Phlebotomy Recertification in Colorado

Colorado does not require phlebotomists to hold a state-issued phlebotomy license or state phlebotomy certification. Instead, phlebotomy certification is primarily an employer-driven credential. While Colorado does not require national certification by state law, many employers prefer or require it when hiring phlebotomists.

This page walks through what it actually takes to become a certified phlebotomist in Colorado, how to choose a training program and national certifying organization, and what is required to maintain certification once you're working.

Do You Need a License to Be a Phlebotomist in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not currently issue a separate state phlebotomy license or require individual state certification for phlebotomists. Colorado's Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) regulates more than 60 professions, occupations, and businesses, but phlebotomy is not a separately licensed healthcare profession under DPO. That said, "no state license required" does not mean "no certification needed to get hired." Individual healthcare employers can establish their own hiring requirements. Some Colorado employers require a nationally recognized phlebotomy certification as a condition of employment. For example, a recent State of Colorado posting requires phlebotomy certification through ASCP, AMT, ASPT, or another suitable certifying organization. Think of phlebotomy certification in Colorado as employer-driven rather than government-mandated: there is no Colorado state phlebotomy license to apply for, but national certification can substantially improve employment opportunities.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Colorado

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Colorado does not establish a universal state high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, many training programs and national certification organizations have education requirements. Individual Colorado programs may also require a high school diploma or equivalent. For example, Otero College requires applicants to be graduates of an accredited high school or have an equivalent credential.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program. Colorado does not mandate one specific state-approved phlebotomy program. However, completing a formal program is strongly recommended and may be required for eligibility for the national certification exam you choose. Colorado programs can include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and supervised clinical experience. Some programs also require background checks, drug screening, immunizations, TB testing, and CPR/BLS certification before clinical placement.

3. Choose and pass a national certification exam. Because Colorado does not issue a state phlebotomy credential, individuals who want professional certification generally pursue a national credential. Common options include ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, and other recognized certification organizations, depending on the employer and the applicant's eligibility. Colorado training programs may prepare students for multiple national examinations. For example, Community College of Denver identifies ASCP, NHA, AMT, and NCCT as certification options for graduates of its phlebotomy program.

4. Meet employer-specific requirements. Beyond national certification, employers may require previous experience, CPR/BLS certification, immunizations, background checks, drug screening, and other qualifications. Requirements vary by employer and position. A current State of Colorado phlebotomy position, for example, requires phlebotomy certification and relevant experience.

5. Apply for phlebotomy positions. Certified phlebotomists may work in hospitals, clinical laboratories, physician offices, outpatient clinics, blood collection centers, and other healthcare settings. When applying, check each job posting carefully because employers may prefer or require a specific national certification.

6. Maintain your national certification. Colorado does not have a state phlebotomy license to renew. If you choose to become nationally certified, however, you must maintain that credential according to the renewal cycle and continuing education requirements of the organization that issued it.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Colorado

Because Colorado does not have a state phlebotomy license or state phlebotomy certification, there is no Colorado-specific phlebotomy license renewal or state continuing education requirement for phlebotomists. Instead, renewal requirements come from the national certifying organization that issued your credential. This means two certified phlebotomists working in the same Colorado hospital could have different renewal fees, CE requirements, and renewal cycles if they hold credentials from different organizations. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist follows NHA's renewal requirements, while an AMT-certified phlebotomist follows AMT's requirements. The State of Colorado does not establish a separate phlebotomy recertification cycle.

To stay current, phlebotomists in Colorado should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification and understand its specific renewal cycle.

• Track continuing education requirements, since CE requirements vary by certifying organization.

• Complete renewal before the national certification expires to avoid reinstatement requirements, additional fees, or examination requirements.

• Check employer requirements regularly, especially when changing employers, because an employer may require a specific national credential.

• Maintain additional credentials required by the employer, such as CPR or BLS certification.

