Phlebotomy Recertification in Tennessee

Tennessee does not require phlebotomists to hold a state-issued phlebotomy license, but employers may require national certification and formal training. Tennessee law also specifically requires blood collection in certain healthcare settings to be performed by a trained phlebotomist or another appropriately licensed healthcare professional.

This page walks through what it actually takes to become a certified phlebotomist in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee?

Tennessee does not issue a separate state phlebotomy license to individual phlebotomists. The Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board licenses certain categories of medical laboratory personnel, but phlebotomists are not listed as a separately licensed personnel category. However, Tennessee law does place specific requirements on blood collection in certain healthcare settings. For example, when blood is withdrawn from patients in nursing homes, homes for the aged, residential hospice or recuperation centers, or from patients of home-care organizations, the procedure must be performed by a trained phlebotomist or by an appropriately licensed healthcare professional.

Tennessee rules also require licensed facilities to maintain records verifying the appropriate training of phlebotomists. Therefore, Tennessee is best described as a non-licensure state for phlebotomists with training and employer-driven certification requirements. There is no Tennessee phlebotomy license application or state phlebotomy licensing examination, but completing formal training and earning a national certification can be important for employment and may be particularly important when working in settings covered by Tennessee's trained-phlebotomist requirement.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Tennessee

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. A high school diploma or equivalent is commonly required for admission to phlebotomy training programs and by national certification organizations. Verify the specific eligibility requirements of the training program and certification exam you plan to pursue.

2. Complete a phlebotomy training program. Choose a program that provides instruction in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection prevention and control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary puncture, specimen handling, order of draw, safety, and complications of blood collection. Tennessee does not establish one universal state-mandated number of classroom or clinical hours for every phlebotomist, so program requirements vary.

3. Complete supervised hands-on training. Hands-on clinical experience is an important component of phlebotomy preparation. The number of required venipunctures, capillary collections, and clinical hours depends on the training program and the national certification organization selected.

4. Choose and pass a national certification examination. Tennessee does not administer a state phlebotomy certification examination. National credentials such as the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), or NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) may be used to demonstrate professional competency, depending on employer requirements and the eligibility pathway you choose.

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

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

7. Maintain your national certification. Once you earn a national credential, follow the certification organization's renewal cycle and continuing education requirements. Tennessee does not create a separate state phlebotomy license renewal requirement for phlebotomists.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Tennessee

Tennessee does not have a state phlebotomy license that individual phlebotomists must renew. Consequently, there is no Tennessee state phlebotomy license renewal fee or general state-mandated CE requirement specifically for maintaining a phlebotomy license. If you hold a national certification, however, you must follow the requirements established by the organization that issued your credential. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomy technician and an AMT-certified phlebotomy technician may have different renewal cycles, continuing education requirements, fees, and reinstatement procedures.

Tennessee's Medical Laboratory Board does have continuing education requirements for licensed medical laboratory personnel, and the Board maintains a list of organizations and providers whose educational activities it accepts for those licensees. Those requirements should not be confused with a state CE requirement for phlebotomists, because phlebotomists are not separately licensed by the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board.

To stay current, Tennessee phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their national certification.

• Track their certification expiration date.

• Review their certifying organization's current CE requirements.

• Complete CE that is eligible for their specific credential.

• Maintain copies of CE certificates and other renewal documentation.

• Renew before the certification expires.

• Check with their employer for any additional competency, certification, or training requirements.

• Maintain documentation of phlebotomy training, particularly when working in settings subject to Tennessee's trained-phlebotomist requirements.

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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee?

No. Tennessee does not require individual phlebotomists to obtain a state-issued phlebotomy license. The Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board licenses various categories of laboratory personnel, but phlebotomists are not listed as a separately licensed category. However, Tennessee law requires blood collection in certain settings to be performed by a trained phlebotomist or another appropriately licensed healthcare professional. This applies, for example, to blood collection from patients in nursing homes, homes for the aged, residential hospice or recuperation centers, and home-care organizations.

Do I need national phlebotomy certification to work in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not have a universal state requirement that every phlebotomist hold national certification. However, employers may require or strongly prefer national certification as a condition of employment. National certification can also provide documentation of competency and may make it easier to meet employer requirements.

