Phlebotomy Recertification in North Dakota

North Dakota does not require phlebotomists to hold a separate state-issued phlebotomy license or certificate to perform phlebotomy procedures. North Dakota law specifically exempts phlebotomy personnel from the state's clinical laboratory personnel licensing requirements.

However, state licensure and employer requirements are not the same thing. Individual hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and other healthcare employers may require formal phlebotomy training, national certification, previous experience, or other qualifications. For example, current North Dakota job postings can specify their own education and experience requirements even though the state does not require a phlebotomy license. This page walks through what it takes to become a certified phlebotomist in North Dakota, how to choose a training program and certifying body, and what is required to maintain your certification once you're working.

Do You Need a License to Be a Phlebotomist in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota does not require a separate state phlebotomy license. North Dakota's clinical laboratory law specifically identifies "phlebotomy personnel performing phlebotomy procedures" among individuals who are exempt from the state's clinical laboratory personnel licensing requirements.

That means there is no North Dakota phlebotomy license application or state phlebotomy licensing examination that an individual must complete simply to perform phlebotomy. However, this does not mean that national certification is required by every employer—or that employers cannot require it. Employers establish their own hiring standards, and certification can make a candidate more competitive. Think of phlebotomy certification in North Dakota as employer-driven rather than state-mandated.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in North Dakota

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. North Dakota does not establish a universal high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required or preferred by employers and training programs.

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

3. Check the eligibility requirements for your chosen certification. National certification organizations have their own requirements for education, training, clinical experience, and successful blood collections. Verify the requirements for the specific credential you plan to pursue before enrolling in a program.

4. Choose and pass a national phlebotomy certification examination. North Dakota does not administer a separate state phlebotomy certification exam. Depending on eligibility and employer preferences, candidates may pursue credentials such as the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT), or another nationally recognized credential.

5. Meet employer-specific requirements. Employers may require national certification, previous phlebotomy experience, CPR/BLS certification, immunizations, background screening, drug screening, or documented competency. Requirements vary between employers.

6. Apply for phlebotomy positions. Phlebotomists work in hospitals, outpatient laboratories, physician offices, diagnostic facilities, blood collection centers, and other healthcare settings throughout North Dakota. The state's workforce information identifies phlebotomists as an occupation involving blood collection, specimen processing, patient interaction, and related duties.

7. Maintain your national certification. If you obtain a national certification, follow the renewal cycle and continuing education requirements established by the organization that issued your credential. North Dakota does not impose a separate state phlebotomy license renewal requirement.

Phlebotomy Recertification in North Dakota

North Dakota does not have a state-specific phlebotomy recertification requirement because phlebotomy personnel are exempt from the state's clinical laboratory personnel licensing requirements. If you hold a national phlebotomy certification, however, you must follow the renewal requirements of the organization that issued your credential. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist and an ASCP-certified phlebotomist may have different renewal cycles, CE requirements, fees, and reinstatement procedures.

To stay current, North Dakota phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification.

• Track their certification expiration date.

• Review the certifying organization's current CE requirements.

• Complete required continuing education before expiration.

• Keep copies of CE certificates and renewal documentation.

• Renew on time to avoid late fees or reinstatement requirements.

• Check employer requirements regularly, since an employer may require active national certification even though North Dakota law does not.

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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota?

No. North Dakota does not require a separate state-issued phlebotomy license. North Dakota law specifically exempts phlebotomy personnel performing phlebotomy procedures from the state's clinical laboratory personnel licensing requirements. However, individual employers may require national certification, formal training, previous experience, or other qualifications as a condition of employment.

Do I need national phlebotomy certification to work in North Dakota?

Not as a general state licensing requirement. North Dakota does not require every phlebotomist to hold a particular national certification. However, employers can establish their own hiring requirements and may require or strongly prefer certification. Before choosing a certification, review job postings for the employers where you plan to work and determine which credentials they accept.

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

North Dakota does not establish a specific state-mandated length for general phlebotomy training. The timeline depends on the training program and certification organization. Many entry-level programs can be completed in several weeks to a few months, depending on classroom, laboratory, and clinical requirements.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in North Dakota?

