How many people fail the phlebotomy exam?

While exact national failure rates vary, major certifying bodies like the NHA show strong pass rates (around 76% in 2024 for CPT), meaning roughly one in four people might not pass on the first try, though specific program pass rates can be much higher (like BRTC's 93%) or lower depending on test versions and preparation. Failure often occurs due to unexpected question types or insufficient study, with test-takers usually getting multiple retake opportunities.

Is the phlebotomy certification exam hard?

The phlebotomy exam isn't universally "hard," but it's challenging and requires dedicated study, especially for topics like specimen collection, order of draw, and safety; success depends heavily on preparation, using practice tests, understanding the computer-adaptive format (difficulty adjusts), and knowing core concepts like anatomy, patient care, and regulations, with many passing on the first try with proper study.
 

What happens if you fail the phlebotomy exam?

If candidates do not achieve a passing score on their first attempt, they may choose to retake the exam. To apply for a second exam attempt, candidates must submit an exam retake application and pay the $125 exam fee in their online account.

What percentage do you need to pass the phlebotomy exam?

You must score at least 390 on the scale to pass the exam.

How do I know if I passed my phlebotomy exam?

Check out our online verification tool

Each candidate who passes the certification exam is listed within our online verification tool. The current status of the certificant will be listed. The NHCO does not disclose either failed attempts or the candidate's exam score on this tool.

🩸Phlebotomy Certification Practice Test – 50 Questions to Help You PASS!

Is phlebotomy difficult?

Phlebotomy school is not especially difficult—it's actually considered one of the easiest jobs in healthcare. You will need good reading comprehension, some basic math skills, and good critical thinking in order to complete your schooling. The passing rate for the NCCT exam is about 73%.

How many times can I take the phlebotomy exam?

You may take the certification exam at any time, and you have a total of 3 attempts to pass the CPT exam without any retake fees.

What is the success rate of phlebotomy?

A comparison of previous studies investigating venipuncture success rates showed that clinicians obtain an average of ~90% success rate on patients who are non-DVA and ~60% on patients who are considered to have DVA3,4,16,33–35.

What is the biggest mistake a phlebotomist can make?

The most critical error a phlebotomist can make is improper patient identification, as it directly leads to misdiagnosis, wrong treatments, or delayed care, jeopardizing patient safety; closely followed by mislabeled or unlabeled samples, which have similar dangerous downstream effects, and failing to follow the correct order of draw, which contaminates samples. These mistakes place incorrect information into patient records, potentially causing severe harm, even if the physical draw is technically perfect. 

How long should I study for the phlebotomy exam?

After completing the program, graduates are typically eligible to sit for a certification exam. The time it takes to study for and pass this exam can vary, but many individuals can accomplish this within a few weeks to a couple of months.

What is the highest score on the phlebotomy exam?

NHA assigns a value to each question on the test based on difficulty. With this scaled scoring system, the ranges fall between a low 200 to a perfect score of 500. The NHA phlebotomy exam passing score is 390.

How long is a phlebotomy certificate valid?

Phlebotomy certifications typically last for two years, requiring renewal through continuing education (CE) credits and fees to stay active, though some agencies like the ASPT require annual renewal. The renewal process ensures you stay updated on new techniques and regulations, often involving online modules and a renewal fee, with specific requirements depending on your certifying body (like NHA, NPS, or ASCP) and state laws.
 

What happened to people who failed the medical exam?

A failed medical board exam doesn't mean you're unfit for medicine—but it does havel consequences. What happens if you fail your medical board exam depends on your specialty and your current role. In many cases, a failed attempt may delay certification, affect hospital credentialing, or impact employment contracts.

What is the hardest part of phlebotomy?

The hardest parts of phlebotomy involve technical challenges like finding "hard-to-stick" veins (dehydrated, obese, elderly, or scarred patients) and the psychological aspect of managing patient anxiety, fear, and fainting while maintaining precision, a steady hand, and compassion under pressure. Balancing speed with quality in busy environments, dealing with squeamishness, and physical strain from constant bending also present difficulties, especially for new phlebotomists.
 

Who gets paid more, phlebotomist or EMT?

Generally, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) tend to earn a slightly higher median salary than Phlebotomists, but salaries overlap significantly, with EMTs making around $44k-$48k (as of late 2024/early 2025) and Phlebotomists around $39k-$42k, with location, experience, and extra certifications (like phlebotomy skills for an EMT) heavily influencing pay. An EMT with phlebotomy skills can see a significant pay bump, while experienced phlebotomists can also earn more than entry-level EMTs.
 

How many questions are on a phlebotomy test?

There are 120 multiple-choice questions total, but only 100 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that? The 20 unscored questions on the exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they're good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.

Is phlebotomy risky?

a) Needlestick injuries: Healthcare professionals who collect blood donations take precautions to ensure safe needle usage. However, there is always a small risk of needlestick injuries during the process, potentially exposing the donor to bloodborne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

What is the top salary for a phlebotomist?

The highest-paid phlebotomists are generally found in California, especially cities like San Francisco, with potential for even higher earnings as travel phlebotomists or in specialized roles within large hospital systems in high-demand states like Washington, New York, and Massachusetts, where top earners can exceed $50,000-$60,000 annually, particularly in specialized or travel positions.
 

How many attempts does a phlebotomist have?

How many times can a phlebotomist attempt a draw? Most facilities follow the two-attempt rule, which limits a phlebotomist to two attempts before another trained professional must take over. This helps protect patients and maintain quality control.

Will AI replace phlebotomists?

The research, analyzing over 200,000 real AI interactions, identified nursing assistants and phlebotomists as among the occupations least susceptible to automation by artificial intelligence technologies.

What are the 7 duties of a phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist's main duties involve safely collecting blood samples through venipuncture or skin puncture, accurately labeling specimens, maintaining sterile conditions, preparing patients for procedures, providing compassionate patient care, managing supplies, and transporting samples to the lab, all while ensuring patient confidentiality and adhering to strict health protocols. 

How many unsuccessful sticks can a phlebotomist have?

Limits on Trying to Draw Blood

Usually, a phlebotomist will try no more than twice to draw blood. This rule helps to keep the patient comfortable and safe from problems like bruising or hitting a nerve. If the phlebotomist can't get blood after two tries, they should ask another experienced healthcare worker to try.

What happens if you don't pass the phlebotomy exam?

If you don't pass your exam after the first or second attempt, you must wait 30 days before you can retake it. If you don't pass after the third attempt, you must wait 12 months to challenge the exam again. After your fourth attempt, you must wait 12 months between attempts.

How many patients should a phlebotomist draw in one hour?

The 52-second SD allowed them to recommend an acceptable range for performing a venipuncture to be between 3:16 and 6:44, or ten patients every hour, not including travel to and from the patient's location.

What is the passing score for phlebotomy?

400 points out of a possible 999 points is a passing score on the Phlebotomy exam.