What Is the Phlebotomy Certification Exam (CPT)?
The Phlebotomy Certification Exam, often called the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, is a standardized test that evaluates the knowledge and skills of hopeful candidates to become certified phlebotomy technicians.
Phlebotomy technicians are healthcare professionals responsible for drawing blood from patients for medical testing, transfusions, research, or blood donations. The certification is recognized by healthcare institutions nationwide and is often a requirement for employment.
The 3 Best Phlebotomy National Exam (CPT) Study Guides
Success hinges on preparation, but not all study guides or preparation materials are created equally. So before you invest in your prep materials, be sure the quality is up to par.
These study guides stand out head and shoulders above the rest as far as quality and similarity to the actual CPT examination.
#1 – NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Study Guide | $50
The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Study Guide (Printed) 2.0 is a comprehensive resource designed by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to prepare candidates for the CPT exam.
What’s Inside
The study guide spans 184 pages and includes six chapters that cover all critical areas of phlebotomy, including:
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Phlebotomy Fundamentals
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Safety and Compliance
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Patient Preparation
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Routine Blood Collections
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Special Collections
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Processing Specimens
Each chapter is supplemented with practice questions, a glossary for terms, case studies, and summary sections to reinforce learning and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the material.
Who Makes It
This study guide is produced by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a well-respected organization in the healthcare certification field. The NHA is the authority responsible for creating the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam.
User Reviews
Users seem to agree that the NHA CPT study materials are useful in helping them prepare for the phlebotomist certification exam.
“I bought the NHA CPT practice tests and found them to be extremely useful. I passed the exam with a 429 and recognized many of the questions from the practice tests.” – Reddit User
#2 – Free NHA Study Guide for Phlebotomy Technician
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) also offers a free Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Study Guide for those preparing for the CPT exam. It’s designed to align with the exam’s requirements, though not as in-depth as NHA’s paid version.
What’s Inside
You can get a lot out of this free study guide—it includes practice materials and covers essential topics and skills necessary for phlebotomy professionals, including:
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Phlebotomy fundamentals and the profession’s scope.
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Detailed anatomy and physiology relevant to phlebotomy.
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The process of hemostasis, site selection for venipuncture and the venipuncture procedure itself.
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Complications associated with phlebotomy and how to address them.
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Quality assurance, specimen handling and considerations before performing procedures.
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Additional sections on safety, legal considerations and emergency first aid.
Who Makes It
The free version of the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Study Guide is provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
User Reviews
Users are pleased overall with the quality of the free study guide. Here’s a detailed review from a test taker who used it with success.
“So NHA has a study guide that you can buy through their website; I’m broke, though, soooo I googled, and here’s a pdf of it. I read this a bunch…What I also used was Quizlet, search for “NHA phlebotomy.”
There are tons! Another app I used and feel like helped a lot was Phlebotomy. (This app does require a subscription, but it has a free trial; that’s what I used.) This practice test was super helpful; I did it a bunch of times.
This YouTube video is freaking amazing and seriously goes over everything you need to know. Tons of comments from people who watched it and passed their exams, myself included.
If you can afford the official practice tests from NHA, definitely do that, too. A lot of people say they’re really helpful. If you’re like me or just want other means to study, hopefully this helps somebody. Don’t stress, you got this!” –Reddit User
#3 – Mometrix Phlebotomy Exam Secrets Study Guide | $39.99
Mometrix’s Phlebotomy Exam Secrets Study Guide is a comprehensive resource of study lessons. It offers a step-by-step guide to mastering complex subjects for the exam, focusing on essential knowledge and test-taking strategies.
What’s Inside
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Interactive practice test questions.
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Strategies for guessing to your advantage.
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Techniques to narrow down answer choices.
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Advice for tackling tough questions.
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Comprehensive reviews of all exam sections, including phlebotomy principles, medical terminology, and more.
Who Makes It
Created by Mometrix Test Preparation, this study guide results from extensive research by experts in phlebotomy certification. Mometrix is known for its targeted, effective study materials across various professional and academic exams.
User Reviews
The guide is praised for its practical tips, in-depth reviews, and accessible language.
“My name is Chris. I used the study guide for five days. The study guide made the test so easy to understand. Like you said, this program is worth 100’s of dollars. To me, 1,000’s!! THANKS!” – Mometrix User
“Just dropping you a note to let you know that I am completely satisfied with the product. I had already taken the test once and landed in the 75 percentile of those taking it with me.
I took the test a second time and used some of your tips and raised my score to the 97 percentile. Thanks for my much improved score.” Mometrix User
Beyond the Basics: Comprehensive Phlebotomy Exam Training with MedCerts
MedCerts provides an online Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam prep program that goes beyond traditional study guides.
This 12-week program is designed to equip students with the essential skills for collecting blood and non-blood specimens for testing, preparing them for a thriving career in the healthcare industry.
The best part? This program is significantly faster than traditional community or online college programs.
Comprehensive Online Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Prep Course | $2,000
The MedCerts CPT certification program offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It covers:
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Phlebotomy fundamentals
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Safety and compliance
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Patient preparation
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Routine blood collections
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Special collections
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Processing specimens
This program is aligned with the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) certification exam requirements, ensuring students are well-prepared for their certification exams.
Clinical Requirements
To ensure hands-on experience, MedCerts requires students to complete 30 venipuncture and 10 capillary sticks on live patients. This clinical requirement is crucial for sitting for the NHA Phlebotomy Certification Exam, providing students with real-world experience.
Flexibility and Support
MedCerts stands out for its flexible, online learning environment that allows students to study at their own pace, anytime, anywhere. Students can access personal advisors via text, call, and email, ensuring they receive the support and guidance needed throughout their training.
NHA Phlebotomy Technician Exam Frequently Asked Questions
What score do I need to pass the NHA CPT exam?
To pass the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled passing score of 390. The scaled exam score system ranges on a score report from 200 to 500.
How long is the NHA CPT exam, and how many questions does it include?
The NHA CPT exam is two hours long and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. This includes 20 unscored pretest questions, which are not counted towards your final score but are used to evaluate questions for future exams.
What are the main topics covered on the NHA CPT exam?
The exam covers five main sections: Safety and Compliance (20%), Patient Preparation (20%), Routine Blood Collection (40%), Special Collections and Non-Blood Specimens (15%), and Quality and Professional Issues (5%). These sections encompass the essential knowledge and skills required for a phlebotomy technician.
Can I retake the NHA CPT exam if I don’t pass on my first attempt?
Yes, if you do not pass the NHA CPT exam on your first try, you are allowed to retake the exam.
Start Prepping to Pass the Phlebotomy National Exam Today
Don’t wait to start your journey towards becoming a nationally recognized healthcare professional. Enroll in MedCerts’ Certified Phlebotomy Technician program today and take the first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare.
