If you need help studying for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free phlebotomy practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
Phlebotomy Sample Questions
How to Register
Exam Scores
Retaking the Exam
What Test-Takers Are Saying
FAQs
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the NHA Phlebotomy exam, you need to have a high school diploma or GED, and you’ll need to be able to prove you’ve successfully done at least 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary or finger sticks on real people.
You’ll also have to meet ONE of the following two requirements:
- You need to have completed a phlebotomy technician training program within the last 5 years.
- You need at least one year of supervised work experience in phlebotomy within the last 3 years, or two years of experience within the last five years.
If you meet these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the 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.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
The exam is split into the following 5 sections:
1. Safety and Compliance
26 scored questions
- Adhere to regulations regarding workplace safety and operational standards.
- Adhere to HIPAA regulations regarding protected health information.
- Adhere to scope of practice and comply with ethical standards.
- Perform quality control for laboratory equipment.
- Perform quality control for CLIA-waived tests.
- Identify and dispose of sharps and biohazards according to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
- Follow exposure control plans in the event of occupational exposure.
- Follow transmission-based precautions.
- Follow standard precautions regarding personal protective equipment.
- Use aseptic and infection control techniques throughout the phlebotomy process.
- Follow hand hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread of infections.
- Initiate first aid and CPR when necessary.
- Comply with documentation and reporting requirements.
2. Patient Preparation
20 scored questions
- Introduce yourself to the patient and provide information.
- Positively identify the patient based on specific identifiers while following HIPAA guidelines.
- Receive implied, informed, or expressed consent from the patient.
- Review and clarify the requisition form.
- Verify patient compliance with testing requirements and proceed accordingly.
- Interview patients to identify special considerations and proceed accordingly.
- Explain the phlebotomy procedure to be performed to the patient.
- Position the patient to maximize comfort and safety, and optimize specimen collection.
- Determine site for specimen collection to minimize patient risk and optimize outcome.
- Instruct patients on collection of non-blood specimens.
3. Routine Blood Collection
28 scored questions
- Select and assemble equipment for blood collection.
- Verify quality of equipment.
- Follow standard tourniquet application and removal procedures.
- Select final site through observation and palpation for specimen collection.
- Apply antiseptic agent to blood collection site.
- Anchor below venipuncture site.
- Insert venipuncture device.
- Follow order of draw when performing venipuncture.
- Ensure patient safety throughout the collection by identifying problematic signs and symptoms.
- Recognize and respond to potential complications resulting from procedure.
- Remove venipuncture device.
- Invert evacuated tubes with additives according to procedural guidelines.
- Perform dermal puncture for capillary collection based on patient age and condition.
- Follow order of draw when performing capillary collection.
- Label all specimens.
- Perform post-procedural patient care.
4. Special Collection
12 scored questions
- Prepare peripheral blood smears.
- Perform blood culture collections.
- Assist other healthcare professionals with specimen collection.
- Collect blood samples for inborn errors of metabolism.
- Perform phlebotomy for blood donations.
- Calculate volume requirements in high-risk patients to avoid causing iatrogenic anemia.
- Perform non-blood specimen collection.
5. Processing
14 scored questions
- Prepare specimens for testing or transport.
- Maintain integrity of specimens based on handling requirements.
- Adhere to chain of custody guidelines.
- Coordinate communication between non-laboratory personnel for processing and collection.
- Input and retrieve specimen data using laboratory information system.
- Recognize and report critical values for point of care testing.
Phlebotomy Sample Questions
Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge!
Phlebotomy practice questions with answers and explanations:
- Of the following patients, who would be at highest risk for developing anemia related to blood draws?
