laboratory field services

Information about Phlebotomy Training Programs

Thank you for your interest in California approval of phlebotomy training programs.

A phlebotomy training program conducts phlebotomy courses for the purpose of training individuals in phlebotomy and preparing them for California certification as phlebotomists under the provisions of Chapter 3, Division 2 of the California Business and Professions Code. Phlebotomy training programs operating in California must be approved by Laboratory Field Services in the California Department of Public Health.

To obtain approval, the phlebotomy training program director must submit an application (link to LAB 180) with required documentation. Verification may include an on-site inspection.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please make sure your program meets the California requirements listed below and follow the instructions for completing the application.

Requirements for approval of a Phlebotomy Training Program

The director of the program must submit an application (LAB 180) and supporting documents. See below for instructions on how to complete and submit an application.

A phlebotomy training program must be offered by:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (link to NAACLS)
A college or university accredited by WASC or affiliate
California Adult Education or Regional Occupational Program (ROP)
Private, post-secondary program or occupational program approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (link to BPPE)
United States of America military medical laboratory specialist program
California licensed clinical laboratory

A phlebotomy training program must be directed by:

Licensed physician and surgeon (MD or DO)
Licensed physician assistant (PA)
Registered nurse (RN)
Person licensed under Chapter 3 of the California Business and Professions Code.

Each person providing instruction must be licensed or certified in California and must be able to provide a copy of his or her license or certification as:

Physician and surgeon (MD or DO)
Physician assistant (PA)
Registered nurse (RN)
Person licensed under Chapter 3 of the California Business and Professions Code
Respiratory care practitioner (RCP) with 2 years' experience in the previous 5 years
Certified phlebotomy technician (CPT I or CPT II) with 3 years of experience in the previous 5 years.

A training program must provide 40 hours of didactic instruction and submit a curriculum for didactic instruction that includes:

Basic phlebotomy curriculum (20 hours)

Basic infection control, universal precautions and safety
Basic anatomy and physiology of body systems with emphasis on the circulatory system, and appropriate medical terminology
Proper identification of patient and specimens and the importance of accuracy in overall patient care
Proper selection and preparation of skin puncture site, including selection of antiseptic
Blood collection equipment, types of tubes and additives, proper order of draw when additives are required, and special precautions
Post-puncture care
Appropriate disposal of sharps, needles, and waste

Advanced phlebotomy curriculum (20 hours)

Advanced infectious disease control and biohazards
Anti-coagulation theory
Knowledge of pre-analytical sources of error in specimen collection, transport, processing, and storage
Anatomical site selection and patient preparation
Risk factors and appropriate responses to complications that may arise from phlebotomy
Recognition of problems in test requisitions, specimen transport, and processing, and corrective actions to take
Application of basic concepts of communication, interpersonal relations, stress management, professional behavior, ethics, and legal implications of phlebotomy
Quality assurance in phlebotomy necessary to provide accurate and reliable laboratory test results
Legal issues related to blood collection

A training program must provide 40 hours of practical instruction in a clinical setting that provides access to patients whose blood is being tested by a clinical laboratory. The program must submit a curriculum for practical instruction in a clinical setting that includes:

Selection of blood collection equipment appropriate to test requisition
Preparation of a patient and infection control
Skin punctures for testing purposes from patients of varying ages, including pediatric and geriatric, and of varying health and obesity status
Venipunctures from patients of varying ages, health, and obesity status
Post-puncture care
Processing of blood containers after collection, including centrifugation
Proper disposal of needles, sharps, and medical waste
Practical examination showing evidence of successful completion of the above curriculum
In addition, the program must ensure that
Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) students complete 25 skin punctures
Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) students complete in at least 40 hours a minimum of 10 skin punctures and 50 venipunctures and observe arterial punctures.

A training program must provide a certificate of completion to each student who successfully completes the program and submit a sample copy. The certificate must be signed by the director of the program and must include:

Name and address of the didactic training program
Name of the student
Statement of satisfactory completion of the program
Hours for each course (basic didactic, advanced didactic, and practical) of instruction
Dates that training began and ended
Signature of the program director

Renewals, Changes, and Updates

Renewal of Approval

Approval is valid for two years. You must file a renewal application at least 60 days prior to the end of your program's approval period.

Failure to meet the requirements and renew will be cause for revocation of approval.

To renew your program's approval, complete the Renewal Application for Phlebotomy Training Program (LAB 180R). Please contact LFS at lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov to request a copy of the application.

Requirements for Phlebotomy Training Program renewal

Name and address of the training program
Name and license number of each director
Name and license or certificate number of each instructor
Name(s) and location(s) of all didactic and practical instruction sites
Curriculum and instructional objectives, including hours spent at each activity
Schedule of didactic (basic and advanced) and practical instruction for the next 24 months
Listing of students who completed its program and the total number of students who enrolled in its program in the previous approval period
Signature of the director(s)
Date of the application for renewal

Changes and Updates to a Training Program

The training program must notify the department in writing of any of the following changes in information or materials. Send an email requesting approval for each change to LFS at lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov.

Change of address of the phlebotomy training program - requires approval prior to change.
Change in the phlebotomy training program curriculum - requires approval prior to change.
Change in didactic or practical training site locations - requires approval prior to change.
Changes to certificate of completion - require approval prior to change.

Change of ownership or director - submit within 30 days after the change has occurred.
Change of ownership requires the new owner to submit a new application package, complete with form LAB 180.

You may contact the Phlebotomy Training School Program by sending an email to lfsphlebotrainingschool@cdph.ca.gov.

How to Apply for Approval

A complete application for approval as a phlebotomy training program must include the following:

Application form LAB 180 and:

Name and address of the training program
Locations of all sites where didactic and practical instruction occur
Name and license number of each director of the program
Name, license number or certificate number, experience in phlebotomy, and evidence of satisfactory performance on a phlebotomy certification examination administered by a department-approved certifying organization with departmental approval for every person who provides instruction or supervises
List of equipment, supplies, and educational materials used for instruction
Curriculum and instructional objectives, including hours spent at each activity

Attachments:

BPPE approval letter with school code number and date
List of equipment, supplies, and educational materials used for instruction
Curriculum and instructional objectives for didactic and practical programs, including hours spent at each activity
Copy of policies and procedures that ensure the safety of students and staff members
Working agreement listed in the same order as the application for every practical training site that includes:
An active CLIA number and California license or registration number
If the laboratory has additional collection sites, a list of all collection sites with addresses, verified by the facility's staff in writing.
The signature of the assigned representative of the laboratory where student completed externship
Copy of certificate of completion issued to students
List of proposed courses to be offered in the next 24 months, with course start and end dates and tentative course schedules