Phlebotomy Recertification in Georgia

Georgia does not require phlebotomists to obtain a separate state-issued phlebotomy license. However, Georgia does regulate phlebotomists through its clinical laboratory rules, particularly when they work in licensed clinical laboratories or perform certain point-of-care testing.

Georgia's rules define a "specimen collector and/or phlebotomist" as a person trained to procure specimens for clinical laboratory analysis who works under the general supervision of the laboratory director, supervisor, or technologist. The rules also allow laboratories to employ phlebotomists whose qualifications are based on training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director.

National certification is not universally required simply to work as a phlebotomist in Georgia, but it can be particularly important for certain duties. Georgia specifically recognizes phlebotomists certified by organizations such as ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, AAB, or another professional credentialing organization approved by the Department as eligible to perform point-of-care testing under the state's rules.

This page walks through what it takes to become a phlebotomist in Georgia, how training and national certification fit into the process, and what you need to know about maintaining your certification once you're working.

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

No. Georgia does not issue a separate state phlebotomy license. Georgia's clinical laboratory regulations recognize specimen collectors and phlebotomists as a distinct category of laboratory personnel. A licensed clinical laboratory may employ specimen collectors and/or phlebotomists who are qualified through training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director. The laboratory must maintain documentation of that qualifying training or experience. This means Georgia is different from states such as California, where phlebotomists must obtain a state-issued certificate before practicing.

However, there is an important distinction in Georgia: not having a state phlebotomy license does not mean that a phlebotomist can perform every type of laboratory testing. Georgia's rules distinguish specimen collection from laboratory testing, and personnel performing laboratory tests must meet the applicable qualifications for their role. Georgia also has specific rules for point-of-care testing (POCT). A phlebotomist may perform point-of-care testing when certified by a professional credentialing organization approved by the Georgia Department of Community Health and when the required training and competency requirements have been met.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Georgia

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Georgia does not establish a universal high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for someone performing basic phlebotomy. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required by phlebotomy training programs, national certification organizations, and healthcare employers.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program. Complete a formal phlebotomy education program that provides instruction in anatomy and physiology, infection control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, safety, medical terminology, and related subjects. Georgia's rules allow a laboratory director to approve the training and/or experience used to qualify specimen collectors and phlebotomists.

3. Complete supervised hands-on training. Your education should include practical experience collecting blood specimens. The exact number of venipunctures and capillary collections depends on the training program and, if you pursue national certification, the eligibility requirements of the certification organization you choose.

4. Choose and pass a national certification examination. Georgia does not issue a state phlebotomy certification examination. If you want a national credential, choose a certification organization whose credential is accepted by your intended employers. Georgia's regulations specifically identify organizations including ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, and AAB as examples of professional credentialing organizations whose certified phlebotomists may perform point-of-care testing under the state's rules.

5. Meet employer-specific requirements. Individual healthcare  organizations may require national certification, formal training, previous experience, CPR/BLS certification, background screening, immunizations, or other qualifications. Check the requirements of the employer before choosing a training or certification pathway.

6. Apply for phlebotomy positions. Once you have completed your education and obtained any certification required by your target employer, you can apply for positions in hospitals, physician offices, outpatient laboratories, diagnostic laboratories, blood collection facilities, and other healthcare settings.

7. Maintain your national certification. Georgia does not have a state phlebotomy license that you need to renew. If you hold a national certification, however, you must follow the renewal cycle, continuing education requirements, and other policies of the organization that issued your credential.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Georgia

Georgia does not have a separate state phlebotomy license or state phlebotomy recertification requirement for individuals working as phlebotomists.

Instead, renewal requirements generally come from the national certification organization that issued your credential.

For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist follows NHA's renewal requirements, while an AMT-certified phlebotomist follows AMT's requirements. The renewal cycle, CE requirements, fees, and reinstatement policies can differ between organizations.

Georgia's rules do, however, place responsibility on the laboratory to maintain documentation showing that specimen collectors and phlebotomists have the necessary qualifying training and/or experience.

To stay current, Georgia phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their certification and when the credential expires.

• Track the continuing education requirements for that organization.

• Complete required CE before the certification expires.

• Keep copies of CE certificates and other renewal documentation.

• Confirm that outside CE courses are accepted before using them toward certification renewal.

• Check employer requirements, since an employer may require active national certification even though Georgia does not require a state phlebotomy license.

• Follow the certifying organization's reinstatement requirements if the credential expires.

Georgia-specific considerations

Georgia's clinical laboratory rules specifically identify certified phlebotomists as individuals who may perform point-of-care testing under the state's requirements. The rule identifies phlebotomists certified by ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, AAB, or another professional credentialing organization approved by the Department as eligible for POCT duties. Certification alone, however, is not the only requirement. The laboratory director or qualified supervisor must ensure the individual receives appropriate training and that competency is verified before the person performs patient testing. Required training includes areas such as specimen collection and handling, test instruments, reagents, quality control, quality assurance, troubleshooting, and recordkeeping. This makes national certification particularly useful for Georgia phlebotomists who want to perform duties beyond basic specimen collection.

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 Georgia, 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 Georgia?

No. Georgia does not require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license. Georgia's clinical laboratory regulations specifically recognize specimen collectors and phlebotomists as a category of personnel who may be employed by licensed clinical laboratories. Their qualifying training and/or experience must be approved by the laboratory director and documented in the laboratory's personnel records. However, national certification may be required by individual employers and is particularly relevant if you want to perform point-of-care testing.