There is no North Dakota state phlebotomy license fee, because the state does not issue a separate general phlebotomy license. Your expenses may include:

• Phlebotomy training tuition

• National certification examination fees

• Textbooks and study materials

• CPR/BLS certification

• Background screening

• Immunization or health-screening requirements

• Clinical fees

Costs vary depending on the training provider and certification organization.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in North Dakota?

Yes, if you hold a national phlebotomy certification. The renewal requirement comes from your national certifying organization, not the State of North Dakota. North Dakota does not establish a separate state phlebotomy license renewal cycle.

Does North Dakota require continuing education for phlebotomists?

North Dakota does not impose a general state CE-hour requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, your national certification organization may require continuing education to maintain your credential. Employers may also require periodic competency training, infection-control education, CPR/BLS renewal, or other workplace education.

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in North Dakota?

Potentially, depending on your national certifying organization. Because North Dakota does not have a state phlebotomy CE requirement, the acceptability of online CE is primarily determined by the organization that issued your national certification. Before completing a course, verify that your certifying organization accepts online CE and that the course and provider meet its current requirements.

What happens if my phlebotomy certification expires in North Dakota?

The consequences depend on the organization that issued your national certification. Depending on how long the credential has been expired, you may be able to renew late, pay an additional fee, complete additional CE, or follow a reinstatement process. Some organizations may require you to retake the certification examination after an extended expiration period. Because North Dakota does not issue a general phlebotomy license, there is no separate North Dakota phlebotomy license-reinstatement process.

How long is a phlebotomy certification valid in North Dakota?

There is no North Dakota-established expiration period for a general phlebotomy certification. The expiration date is determined by the national organization that issued your certification.

Do I need to renew my NHA certification separately?

Yes. If you hold an NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential, NHA's renewal requirements apply separately from North Dakota requirements. NHA renewal should be completed through your NHA account according to its current renewal cycle, continuing education requirements, and fees.

Does North Dakota require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

There is no general North Dakota state CPR or BLS requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, individual employers or training programs may require current CPR or BLS certification.

Does North Dakota require clinical experience to become a phlebotomist?

North Dakota does not establish a universal number of clinical hours or successful venipunctures for general phlebotomists. However, individual training programs and national certification organizations may establish clinical or blood-collection requirements. Employers may also require previous experience or documented competency.

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

There is no universal North Dakota state requirement specifically requiring every phlebotomist to have a high school diploma or GED. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required or preferred by employers and training programs.

Can I work as a phlebotomist without national certification in North Dakota?

Potentially, yes. North Dakota does not generally require phlebotomists to hold a national certification as a condition of state licensure. However, an employer can make certification a condition of employment. In other words, a person may not be required by state law to hold national certification but may still need it to qualify for a particular position.

Can a medical assistant perform phlebotomy in North Dakota?

Whether a medical assistant can perform phlebotomy depends on the individual's training and competency, employer policies, supervision, and the specific duties involved. North Dakota does not have a separate general phlebotomy license that a medical assistant must obtain solely to perform blood collection. Employers may nevertheless require formal phlebotomy training and/or national certification.

Does North Dakota require a certain number of venipunctures?

No universal state-required number of successful venipunctures applies to general phlebotomists in North Dakota. However, national certification organizations may establish blood-collection requirements for examination eligibility, and training programs may have their own clinical requirements.

Can I use an out-of-state phlebotomy certification in North Dakota?

Generally, yes, provided the employer accepts the credential. Because North Dakota does not issue a separate general phlebotomy license, there is no North Dakota phlebotomy license for which traditional state reciprocity is required. If you hold a national certification such as NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, AMT RPT, or NCCT NCPT, verify that the employer accepts that particular credential.

Does North Dakota regulate clinical laboratories?

Yes. North Dakota has a clinical laboratory regulatory framework, and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services provides information concerning CLIA laboratories and personnel licensure. However, regulation of clinical laboratories and laboratory testing is different from requiring an individual phlebotomist to hold a state phlebotomy license. North Dakota law specifically exempts phlebotomy personnel performing phlebotomy procedures from the state's clinical laboratory personnel licensing requirements.

View Requirements