There are certain phlebotomy certification requirements that you must fulfill in order to work in this field, depending on what state you live in. If you live in the state of California or Louisiana, you are mandated by the state to pass a professional certification exam that basically gives you a license to draw blood. Doctors, nurses and clinical lab scientists may also draw blood without getting phlebotomy certification in these states. In other states, it may not be required, but many phlebotomists find that it is in their best interest to get the professional certification anyway because they can’t get a job otherwise. So, if you want to have the most options to find work and have a job that you can carry with you, certification might as well be required regardless of what state you live in.

The Benefits of Phlebotomy Certification
There are many benefits of phlebotomy certification, even if you don’t live in a state that requires it. The main benefit is that you will have a competitive edge when applying for jobs. When an employer is comparing two applicants—one who has certification and one who doesn’t—the employer will almost certainly choose the one with certification unless the other candidate has a long list of experiences and qualifications that otherwise set them apart. The certification also automatically proves that you have completed your education at an accredited school, since the professional organizations that administer the licensing exams only accept graduates from accredited programs. Certified phlebotomists are also likely to earn a higher salary than those who aren’t certified. A phlebotomist with certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology may earn as much as $52,413 annually, which is far beyond the average annual salary of between$24,126 and $39,568 for all phlebotomists working in the field.

The Phlebotomy Certification Requirements
Three different organizations offer certification for phlebotomists. These are the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the Association of Phlebotomy Technicians and the National Phlebotomy Association. The requirements for certification entail more than just completing an educational program and passing a test. Each organization has its own varying requirements regarding professional membership, number of classroom hours, number of hands-on training hours, number of successful blood collections and internship completion. Their examinations also differ, so make sure to learn about the requirements of the specific organization before completing all the necessary steps and studying for the exam.