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

There is no single state-mandated training length for all Tennessee phlebotomists. The length of a training program depends on the school, schedule, curriculum, clinical requirements, and certification pathway. Some programs can be completed in several weeks, while college-based programs may take longer. Candidates should select a program that provides sufficient hands-on training and meets the eligibility requirements of the certification exam they intend to take.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not charge a state phlebotomy licensing fee because individual phlebotomists do not obtain a Tennessee phlebotomy license. Your total cost may include:

• Phlebotomy training tuition

• Textbooks and supplies

• Clinical or laboratory fees

• National certification examination fee

• CPR/BLS certification

• Background screening

• Immunizations or health screening

Costs vary by training provider and national certification organization.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Tennessee?

If you hold a national certification, yes. Your renewal requirements come from the organization that issued your certification rather than from the State of Tennessee. Tennessee does not have a separate state phlebotomy license renewal process.

Does Tennessee require continuing education for phlebotomists?

Tennessee does not impose a general state CE requirement on phlebotomists for maintaining a state phlebotomy license, because phlebotomists are not separately licensed by the state. However, national certification organizations may require continuing education to maintain certification. Employers may also require additional training or competency education.

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in Tennessee?

Online CE may be accepted, depending on your national certification organization. Because Tennessee does not have a state phlebotomy license CE requirement, acceptance of online CE depends on the organization that issued your credential. Before completing a course, verify that your certifying organization accepts online CE and that the provider meets its current requirements.

What happens if my phlebotomy certification expires in Tennessee?

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 complete late renewal, pay additional fees, complete additional CE, or follow a reinstatement process. Some organizations may require you to retake the certification examination after an extended lapse. Because Tennessee does not issue an individual phlebotomy license, there is no separate Tennessee phlebotomy license reinstatement process.

How long is a phlebotomy certification valid in Tennessee?

There is no single Tennessee expiration period for national phlebotomy certifications. The expiration date and renewal cycle are determined by the organization that issued your credential.

Do I need to renew my NHA certification separately?

Yes. If you hold an NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) credential, NHA certification renewal is separate from Tennessee's state requirements. You must follow NHA's current renewal cycle, continuing education requirements, fees, and reinstatement policies.

Does Tennessee require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

Tennessee does not have a general state CPR/BLS requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, an employer or training program may require CPR or BLS certification as a condition of employment, clinical participation, or onboarding.

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

Tennessee does not establish a universal state diploma or GED requirement specifically for every person performing phlebotomy. However, high school completion or an equivalent credential is commonly required by training programs and national certification organizations. Candidates should verify the requirements of their selected program and certification organization.

Does Tennessee require phlebotomy training?

Tennessee does not establish one universal statewide training curriculum or minimum number of training hours for every phlebotomist. However, Tennessee law specifically uses the term "trained phlebotomist" in connection with blood collection in certain healthcare settings. Tennessee rules also require licensed facilities to maintain records verifying appropriate phlebotomy training. For this reason, completing a formal phlebotomy training program with documented hands-on experience is strongly recommended.

Does Tennessee require a certain number of venipunctures?

There is no universal Tennessee state minimum number of venipunctures that applies to every phlebotomist. The number of successful blood collections required depends on the training program and national certification pathway.

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

From a state phlebotomy-licensing standpoint, yes. Tennessee does not require individual phlebotomists to obtain a state license or universal national certification. However, an employer can establish its own hiring requirements, and many healthcare employers may require national certification. In addition, certain Tennessee healthcare settings are subject to the requirement that blood collection be performed by a trained phlebotomist or another appropriately licensed healthcare professional.

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

Because Tennessee does not issue an individual state phlebotomy license, there is generally no Tennessee phlebotomy license to transfer from another state. A current national certification can be presented to Tennessee employers, but employers determine which credentials they accept.

Is Tennessee phlebotomy certification the same as national certification?

No. Tennessee does not issue a separate state phlebotomy certification or license to individual phlebotomists. Credentials such as NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, AMT RPT, or NCCT NCPT are national certifications issued by credentialing organizations.

Are phlebotomists regulated by the Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board?

The Tennessee Medical Laboratory Board regulates medical laboratory personnel and facilities, but phlebotomists are not listed as a separately licensed category of laboratory personnel. The Board's rules do, however, address phlebotomists in the context of exemptions from laboratory personnel licensure and require certain licensed facilities to maintain documentation of appropriate phlebotomy training.

View Requirements