NCPT Exam by NCCT

NATIONAL CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN (NCPT) EXAM

Exam Name: National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)

Organization offering the NCPT exam: National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Contact information:

Address: 11020 King Street, Suite 400 Overland Park KS 66210
Email: contactus@ncctinc.com
Phone: 800.875.4404

Additional information about the organization that puts on the exam:

NCCT is accredited through the NCCA, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.¹
The NCCA, in coordination with the federal government, sets the standards for excellence for healthcare certification programs²

Length of test (time): 3 hour time limit
Number of questions on the NCPT exam: 150 questions
Cost to take the test: $119

Information that is covered on the exam:

Infection control
Anatomy and Physiology
Pathology and Disorders
Pre-analytical Errors
Order of Draw
Patient Identification
Patient Assessment, education, and preparation
Specimen Handling and Transporting Procedures
Quality Assurance
Patient Safety and First Aid
Clinical Laboratory Departments

Eligibility to sit for the NCPT exam:

NCCT offers five different eligibility options for the NCPT exam.3 These options open up eligibility to those who received formal education, as well as those with work experience and/or who achieved their skills in an apprenticeship.

Current high school student in an NCCT recognized Phlebotomy Technician program
Current student (post-high school graduate or GED) in an NCCT recognized Phlebotomy Technician program
Post-graduate from a NCCT recognized Phlebotomy Technician program within the past five years
One full-time year of employment as a Phlebotomy Technician within the past five years with verifiable hours equal to 2080 under the supervision of a certified/licensed Phlebotomy Technician or clinician
Phlebotomy Technician training completed in the military within the last five years

State-specific information:

When applying for qualified experience eligibility (eligibility option 4) to sit the exam, there are three forms available, differentiated by the state you live in. California and Louisiana applicants have slightly different requirements than applicants from all the other states.

California applicants must prove competency with 50 supervised venipuncture procedures and 10 supervised capillary puncture procedures.⁴
Louisiana applicants must prove competency with 100 supervised venipuncture procedures and 25 supervised capillary puncture procedures.⁵
All other state resident applicants must prove competency with 25 supervised venipuncture procedures and 5 supervised capillary puncture procedures.⁶

Renewal information:

Continued education and annual recertification of $89
NCCT allows for two options for NCPTs to comply with the CE requirements:
NCCT’s CE library and/or submission of CE credits from outside sources.
Annually, there are 12 CE contact hours due on the anniversary of the certification issue date.
CE must be new and/or different each year to add to the NCPT’s knowledge base. California NCPTs do have specific requirements for their CE.
ASCLS P.A.C.E. (American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, Professional Acknowledgement for Continued Education) specific courses are required and available through NCCT’s CE library for California based NCPTs.9
Maintaining the NCPT certification and complying with CE requirements are excellent for career and personal growth.

Prepare for the NCPT Exam with PhlebCE

Success on the NCPT exam starts with a solid understanding of the concepts you'll use every day as a phlebotomy technician. Reviewing topics such as anatomy and physiology, specimen collection, infection control, laboratory safety, patient identification, and quality assurance can help you feel more confident on exam day and in your future career.

PhlebCE provides comprehensive study resources designed to help aspiring and practicing phlebotomists strengthen their knowledge and prepare for certification exams. Whether you're reviewing core phlebotomy principles, refreshing your understanding of laboratory procedures, or completing continuing education courses to maintain your credentials, PhlebCE offers flexible online learning that fits your schedule.

Explore our phlebotomy courses and study materials to build your confidence, reinforce key exam topics, and take the next step toward earning your NCPT certification.

Official documents:

Qualify by Experience (LA, CA, All other states):
https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT Qualif by Exp LA.pdf
https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT Qualif by Exp MMCI.pdf
https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT Qualif by Exp.pdf

Detailed Test Plan:
https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT Detailed Test Plan.pdf

Recertification Guide:
https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/Guide to the Recertification Process 2024.pdf

Resources:

Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) Certification. (n.d.). National Center for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/certifications/phlebotomy-technician
NCCA Accreditation. (n.d.). Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Accreditation/Earn-Accreditation/NCCA
Phlebotomy Technician Eligibility Criteria. (n.d.). National Institute for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT%20Route.pdf
Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency Documentation Qualification by Experience Documentation for California. (n.d.). National Center for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT%20Qualif%20by%20Exp%20MMCI.pdf
Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency Documentation Qualification by Experience Documentation for Louisiana. (n.d.). National Center for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT%20Qualif%20by%20Exp%20LA.pdf
Phlebotomy Technician Certification Critical Skill Competency Documentation Qualification by Experience Documentation. (n.d.). National Center for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT%20Qualif%20by%20Exp.pdf
Resource Center. (n.d.). https://www.ncctinc.com/support. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/support
NCCT Inc. (2020). National Certified Phlebotomy Technician NCPT Detailed Test Plan. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/PT%20Detailed%20Test%20Plan.pdf
2024 Guide to Recertification. (n.d.). National Center for Competency Testing. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://www.ncctinc.com/Documents/Guide%20to%20the%20Recertification%20Process%202024.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCCT NCPT certification?

The National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) credential is offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). It demonstrates that a phlebotomist has met nationally recognized standards in specimen collection, patient care, infection control, safety, and laboratory procedures.

Who is eligible to take the NCPT exam?

NCCT offers several eligibility pathways, including graduation from an approved phlebotomy training program, qualifying work experience, military training, and certain student pathways. Applicants should review the current eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

How many questions are on the NCPT exam?

The NCPT exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and includes a three-hour time limit to complete the examination.

What topics are covered on the NCPT exam?

The exam tests knowledge in areas such as infection control, anatomy and physiology, patient identification, order of draw, specimen collection and handling, quality assurance, laboratory safety, pathology, and pre-analytical errors.

How much does the NCPT exam cost?

The NCPT certification exam currently costs $119. Additional fees may apply for study materials, retesting, or annual recertification.

Is the NCPT certification recognized by employers?

Yes. The NCPT is a nationally recognized certification that is accepted by many hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, blood donation centers, and other healthcare employers. However, hiring requirements vary by employer and state.

How do I renew my NCPT certification?

NCPT certification must be renewed annually by completing continuing education (CE) requirements and paying the required renewal fee. NCCT currently requires 12 continuing education contact hours each year.

Can I earn continuing education credits through PhlebCE?

Yes. PhlebCE offers accredited continuing education courses designed to help phlebotomy professionals meet certification renewal requirements. After completing eligible courses, you'll receive a certificate of completion that can be used toward qualifying certification renewals when accepted by your certifying organization.

What happens if I do not pass the NCPT exam?

If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you may be eligible to retake it after meeting NCCT's retesting requirements. Review your score report to identify areas for improvement before scheduling another attempt.

Where can I find the official NCPT exam outline?

NCCT publishes an official detailed test plan that outlines the exam content, eligibility requirements, and recertification process. Reviewing the official exam blueprint is one of the best ways to prepare for the examination.