Education for a phlebotomist technician is open to those persons 18 years of age and above who have a high school diploma or have a Graduate Equivalency Degree. The Phlebotomy education program typically consists of eighty hours of combined classroom and clinical work. This is followed by a certification exam that will assure future employers of the phlebotomist competency and level of skill.
A typical Phlebotemist Tech education will cost around $1,000 for tuition if taken through a local college. Private institutions offering these courses are slightly more expensive. Books, fees, and uniforms are an additional cost as are the fees for certification examinations. There are scholarships and loans available as the job demand is there and future employers will fund training to meet the demand.

The certification examination is through the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians. It is a comprehensive exam. Areas of testing include anatomy, physiology, phlebotomy techniques, and phlebotomy procedures. Many employers will require hands on experience as well as classroom and certification credentials. Experience can be obtained through an internship in a hospital or laboratory setting. In some cases an internship can be completed in a physician’s office. In addition to allowing the phlebotomist technician an opportunity to learn and improve technical skills, the internship is a chance to see what it is like to work in various healthcare settings.