Phlebotomy Recertification in Mississippi

Mississippi does not currently require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license or certification for individuals performing routine phlebotomy/specimen collection. The Mississippi State Department of Health's Professional Licensure Division regulates and licenses specific health-related professions, but phlebotomists are not listed among the professions it licenses.National phlebotomy certification is therefore not a general state licensing requirement in Mississippi, although employers may require or strongly prefer certification as a condition of employment.

This page walks through what it takes to become a certified phlebotomist in Mississippi, how to choose a training program and certifying body, and what's required to stay certified once you're working.

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

No. Mississippi does not currently issue a separate state phlebotomy license for general phlebotomy practice. The Mississippi State Department of Health maintains a list of health professions it licenses and regulates, and phlebotomists are not included on that list.

That means there is currently:

• No Mississippi phlebotomy license application

• No Mississippi-specific phlebotomy licensing examination

• No state phlebotomy license renewal cycle

• No state-mandated phlebotomy CE requirement

However, state law and employer requirements are different things. A hospital, laboratory, physician practice, outpatient clinic, or other healthcare employer can establish its own hiring requirements and may require national certification, formal training, documented venipuncture experience, CPR/BLS certification, or other qualifications. Mississippi's Board of Nursing also recognizes phlebotomy/venipuncture as a procedure that an appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse may perform for specimen collection when specific conditions are met, including education and competency, a medical order, accepted standards of practice, and facility policies.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Mississippi

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Mississippi does not establish a universal state education requirement for general phlebotomists. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required by phlebotomy training programs and national certification organizations.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program. Choose a program that covers anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, safety, and complications of blood collection. A program that includes supervised hands-on practice can help prepare you for both certification and employment.

3. Complete the clinical requirements for your chosen certification. National certification organizations establish their own eligibility requirements. Depending on the certification pathway, you may need documented venipunctures, capillary collections, classroom education, clinical training, or work experience. Check the requirements of your chosen certification organization before enrolling in a training program.

4. Choose and pass a national certification examination.  Mississippi does not administer a state phlebotomy licensing examination. Candidates who want a national credential can select a recognized certification organization and meet its eligibility and examination requirements.

5. Meet employer-specific requirements. Employers may require national certification, CPR/BLS certification, immunizations, background screening, drug screening, or additional competency documentation. Requirements vary by employer.

6. Apply for phlebotomy positions. Certified phlebotomists may work in hospitals, physician offices, outpatient laboratories, diagnostic facilities, blood collection centers, and other healthcare settings.

7. Maintain your national certification. Because Mississippi does not issue a state phlebotomy credential, your renewal and continuing education obligations come from the national certification organization that issued your credential.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Mississippi

Mississippi does not have a state-specific phlebotomy recertification requirement because it does not issue a general state phlebotomy license or certificate. Instead, renewal requirements apply to the national certification held by the phlebotomist. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist and a phlebotomist certified through another national organization may have different renewal cycles, CE requirements, renewal fees, and reinstatement procedures. Those requirements come from the individual certification organization—not from the State of Mississippi.

To stay current, Mississippi phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification.

• Keep track of the certification expiration date.

• Review the organization's current renewal and CE requirements.

• Complete required CE before the credential expires.

• Keep copies of CE certificates and other renewal documentation.

• Renew on time to avoid late-renewal or reinstatement requirements.

• Check employer requirements periodically, since employers may establish their own certification standards.

The Mississippi State Department of Health does regulate and license certain health-related professions, but phlebotomy is not currently included among the professions listed by its Professional Licensure Division.

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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not currently require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license for general phlebotomy practice. The Mississippi State Department of Health licenses and regulates certain health-related professions, but phlebotomists are not listed among those professions. However, an employer may require national certification or other qualifications before hiring a phlebotomist.

Do I need national certification to work as a phlebotomist in Mississippi?

Not as a general requirement under Mississippi state law. Mississippi does not require national phlebotomy certification for general phlebotomy practice. However, individual employers may require or strongly prefer national certification. If you are planning to work for a particular hospital, laboratory, or healthcare organization, check its job requirements before deciding whether and which national certification to pursue.