Important: Colorado certification vs. employer requirements

Colorado's lack of a state phlebotomy license should not be confused with a lack of professional standards. Employers remain free to establish education, certification, competency, and experience requirements for their employees. In fact, recent Colorado government job postings demonstrate that national certification can be an explicit employment requirement. One State of Colorado posting requires certification through ASCP, AMT, ASPT, or another suitable certifying organization. Therefore, while a national phlebotomy certification is not required by Colorado state law, earning one is generally a practical step for anyone who wants to be competitive in the Colorado phlebotomy job market.

Colorado phlebotomy training considerations

Students should verify the requirements of their intended national certification before enrolling in a training program. Colorado programs vary in structure and may have different admission and clinical requirements. For example, Colorado Community College System programs may require immunizations, background checks, drug screening, TB testing, and CPR/BLS certification before students can enter clinical experiences.

A good program should provide hands-on training in areas such as:

• Venipuncture

• Capillary puncture

• Patient identification and communication

• Specimen labeling and handling

• Infection prevention and control

• Safety and bloodborne pathogen precautions

• Laboratory procedures

• Medical terminology and anatomy

• Clinical practice

Before enrolling, confirm that the program provides the clinical experience and training needed to qualify for the national certification you intend to pursue.

Visit our Certification Requirements page to find the specific recertification and renewal requirements for your certifying body.

Our Certificate of Completion

When you complete continuing education through PhlebCE, your certificate includes:

• Recipient name

• CE credit hours awarded

• Course title

• Completion date

• License provider information

• Program director signature

This documentation is designed to satisfy the renewal requirements of the major phlebotomy certifying bodies operating in Colorado, so you can submit it directly as proof of continuing education.

[Recertify with PhlebCE ]

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to work as a phlebotomist in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require a state-issued phlebotomy license or state phlebotomy certification. This means there is no Colorado phlebotomy license application or state phlebotomy licensing examination that every phlebotomist must complete. However, not being required to hold a state license does not mean certification is unnecessary for employment. Individual employers can establish their own hiring requirements, and some Colorado employers require national phlebotomy certification. For example, a current State of Colorado phlebotomist position requires phlebotomy certification through ASCP, AMT, ASPT, or another suitable certification accepted by the agency. For that reason, national certification is not legally mandatory statewide, but it can be an important credential when applying for phlebotomy jobs in Colorado.

How long does it take to get certified as a phlebotomist in Colorado?

Colorado does not establish a state-mandated training length because it does not license phlebotomists. Training programs therefore vary in length. For example, Community College of Denver currently offers a one-semester phlebotomy certificate program that combines classroom and laboratory instruction with an internship at a clinical placement site. The total time from enrollment to national certification depends on the program you choose, its clinical requirements, and the eligibility requirements of the certification organization. Students should also allow time to schedule and complete the national certification examination after finishing their training.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Colorado?

There is no Colorado state phlebotomy licensing fee, because Colorado does not issue a state phlebotomy license. Instead, your costs will depend on the training program and national certification you choose. Budget for:

• Training-program tuition and fees

• Textbooks and supplies

• National certification examination fees

• CPR/BLS certification, if required

• Background checks, drug screening, immunizations, or other clinical requirements, if applicable

Training costs can vary substantially between community colleges, career schools, and private training providers. For example, Community College of Denver currently offers a 7-credit, one-semester phlebotomy certificate program. Because certification organizations have different examination fees and eligibility requirements, prospective students should determine which certification they plan to pursue before selecting a training program.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Colorado?

Colorado does not have a state phlebotomy certification to renew. If you hold a national phlebotomy certification, however, you must maintain that credential according to the renewal requirements of the organization that issued it. Renewal requirements—including the renewal period, continuing education requirements, fees, and reinstatement policies—vary among national certifying organizations. If your employer requires national certification, allowing your certification to expire could also affect your employment eligibility even though Colorado itself does not require a state phlebotomy license.

