Phlebotomy Recertification in Illinois

Illinois does not require phlebotomists to hold a state-issued phlebotomy license or national certification. However, Illinois does have a specific state requirement concerning the education and training of individuals who perform blood collection.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) states that phlebotomists are not required to be licensed in Illinois or to have a CLIA certificate to draw blood samples. However, a phlebotomist must have a high school diploma or higher education and documentation that they have completed a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing. National certification is not required by Illinois law, but individual employers may require or prefer certification. As a result, completing an approved or reputable training program and obtaining a national phlebotomy credential can improve employment opportunities.

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

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

No. Illinois does not require phlebotomists to hold a state phlebotomy license. The Illinois Department of Public Health specifically states that phlebotomists are not required to be licensed in Illinois or to have a CLIA certificate to draw blood samples.

However, Illinois does impose an important education and training requirement. According to IDPH, a phlebotomist must have a high school diploma or higher education and documentation of completion of a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing. Illinois law also provides that specimen collection must be performed by appropriate technical personnel or a trained healthcare professional, and collection must be under the direction of or upon the written request of an authorized physician or dentist.

Therefore, Illinois is somewhat different from states that have no state regulation at all:

• State phlebotomy license: Not required

• State phlebotomy certification: Not required

• High school diploma or higher education: Required

• Documented blood-drawing training: Required

• National certification: Not required by state law, but may be required or preferred by employers

• CLIA certificate for simply drawing blood: Not required for the individual phlebotomist

The practical takeaway is that Illinois does not license phlebotomists, but it does require education and documented training for individuals performing blood collection.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Illinois

1. Earn a high school diploma or higher education.
   Illinois requires a phlebotomist to have a high school diploma or higher education. This is more than simply a common employer preference—the Illinois Department of Public Health specifically identifies this education requirement for individuals performing phlebotomy.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program.
   Illinois requires documentation that the individual has completed a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing. Training should cover subjects such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection prevention and control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, safety, and complications of blood collection.

3. Complete the required hands-on training.
   Illinois does not establish a single statewide number of classroom or clinical hours for every phlebotomist. However, your training program should provide adequate supervised instruction and hands-on practice to document competency in blood collection.

4. Consider obtaining national certification.
   National certification is not required by Illinois state law, but it can make you more competitive in the employment market. Depending on the employer, accepted credentials may include certifications from organizations such as NHA, ASCP, AMT, or NCCT. Check your intended employer's requirements before selecting a certification exam.

5. Meet employer-specific requirements.
   Individual employers may require national certification, CPR/BLS certification, background screening, immunizations, drug screening, previous healthcare experience, or other qualifications.

6. Apply for phlebotomy positions.
   Once you have completed the required education and training, and obtained national certification if required or preferred by your target employer, you can apply for positions in hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, outpatient centers, blood collection facilities, and other healthcare settings.

7. Maintain your national certification.
   Illinois does not have a state phlebotomy license to renew. If you choose to maintain a national certification, however, you must follow the renewal and continuing education requirements established by your certifying organization.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Illinois

Illinois does not have a state phlebotomy license or state phlebotomy recertification requirement. The Illinois Department of Public Health specifically confirms that phlebotomists are not required to be licensed in Illinois. This means there is no Illinois phlebotomy license renewal application, state phlebotomy renewal fee, or state-mandated phlebotomy CE cycle. However, Illinois does require appropriate education and training to perform blood collection, so maintaining documentation of your original training is important.

If you hold a national certification, your renewal requirements come from the organization that issued your certification, not from the State of Illinois. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist follows NHA's renewal requirements, while an ASCP-certified phlebotomist follows ASCP's requirements.

To stay current, Illinois phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification and when it expires.

• Track the CE requirement for that specific certification.

• Complete required CE before the certification expires.

• Keep copies of CE certificates and training documentation.

• Verify that outside CE courses are accepted before counting them toward renewal.

• Check employer requirements, because an employer may require active national certification even though Illinois law does not.

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

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 Illinois, 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 Illinois?

No. Illinois does not require phlebotomists to hold a state-issued license. The Illinois Department of Public Health specifically states that phlebotomists are not required to be licensed in Illinois or to have a CLIA certificate to draw blood samples. However, Illinois does require a phlebotomist to have a high school diploma or higher education and documented training for proper patient care in blood drawing.

