Phlebotomy Recertification in Virginia

Virginia does not currently require individual phlebotomists to hold a state-issued phlebotomy license or certification. Phlebotomist is not listed among the professions regulated by the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP).

However, national certification and formal phlebotomy training may be required or preferred by individual employers. Healthcare employers can establish their own qualifications for phlebotomy positions, including education, hands-on experience, national certification, CPR/BLS certification, background screening, and other onboarding requirements.

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

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

Virginia does not issue a separate state phlebotomy license to individual phlebotomists. Phlebotomist does not appear on the Virginia Department of Health Professions' list of regulated professions. Therefore, there is no Virginia phlebotomy license application, state phlebotomy licensing examination, or state phlebotomy license renewal process for individuals working as phlebotomists.

Virginia law does specifically recognize phlebotomists as individuals authorized to withdraw blood in certain circumstances, such as blood draws performed for alcohol or drug testing. This recognition does not create a general Virginia phlebotomy license requirement. That said, "no state license required" does not mean "no certification required by employers." Employers may require national certification or other qualifications before allowing an individual to perform phlebotomy. Think of phlebotomy certification in Virginia as employer- and credentialing-organization-driven rather than state-mandated.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in Virginia

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Virginia does not establish a universal state diploma requirement specifically for 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 prevention and control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary puncture, specimen handling, order of draw, safety, and complications of blood collection.

3. Complete supervised hands-on training. Clinical requirements vary according to the training program and national certification organization. Before enrolling, verify that the program provides enough hands-on experience to satisfy the eligibility requirements for the certification exam you intend to take.

4. Choose and pass a national certification examination. Virginia does not administer a state phlebotomy certification examination. Candidates can pursue a nationally recognized credential such as the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT), AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT), or NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT), provided they meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

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

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

7. Maintain your national certification. If you earn a national credential, follow the issuing organization's renewal cycle and continuing education requirements. Virginia does not have a separate state phlebotomy certification renewal process.

Phlebotomy Recertification in Virginia

Virginia does not currently have an individual state phlebotomy license or certification that phlebotomists must periodically renew. The Virginia Department of Health Professions' current list of regulated professions does not include phlebotomists. As a result, there is no Virginia state phlebotomy renewal application, state renewal fee, or state-mandated continuing education requirement specifically for maintaining a phlebotomy license.

If you hold a national certification, however, you must follow the renewal requirements established by the organization that issued your credential. For example, an NHA-certified phlebotomist and an AMT-certified phlebotomist working in the same Virginia healthcare facility could have different renewal cycles, CE requirements, fees, and reinstatement procedures because those requirements are established by their respective certifying organizations.

To stay current, Virginia phlebotomists should:

• Know which organization issued their certification and its renewal cycle.

• Track their certification expiration date.

• Complete the required continuing education for their specific credential.

• Keep copies of CE certificates and renewal documentation.

• Renew before the certification expires to avoid reinstatement 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia?

No. Virginia does not currently require individual phlebotomists to hold a state-issued phlebotomy license or certification. Phlebotomist is not listed among the professions regulated by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. However, individual employers may require national certification and formal phlebotomy training as a condition of employment.

Do I need national phlebotomy certification to work in Virginia?

Not as a universal state requirement. Virginia does not require every phlebotomist to hold a national certification. However, an employer can require national certification as part of its hiring or competency standards. Certification may therefore be an important credential even though it is not mandated by Virginia law.

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

There is no state-mandated training length for phlebotomists in Virginia. The timeframe depends on the training program and certification pathway you choose. Short-term programs may take several weeks, while college-based programs can take several months. Your total timeline will also depend on completing required clinical experience and scheduling your national certification examination.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in Virginia?

There is no Virginia state phlebotomy licensing fee because Virginia does not issue an individual phlebotomy license. Your total cost may include:

• Phlebotomy training tuition

• Textbooks and supplies

• Clinical fees

• National certification examination fee

• CPR/BLS certification

• Background screening

• Immunizations or health screening

Costs vary by training provider and national certifying organization.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in Virginia?

If you hold a national certification, yes. The renewal requirement comes from the organization that issued your national credential rather than the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia does not have a separate state phlebotomy license renewal process.

Does Virginia require continuing education for phlebotomists?

Virginia does not have a state-specific continuing education requirement for phlebotomists. Because phlebotomy is not a separately regulated profession through the Virginia Department of Health Professions, there is no Virginia state phlebotomy CE requirement. However, national certification organizations may require CE to maintain certification, and employers may require additional education or competency training.

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in Virginia?

Online CE may be accepted, depending on your national certifying organization. Since Virginia does not establish a state phlebotomy CE requirement, the organization that issued your national certification determines whether online CE qualifies for renewal. Before completing a course, verify that the course and provider meet your certification organization's current requirements.

What happens if my phlebotomy certification expires in Virginia?

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 an examination if the credential has been expired for an extended period. There is no separate Virginia phlebotomy license reinstatement process because Virginia does not issue an individual phlebotomy license.

How long is a phlebotomy certification valid in Virginia?

There is no single Virginia expiration period for national phlebotomy certifications. The expiration date and renewal cycle depend on 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 renewal requirements are separate from Virginia requirements. You must follow NHA's current renewal cycle, continuing education requirements, fees, and reinstatement policies.

Does Virginia require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

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

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

Virginia does not establish a universal state diploma or GED requirement specifically for phlebotomists. However, individual training programs and national certification organizations may establish education prerequisites. Candidates should verify the requirements of their selected training program and certification organization before enrolling.

Does Virginia require phlebotomy training?

There is no universal Virginia state training-hour requirement for phlebotomists. However, formal training may be required by an employer or national certification organization. A quality training program should include classroom instruction and supervised hands-on practice in venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, infection control, patient identification, and safety.

Does Virginia require a certain number of venipunctures?

Virginia does not establish a universal state minimum number of venipunctures for phlebotomists. The number of required venipunctures and capillary collections depends on the training program and national certification pathway you choose.

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

From a state licensing standpoint, yes. Virginia does not require every individual phlebotomist to obtain a state license or universal national certification. However, an employer may require national certification as a condition of employment. Therefore, being legally permitted to work without a state license does not mean that an uncertified applicant will qualify for every phlebotomy position.

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

Because Virginia does not issue an individual state phlebotomy license, there is generally no Virginia phlebotomy license that must be transferred or endorsed from another state. A current national certification can be presented to Virginia employers, subject to the employer's credentialing requirements.

Is Virginia phlebotomy certification the same as national certification?

No. Virginia does not issue a separate state phlebotomy certification. Credentials such as NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, AMT RPT, and NCCT NCPT are national certifications issued by independent credentialing organizations.

Does the Virginia Department of Health Professions regulate phlebotomists?

No. Phlebotomist is not currently listed as a regulated profession by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. DHP maintains a list of regulated professions and provides licensing services for the healthcare professions it regulates; phlebotomy is not included on that list. Virginia law does reference phlebotomists in specific circumstances involving the withdrawal of blood, including blood collection for certain alcohol or drug testing purposes. This should not be interpreted as creating a general state phlebotomy license.

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