Phlebotomy Recertification in Missouri

Missouri does not currently require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license or certification for individuals performing routine phlebotomy. Phlebotomy is not listed as a separately licensed healthcare profession under Missouri's occupational licensing structure. Missouri does regulate healthcare professions and clinical laboratory activities, but those requirements are distinct from an individual phlebotomy license.

National phlebotomy certification is therefore not generally mandated by Missouri state law, although individual hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and other healthcare employers may require or strongly prefer national certification. This page walks through what it takes to become a certified phlebotomist in Missouri, 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 Missouri?

No. Missouri does not currently issue a separate state phlebotomy license for general phlebotomy practice. There is no Missouri Board of Phlebotomy and no Missouri-specific phlebotomy licensing examination or application process for someone working as a general phlebotomist. Missouri does regulate a number of healthcare professions through state licensing boards, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services oversees applicable clinical laboratory and public-health programs. However, these regulations should not be confused with individual phlebotomy licensure.

This means Missouri does not have:

• A state phlebotomy license application

• A state phlebotomy licensing examination

• A state phlebotomy license renewal cycle

• A state-mandated phlebotomy CE requirement

However, not being required to hold a state license does not mean certification is unnecessary for employment. Employers can establish their own hiring requirements and may require national certification, formal phlebotomy training, documented venipunctures, CPR/BLS certification, background screening, or other qualifications. Think of phlebotomy certification in Missouri as employer-driven rather than state-mandated.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Missouri

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Missouri does not establish a universal high-school-diploma or GED requirement for general phlebotomists. However, these credentials are commonly required by phlebotomy training programs and national certification organizations.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program. Select a program that provides education in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection prevention, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, safety, and complications of blood collection. A program with supervised hands-on practice can help prepare you for certification and employment.

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

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

5. Meet employer-specific requirements.  Missouri employers may require national certification, CPR/BLS certification, immunizations, background checks, drug screening, or additional competency documentation.

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

7. Maintain your national certification.  Since Missouri does not issue a general state phlebotomy credential, your certification renewal and continuing education requirements come from the organization that issued your national certification.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Missouri

Missouri does not have a state-specific phlebotomy recertification requirement because the state does not issue a general 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, fees, and reinstatement procedures. Those requirements come from the individual certification organization—not from the State of Missouri.

To stay current, Missouri phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification.

• Keep track of their 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 renewal documentation.

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

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

Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services does oversee applicable laboratory programs, including the state's role in CLIA administration, but CLIA regulates laboratories, not an individual phlebotomist's state license.

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 Missouri 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 Missouri?

No. Missouri does not currently require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license for general phlebotomy practice. Missouri regulates numerous healthcare professions, but phlebotomy is not currently established as a separately licensed profession. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also oversees applicable laboratory programs, but these requirements are separate from individual phlebotomy licensure. An employer may nevertheless require national certification as a condition of employment.

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

Not as a general requirement under Missouri state law. Missouri does not require every general phlebotomist to hold a national certification. However, individual employers may require or strongly prefer certification. If you have a particular hospital, laboratory, or healthcare organization in mind, review its job requirements before deciding which certification to pursue.

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

There is no state-mandated training length for general phlebotomists in Missouri. 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 schedule and clinical requirements. Make sure your selected program meets the eligibility requirements for the certification examination you plan to take.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Missouri?

There is no Missouri state phlebotomy license fee, because Missouri 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 Missouri?

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

Does Missouri require continuing education for phlebotomists?

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

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in Missouri?

Generally, yes, if your national certifying organization accepts online education. Because Missouri 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 for 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 Missouri does not issue a state phlebotomy license, there is no separate Missouri phlebotomy license-reinstatement process.

How long is a phlebotomy certification valid in Missouri?

There is no Missouri-established expiration period because Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri without national certification?

Potentially, yes. Missouri does not generally require national phlebotomy certification under a 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 position because the employer requires it.

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

Missouri 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 Missouri require clinical experience to become a phlebotomist?

Missouri 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 Missouri require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

There is no general Missouri 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 Missouri?

Missouri does not have a dedicated state board that licenses general phlebotomists. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services oversees various public-health and laboratory programs, including the state's CLIA-related laboratory functions. CLIA requirements apply to covered laboratories and are separate from individual phlebotomy licensure. Other healthcare professionals who perform phlebotomy may be regulated by their respective licensing boards.

Does Missouri have a state phlebotomy license or certification?

No. Missouri 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 Missouri?

Potentially, depending on the individual's education and competency, employer policies, the healthcare setting, and the specific duties being performed. Missouri 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.

Does Missouri have any special requirements for phlebotomists working in laboratories?

Laboratories themselves may be subject to CLIA requirements, which are designed to ensure the quality of laboratory testing. Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services provides information about CLIA certification and laboratory regulation. These laboratory requirements should not be interpreted as a separate Missouri phlebotomy license requirement.

View Requirements