- A 3-year-old with orders for discharge labs following a recent hospital stay for respiratory distress — Correct answer
- A 19-year-old who has returns for the second time this week with orders for cholesterol level, complete blood count, and chemistry
- A 13-month-old with an order for a routine complete blood count following a recent 1-year checkup with their primary doctor
- A 68-year-old with an order for complete blood count and chemistry from their primary doctor
Explanation: Hospitalized children are one of the most at-risk groups for iatrogenic anemia from blood draws. Choice B is incorrect because this young adult who has had a second blood draw this week would not necessarily be at high risk for iatrogenic anemia. Choice C is incorrect because the infant having routine CBC for their one-year checkup would be less at risk than a recently hospitalized patient. Lastly, choice D is incorrect because this older adult receiving routine bloodwork from a primary doctor would not necessarily be high risk for developing iatrogenic anemia. - According to the CDC/APHL Competency Guidelines, what do the cross-cutting technical competencies include?
- Quality
- Informatics — Correct answer
- Ethics
- Security
Explanation: The cross-cutting domain is composed of safety, surveillance, and informatics. Choices A, C, and D are not correct; these competencies fall under the base domain. - When performing a venipuncture on the dorsum of a hand, what is the recommended angle of needle entry into the skin?
- 20°
- 15°
- 10° — Correct answer
- 5°
Explanation: The correct angle of entry into the skin is 10° when performing venipuncture on the dorsum of the hand. - A patient arrives for a morning appointment to have his cholesterol (including triglycerides) test drawn. What question should the phlebotomist ask the patient before proceeding?
- “Are you well rested?”
- “Have you exercised in the past 48 hours?”
- “Have you had any food or drink besides water since midnight?” — Correct answer
- “Do you have a full bladder?”
Explanation: The patient should be asked about fasting before the test. Triglycerides can become elevated after food or drink consumption. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect; these questions would not be needed for a cholesterol and triglyceride test. - A patient in the hospital is having severe tremors. The phlebotomist is struggling to hold the patient. What action should the phlebotomist take?
- Secure the patient’s arm to the bed with a restraint.
- Hold the patient’s arm down forcefully while performing the venipuncture.
- Delay the venipuncture until the next day.
- Ask for help from another phlebotomist or the patient’s nurse or aide. — Correct answer
Explanation: The phlebotomist should ask available staff members to help hold the patient while they perform the venipuncture. Choices A and B are incorrect; these actions could be considered battery. Phlebotomists must not apply restraints, nor should they hold anyone down forcefully. Choice C is also incorrect; the labs should not be delayed due to the phlebotomist’s decision. This could be a safety issue for the patient.
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to an NHA account on their website. From there, you can select the CPT exam and begin the registration and scheduling process. You’ll be asked a handful of questions along the way to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for the exam.
Phlebotomy Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The exam is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 200 and 500.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the exam is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Online NHA Phlebotomy Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online NHA Phlebotomy Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The NHA Phlebotomy Course includes:
- 30+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- Over 800 NHA Phlebotomy Practice Questions
- 300+ Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Mobile Access
The NHA Phlebotomy Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their NHA Phlebotomy exam. Click below to check it out!
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test after a mandatory 30-day waiting period.
What Test-Takers Are Saying
Don’t just take our word for it! See what real test-takers are saying about the NHA Phlebotomy exam:
“The test had a lot of questions about OSHA and CLIA. Know what kind of PPE you need to wear for what scenario (droplet, airborne, etc.), and know what to do if there is a large blood spill.”
em_902
“Know the tubes, what the additives are, and what those additives do to the blood. Also know the steps to drawing blood (starting from washing hands, confirming patient information, tourniquet duration, etc.).”
honeyh3bee
“Focus on law and ethics, safety and handling, infection control and protection, order of draw, and tests and uses.”
Monisha
FAQs
How many questions are on the NHA Phlebotomy exam?
The exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions.
What is the time limit for the NHA Phlebotomy exam?
The exam is timed at 2 hours.
How much does the NHA Phlebotomy exam cost?
The testing fee is $129.
What is a passing score for the NHA Phlebotomy exam?
To pass, you’ll need to score at least 390.
Self-Assessment Module
One of the most important parts of preparing for a test is determining which topics you need to brush up on as you study.
Click below to get started with a self-assessment of your knowledge!
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