Is national phlebotomy certification required to get a job in Colorado?

Not by Colorado state law, but some employers require it. This distinction is important. Community College of Denver states that certification is not required to work as a phlebotomist in Colorado but recommends certification because it can make graduates more marketable. At the same time, the State of Colorado has advertised phlebotomist positions requiring certification through organizations such as ASCP, AMT, or ASPT. Therefore, applicants should review job postings for their target employers before choosing a certification program and credential.

Do I need to complete a phlebotomy training program in Colorado?

Colorado does not require every phlebotomist to complete a specific state-approved training program. However, formal phlebotomy training is strongly recommended and may be required by the national certification organization or employer you choose. Colorado programs can include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, simulation, and supervised clinical experience. Community College of Denver's current program, for example, includes lecture-lab instruction and a clinical internship. If you plan to pursue national certification, check the certification organization's eligibility requirements before enrolling. A program that does not provide the required education or clinical experience may not qualify you for the examination you intend to take.

Do I need a high school diploma or GED to become a phlebotomist in Colorado?

Colorado does not establish a universal high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, individual training programs, certification organizations, and employers may have education requirements. Applicants should verify the admission requirements of their chosen training program and the eligibility requirements of their intended national certification organization before enrolling.

Can I work as a phlebotomist in Colorado without national certification?

Potentially, yes. Colorado does not require national phlebotomy certification by state law. However, whether you can obtain a particular job without certification depends on the employer. Some Colorado employers require national certification as a condition of employment. The State of Colorado, for example, currently requires phlebotomy certification for a posted phlebotomist position. If your goal is to maximize your employment options, obtaining a nationally recognized certification is generally the safer pathway.

What national phlebotomy certifications can I get in Colorado?

Colorado does not designate one state phlebotomy certification. Individuals can pursue nationally recognized credentials based on their eligibility and the requirements of their prospective employers.

Common certification organizations include:

• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

• National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT)

The certification accepted by an employer can vary. For example, the State of Colorado currently lists ASCP, AMT, and ASPT among acceptable phlebotomy certifications for a state phlebotomist position.

Do I need CPR or BLS certification to work as a phlebotomist in Colorado?

Colorado does not have a universal state CPR or BLS requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, individual employers and training programs may require CPR or BLS certification. Some healthcare positions also include CPR as a condition of employment. Students should check the clinical requirements of their training program and the job requirements of prospective employers before deciding whether CPR/BLS certification is necessary.

Do I need clinical experience to become a certified phlebotomist in Colorado?

Colorado does not establish one statewide clinical-hour or venipuncture requirement for all phlebotomists. However, clinical experience is an important part of many phlebotomy training programs and may be required by the national certification organization you choose. Community College of Denver, for example, includes an internship at a clinical placement site as part of its phlebotomy certificate. Before enrolling in a program, verify that its clinical component satisfies the eligibility requirements for the certification examination you intend to take.

Does Colorado have a phlebotomy licensing board?

No separate Colorado state phlebotomy licensing board regulates individual phlebotomists. Colorado's Division of Professions and Occupations regulates numerous professions and occupations, but phlebotomy is not a separately licensed profession. As a result, there is no Colorado phlebotomy license to apply for, renew, or transfer between states.

Can I transfer my phlebotomy certification from another state to Colorado?

Because Colorado does not issue a state phlebotomy license, there is no Colorado phlebotomy license reciprocity or endorsement process. If you hold a national phlebotomy certification from another state, you generally maintain that credential through the organization that issued it. You should still verify that the credential is accepted by the Colorado employer where you intend to work.

What happens if my national phlebotomy certification expires?

The consequences depend on the organization that issued your certification. Colorado does not impose a separate state reinstatement process for national phlebotomy credentials. If your employer requires active national certification, an expired credential could affect your eligibility to work for that employer. Contact your certifying organization promptly to determine whether you can renew, reinstate, complete additional continuing education, or retake the examination.

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