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

Not by Illinois state law. Illinois does not require national phlebotomy certification as a condition of practicing phlebotomy. However, individual healthcare employers may require or prefer national certification. If you plan to work for a hospital, reference laboratory, or large healthcare system, check current job postings before selecting a certification organization.

What education is required to become a phlebotomist in Illinois?

Illinois requires a phlebotomist to have a high school diploma or higher education and documentation of completion of a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing. This makes Illinois different from states that simply leave phlebotomy training entirely to employers.

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

Illinois does not establish one statewide training length for phlebotomists. Your timeline depends on the training program and national certification pathway you choose. A program may include classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and supervised clinical experience. If you pursue national certification, you must also meet the eligibility requirements of the organization administering your examination.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Illinois?

There is no Illinois state phlebotomy licensing fee because Illinois does not issue a state phlebotomy license. Your total cost will depend on the training program and national certification organization you choose. Potential expenses 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

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Illinois?

There is no Illinois state phlebotomy certification to renew. If you hold a national phlebotomy certification, however, you must maintain it according to the renewal requirements of the organization that issued your credential. Illinois does not impose a separate state phlebotomy CE or recertification requirement.

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

Yes, potentially. Illinois law does not require national phlebotomy certification. However, you must meet Illinois' education and training requirements for blood collection, and your employer may impose additional requirements. Therefore, an individual could be legally eligible to perform phlebotomy under Illinois requirements but still be unable to obtain a particular job without national certification.

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

Yes. The Illinois Department of Public Health states that a phlebotomist must have documentation that they have completed a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing. The state does not require a specific national certification, but documented training is required.

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

Illinois requires a high school diploma or higher education for a phlebotomist. Because the state specifically says "high school diploma or higher education," I would avoid wording this as simply "high school diploma or GED" unless you are separately confirming that a GED is accepted as the equivalent for the specific employment or training pathway.

Do I need clinical experience to become a phlebotomist in Illinois?

Illinois requires documented completion of a training program for proper patient care in blood drawing, but it does not establish one universal statewide clinical-hour or venipuncture-number requirement for every phlebotomist. The amount of hands-on experience required may depend on your training program, national certification pathway, and employer.

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

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

Do I need a CLIA certificate to draw blood in Illinois?

No. The Illinois Department of Public Health specifically states that a phlebotomist does not need a CLIA certificate to draw blood samples. However, a facility that performs laboratory testing may itself be required to have an appropriate CLIA certificate. The requirement applies to the laboratory/testing operation rather than simply to an individual phlebotomist collecting specimens.

Who can order a blood specimen collection in Illinois?

Illinois IDPH states that a request for specimen collection must come from a licensed physician or another person authorized by law. Blood collection may be performed by appropriate clinical laboratory technical personnel or a trained healthcare professional, including a phlebotomist, under the direction of or upon the written request of an authorized physician or dentist.

What happens if my national phlebotomy certification expires?

Because Illinois does not issue a state phlebotomy license, there is no Illinois state reinstatement process for an expired national certification. Instead, you must follow the reinstatement or reactivation requirements of the organization that issued your certification. Requirements can vary depending on how long the credential has been expired. Some organizations permit reinstatement with additional CE and fees, while others may eventually require a new examination.

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

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

Does Illinois have a state phlebotomy renewal fee?

No. Illinois does not issue a state phlebotomy license, so there is no Illinois state phlebotomy renewal fee. If you maintain a national certification, any applicable renewal fee is paid to the national certifying organization, not the State of Illinois.

Can a medical assistant perform phlebotomy in Illinois?

Potentially, provided the individual meets Illinois' applicable requirements for blood collection and has the appropriate training. Illinois IDPH identifies a phlebotomist as one type of trained healthcare professional who may collect blood under the appropriate direction or written request. A medical assistant should therefore have appropriate documented training in blood drawing and work within the scope of duties permitted by the employer and applicable law.

Does Illinois regulate phlebotomy through the Department of Public Health?

Yes, but Illinois does not create a separate phlebotomy license. The Illinois Department of Public Health provides specific guidance stating that phlebotomists do not need an Illinois license or CLIA certificate to draw blood, while also identifying education and blood-drawing training requirements.

View Requirements