What score to passing the phlebotomy exam?

To pass a phlebotomy exam, you generally need a scaled score of 390 out of 500 for the NHA exam, or 400 out of 999 for ASCP, though specific requirements vary by certifying body, with some like the NAPTP requiring an 80% or higher. Scores are often scaled, not a simple percentage, adjusting for question difficulty, so focus on mastering core concepts like order of draw and specimen handling.

What is the passing score for 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 many questions can you miss on the NHA phlebotomy exam and still pass?

The exact number of missed questions allowed varies, but on average, you can miss around 20–25% of the total questions and still pass. Focus on mastering each topic evenly to maximize your score.

What is the passing score for the NHA exam?

To pass an NHA (National Healthcareer Association) certification exam, you generally need a scaled score of 390 or higher out of a possible 500 points, though the specific number of correct answers to achieve this can vary slightly by exam version due to scoring adjustments for difficulty. This 390/500 threshold applies to popular exams like the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exams.
 

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.

NHA PHLEBOTOMY EXAM: What To Study

How do I check my NHA score?

See how to monitor or download your program, learner, and group exam results here.

1. Log into your administrative account at NHANOW.com.
2. Under the Candidates section in your left-hand navigation, select View Exam Results.
3. Individual candidate exam results will populate per candidate and per date.

Is it hard to pass the phlebotomy exam?

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.
 

How many questions are on the phlebotomy exam?

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.

What if I fail the NHA exam?

If you didn't pass your NHA certification exam, you might be feeling discouraged. It happens, and the best thing you can do is prepare and try again. You can reapply to sit for the exam up to three times, with at least 30 days between each test.

What is the passing score for the NHA phlebotomy exam reddit?

120 questions, 500 points, 390 is the minimum passing score. It isn't like school tests where you need a certain letter grade to pass, passing is passing. The test is adaptive, so questions change depending on if you're getting correct answers or not.

How many people fail the phlebotomy exam?

Edison State Community College is proud to announce that 100% of Spring 2025 Medical Laboratory Technician and Phlebotomy graduates who took their respective certification exams earned a passing score.

What if you fail the NHA exam?

NETA CERTIFICATION EXAM REMINDERS

If a technician does not pass their exam, they must wait for 60 days before they can be authorized to retake their exam. When technicians are interested in retesting, they must communicate directly with their Accredited Representative or Branch Manager.

How to pass the phlebotomy test?

To pass your phlebotomy exam, master core concepts like the order of draw, infection control, and patient identification; use practice exams and mnemonics; and focus on tricky areas like tube additives and special collections; while also preparing mentally by getting rest, eating well, and arriving early to your test. 

How many questions can you get wrong on the NHA exam?

You only need a 390 to pass which is 78%. That would be a lot of missed questions. That's like getting 40 questions wrong at 78%.

How much does a level 3 phlebotomist make?

How much does a Phlebotomist Iii make? As of Jan 13, 2026, the average annual pay for a Phlebotomist Iii in the United States is $39,658 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.07 an hour. This is the equivalent of $762/week or $3,304/month.

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 a good NHA score?

You need to score at least 390 out of 500 to pass.

As long as you prepare correctly, your chances are good: According to the NHA, the passing rate in 2024 was over 81%.

How do I know if I passed my NHA exam?

You will receive an email notification when your results are available within the certification portal. For confidentiality, the notification email will not include your exam score.

What to do if you failed your test?

6 steps for dealing with exam failure:

1. explore your resit options. ...
2. learn from your last exam. ...
3. make a new plan of action. ...
4. perfect your exam routine. ...
5. don't put off telling people you've failed. ...
6. reach out to us.

Is phlebotomy hard to pass?

Phlebotomy isn't inherently "hard" to pass for most, as high pass rates exist, but it requires focus on technical skills (vein finding, needle insertion), knowledge (anatomy, safety), and soft skills (calmness, communication). The exams test theory, procedures, and regulations, and while the coursework is fast-paced, dedicated students often succeed, with many passing certification exams like the NHA CPT on their first try with good preparation. 

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.
 

How many tries does a phlebotomist get?

The standard of care is that a phlebotomist should not try more than two collection attempts on any patient. The standard of care also requires that the phlebotomist insert the needle with a clean stick into the vein.

Who gets paid more, phlebotomist or EMT?

Generally, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) tend to earn a higher median salary than Phlebotomists, with BLS data showing EMTs around $38k-$46k and Phlebotomists varying but often lower, though combining skills (EMT + Phlebotomy) can boost earnings significantly, and location greatly impacts pay for both roles. EMTs offer broader emergency care, while Phlebotomists focus on blood draws, but dual-certified individuals can command more, especially in hospitals.
 

What are common phlebotomy mistakes?

Improper patient identification and labeling errors remain two of the most common and costly blood draw mistakes. Mistakes involving the order of draw, documentation, tourniquet use, and tube handling can quietly compromise test results. Professional conduct plays a major role in error prevention.

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.