care, against standing and precise hand work.
Can you be a CNA and a phlebotomist at the same time?
Yes. The two credentials do not conflict, and holding both makes you a candidate for hospital roles that combine bedside care with blood draws, often called patient care technician (PCT). In California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana you also need the state phlebotomy credential to draw blood.
Do you have to be a CNA to be a phlebotomist?
No. The NHA CPT exam asks for a high school diploma or GED, a phlebotomy training program or a year of supervised phlebotomy work, and 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live people. A CNA helps you get hired, but no certification requires it.
Can a CNA draw blood?
Not as a CNA. Blood draws are not part of CNA training, so you need phlebotomy training first, plus the state credential in California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana. With that training, a CNA can draw blood in a job that includes it, such as phlebotomist or patient care technician, within state rules and the job description.
How long does it take to go from CNA to phlebotomist?
Usually 2 to 4 months. The programs we checked run 8 to 16 weeks: Trenholm State Community College in Alabama runs its 90-hour course over about 8 weeks, Texarkana College in Texas takes 12 weeks including an 80-hour externship, and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio 14 weeks. Then you sit a national certification exam. California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana add a state application.
How much does a phlebotomy program cost?
From $1,000 to $3,893 at the four programs we checked. Cleveland Clinic charges $1,000 in tuition, Trenholm State Community College $1,799 and Texarkana College $1,865 with textbooks, and Weatherford College in Texas $3,893 in-district for a one-semester credit program ($6,885 out of state). The certification exam is extra: ASCP charges $155 and AMT $125. Many short noncredit courses do not qualify for federal student aid, so ask your employer and your American Job Center about funding first.
Does my CNA certification count toward phlebotomy training?
Not formally. Phlebotomy programs are a separate curriculum with their own classroom and clinical hours, and CNA coursework does not transfer. Your CNA background is still a real advantage: you already have clinical comfort, infection control training and patient communication skills, and employers hiring phlebotomists value that.
How much more do phlebotomists earn than CNAs?
About $2,970 a year at the median: $45,230 for phlebotomists against $42,260 for nursing assistants (BLS). The top 10 percent of phlebotomists earn over $58,780. For a bigger raise, LPNs earn $22,140 more than CNAs at the median and RNs $55,290 more.
Do I need state licensing to work as a phlebotomist?
In California, Washington, Nevada and Louisiana, yes: California issues the CPT I certificate, Washington a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential, Nevada a laboratory assistant certificate and Louisiana a phlebotomist license. Most other states have no phlebotomy license, but most employers want a national certification such as CPT (NHA), PBT (ASCP), RPT (AMT) or PTC (ASPT).
What is the difference between CPT, RPT, PBT, and PTC?
They are four national phlebotomy certifications from four organizations. CPT (NHA) is a common entry-level credential: a training program or a year of supervised work, plus 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks. PBT (ASCP) asks for a NAACLS-approved program, a structured program with 100 unaided venipunctures, or a year of full-time work, and ASCP also certifies lab technicians, which helps a later move into lab work. RPT (AMT) has training and work-experience routes. PTC (ASPT) is the smallest. Most employers accept any of them, so take the one your program prepares you for.
Can I do phlebotomy training online?
Only the theory. Some hybrid programs teach anatomy, collection procedures, infection control and specimen handling online, but the draws cannot be done online: the NHA CPT requires 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live people, and California requires 40 hours of clinical practice. A fully online program will not get you certified.
Can I keep working as a CNA while I train?
Yes, during the classroom part. Many noncredit programs meet in the evenings: Texarkana College meets two evenings a week plus some Saturdays. The clinical part is harder to fit around shifts: the 160 clinical hours at Cleveland Clinic run Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, for four weeks. Talk to your CNA employer about your schedule before you enroll. Our CNA jobs page lists openings near you, with a part-time filter.
Is phlebotomy a good career move from CNA?
It depends on what you want. For the fastest and cheapest switch, a specific technical skill, or a move from bedside care to labs and donor centers, yes. Phlebotomists earn a median of $45,230, $2,970 more than CNAs. For a much bigger raise, LPN or RN is the better target, and for a broader clinical role, medical assistant training includes phlebotomy plus many other skills. Many CNAs use phlebotomy as a step before a bigger move.
What is the job outlook for phlebotomists?
Good. BLS projects 7 percent employment growth for phlebotomists over the decade, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 18,000 openings a year. Hospitals and medical and diagnostic laboratories employ most phlebotomists.
Information accuracy: training requirements, costs and pay change. Check the details with the program and your state before you decide. If you spot a mistake, let us know.