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

There is no state-mandated training length for general phlebotomists in Mississippi. The timeline depends on the training program and national certification organization you choose. Many entry-level programs can be completed in several weeks to a few months, depending on the program's schedule and clinical requirements. Make sure the program you select meets the eligibility requirements for the national certification exam you plan to take.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Mississippi?

There is no Mississippi state phlebotomy license fee, because Mississippi does not issue a general state phlebotomy license.

Your total cost may include:

• Phlebotomy training tuition

• National certification examination fee

• Study materials

• CPR/BLS certification, if required

• Background screening or health requirements, if required

Costs vary by training provider and certification organization.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Mississippi?

Yes, if you hold a national phlebotomy certification. The renewal requirement comes from your national certifying organization, not the State of Mississippi. Mississippi does not have a state phlebotomy certification renewal cycle.

Does Mississippi require continuing education for phlebotomists?

Mississippi does not impose a state-specific continuing education requirement for general phlebotomists. However, your national certification organization may require continuing education to maintain your credential. Employers may also require periodic competency training or education.

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in Mississippi?

Generally, yes, if your national certifying organization accepts online education. Because Mississippi does not have a state phlebotomy CE requirement, whether online CE counts toward renewal depends on the organization that issued your national certification. Before completing CE for renewal, verify the organization's requirements regarding approved providers, course content, delivery method, and documentation.

What happens if my national phlebotomy certification expires?

The consequences depend on your certifying organization. Depending on how long the credential has been expired, the organization may allow late renewal, require additional CE and fees for reinstatement, or require you to retake the certification examination. Because Mississippi does not issue a state phlebotomy license, there is no separate Mississippi phlebotomy license-reinstatement process.

How long is a phlebotomy certification valid in Mississippi?

There is no Mississippi-established expiration period because Mississippi does not issue a general state phlebotomy credential. Your expiration date is determined by the national certification organization that issued your credential.

Do I need to renew my NHA certification separately?

Yes. If you hold an NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification, your NHA credential has its own renewal requirements separate from Mississippi state requirements. NHA renewal should be completed through NHA according to its current certification cycle, CE requirements, and applicable fees.

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

Potentially, yes. Mississippi does not require national phlebotomy certification under a general state phlebotomy licensing law. However, an employer can make national certification a condition of employment. Therefore, someone may be legally permitted to perform routine phlebotomy without national certification but still be unable to obtain a particular job because the employer requires certification.

Does Mississippi require a high school diploma or GED to become a phlebotomist?

Mississippi does not establish a universal state high-school-diploma or GED requirement for general phlebotomists. However, individual training programs and national certification organizations may require a high school diploma or equivalent. Check the requirements of your selected program and certification organization before enrolling.

Does Mississippi require clinical experience to become a phlebotomist?

Mississippi does not establish a universal state clinical-hour or venipuncture requirement for general phlebotomists. However, national certification organizations may require documented blood collections, clinical training, or work experience. Training programs may also require supervised clinical practice.

Does Mississippi require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

There is no general Mississippi state CPR or BLS requirement specifically for phlebotomists. An employer or training program may nevertheless require CPR or BLS certification as a condition of employment or program completion.

Who regulates phlebotomy in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not have a dedicated state board that licenses general phlebotomists. The Mississippi State Department of Health's Professional Licensure Division regulates and licenses certain health-related professions, but phlebotomy is not among the professions listed by the division. Other healthcare professionals who perform phlebotomy may be regulated by their respective licensing boards. For example, the Mississippi Board of Nursing provides specific guidance regarding when appropriately prepared licensed practical nurses may perform phlebotomy for specimen collection.

Does Mississippi have a state phlebotomy license or certification?

No. Mississippi does not currently issue a separate state phlebotomy license or certificate for general phlebotomy practice. National certification is separate from state licensure and may still be required by an employer.

Can a medical assistant perform phlebotomy in Mississippi?

Potentially, depending on the individual's education and competency, employer policies, the healthcare setting, and the specific duties being performed. Mississippi does not have a separate general phlebotomy license that a medical assistant must obtain solely to perform routine blood collection. However, employers may require formal phlebotomy training and/or national certification.

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