Is national certification required to work as a phlebotomist in Georgia?

Not universally by Georgia state law. Georgia does not require every phlebotomist to hold a national certification simply to collect specimens. The state's rules allow laboratories to employ specimen collectors and phlebotomists qualified through training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director. However, Georgia specifically recognizes certified phlebotomists from organizations such as ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, and AAB for certain point-of-care testing duties. Individual employers may also require national certification as a condition of employment.

How long does it take to become a certified phlebotomist in Georgia?

There is no single state-mandated training length for every Georgia phlebotomist. The amount of time required depends on the training program and national certification organization you choose. A short-term phlebotomy program may be completed in several weeks or a few months, while longer programs may take more time. If you plan to pursue national certification, check the eligibility requirements before enrolling so that your program provides the education and clinical experience required for the examination.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Georgia?

There is no Georgia state phlebotomy licensing fee, because Georgia does not issue a separate state phlebotomy license. Your total cost will depend on the training program and national certification organization you choose. Expenses may include:

• Training tuition

• Books and supplies

• National certification examination fee

• CPR/BLS certification, if required

• Background screening

• Immunizations or health screening required for clinical placement

Because fees vary by school and certification organization, verify current prices before enrolling.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Georgia?

Georgia does not have a state phlebotomy certification that requires renewal. If you hold a national certification, however, you must maintain it according to the requirements of the organization that issued the credential. Those requirements may include continuing education, renewal fees, and other conditions.

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

Potentially, yes. Georgia's regulations allow licensed clinical laboratories to employ specimen collectors and phlebotomists who have qualifying training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director. However, this does not mean every Georgia employer will hire an uncertified phlebotomist. Employers may establish stricter hiring requirements, including national certification.

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

Georgia does not establish one universal training program that every phlebotomist must complete before collecting specimens. However, the state's rules require specimen collectors and phlebotomists to have qualifying training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director, with documentation maintained by the laboratory. Formal phlebotomy education is therefore the most straightforward way to demonstrate competency and prepare for national certification.

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

Georgia does not establish a universal high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, many training programs and national certification organizations require a high school diploma or equivalent, and employers may establish the same requirement. Students should verify the eligibility requirements of their selected training program and certification organization before enrolling.

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

If you are pursuing national certification, the answer depends on the organization and certification pathway you choose. Georgia's rules also require a laboratory to document qualifying training and/or experience for specimen collectors and phlebotomists. Hands-on venipuncture and capillary collection experience is therefore an important part of becoming job-ready, even though Georgia does not establish one universal number of required blood draws for all phlebotomists.

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

Georgia does not impose a universal CPR or BLS requirement specifically for all phlebotomists. However, individual employers and training programs may require CPR or BLS certification. Check the requirements of the employer or clinical site where you intend to work.

Can a Georgia phlebotomist perform point-of-care testing?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Georgia's regulations specifically permit phlebotomists certified by a professional credentialing organization approved by the Department to perform point-of-care testing. The rule specifically identifies ASCP, AMT, NHA, NCCT, AAB, and other Department-approved credentialing organizations. The phlebotomist must also receive appropriate training and have competency verified before performing patient testing.

What happens if my national phlebotomy certification expires?

Because Georgia does not issue a state phlebotomy license, there is no Georgia state reinstatement process for an expired national phlebotomy certification. Instead, follow the reinstatement or reactivation requirements of the organization that issued your credential. Depending on the organization and how long the credential has been expired, you may need additional CE, pay reinstatement fees, or retake the examination.

Can I use PhlebCE courses to renew my Georgia phlebotomy certification?

Potentially, depending on your national certifying organization. Georgia does not impose a state phlebotomy CE requirement. Therefore, the applicable CE requirement comes from the organization that issued your national certification. Before completing CE for renewal, verify that your certifying organization accepts the course toward its current renewal requirements and retain your PhlebCE certificate as documentation.

Does Georgia have a state phlebotomy renewal fee?

No separate Georgia state phlebotomy renewal fee applies. Georgia does not issue a state phlebotomy license, so there is no state phlebotomy license to renew. Any renewal fee would generally be associated with your national certification organization.

Does Georgia regulate clinical laboratory personnel?

Yes. Georgia regulates clinical laboratories and establishes qualifications and responsibilities for various categories of laboratory personnel. The rules specifically address laboratory directors, supervisors, technologists, technicians, trainees, specimen collectors/phlebotomists, and point-of-care personnel.

Importantly, Georgia's rules treat specimen collectors and phlebotomists separately from clinical laboratory technicians and technologists. A person should not assume that qualifying as a phlebotomist automatically qualifies them to perform laboratory testing that requires technician or technologist credentials.

Can a Georgia phlebotomist perform laboratory testing?

Not simply because they are a phlebotomist. Georgia's rules distinguish specimen collection from laboratory testing. Personnel performing laboratory tests in a licensed laboratory must meet the qualifications applicable to the specific laboratory role. There is an important exception for certain point-of-care testing, for which Georgia specifically permits appropriately certified and trained phlebotomists to perform testing under the required supervision and competency procedures.

What is the most important thing to know about phlebotomy requirements in Georgia?

Georgia does not require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license, but the state does regulate the role of phlebotomists within licensed clinical laboratories. Georgia allows laboratories to employ specimen collectors and phlebotomists who have qualifying training and/or experience approved by the laboratory director. National certification is not universally mandated for basic specimen collection, but Georgia specifically recognizes certified phlebotomists for certain point-of-care testing duties.

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