CPT at a glance
Questions
120
100 scored
Time
2 hr
Passing
390
scale 200-500
Live draws
30 + 10
venipunctures + capillary
CPT test plan (2024 job analysis)
| Domain | Scored items |
|---|---|
| Safety and Compliance | 26 |
| Patient Preparation | 20 |
| Routine Blood Collections | 28 |
| Special Collections | 12 |
| Processing | 14 |
Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | High school diploma/equivalent + training program or work experience, plus 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks |
| Delivery | PSI test center or live remote proctoring |
| Retakes | 3 attempts, 30 days apart |
| Renewal | Every 2 years, 10 CE credits |
Study tools
Other phlebotomy credentials
ASCP (PBT) and AMT (RPT) also certify phlebotomists. A few states - such as California - license phlebotomists separately, so check your state before choosing an exam.
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Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the NHA phlebotomy exam?
120: 100 scored and 20 pretest, in 2 hours.
How many sticks do I need for NHA CPT?
At least 30 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live individuals.
What is the biggest domain on the CPT exam?
Routine Blood Collections (28 items), followed by Safety and Compliance (26).
Sources
- NHA - CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NHA - Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) (accessed 2026-09-23)
- NHA - Candidate Handbook (accessed 2026-09-23)