Phlebotomy Recertification in West Virginia

West Virginia does not require a state license for phlebotomists who only collect, prepare, or process specimens and do not perform laboratory testing. Under West Virginia's Clinical Laboratory Practitioner Licensure rule, effective July 1, 2026, collection-only personnel are excluded from the state's clinical laboratory practitioner licensing requirements. However, phlebotomists who perform moderate- or high-complexity laboratory testing may be required to obtain a West Virginia Clinical Laboratory Practitioner (CLP) license appropriate to the complexity of testing they perform.

National phlebotomy certification is therefore not a universal state requirement for collection-only phlebotomy in West Virginia. However, individual employers may require or prefer national certification, formal phlebotomy training, CPR/BLS certification, or other qualifications as a condition of employment. This page walks through what it takes to become a certified phlebotomist in West Virginia, when state laboratory licensure applies, how national certification fits into the process, and what renewal requirements may apply.

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

Not if you only collect blood specimens. West Virginia's current Clinical Laboratory Practitioner Licensure rule does not apply to a person who only collects, prepares, or processes specimens and does not perform tests. This means a phlebotomist whose duties are limited to blood collection generally does not need a West Virginia CLP license simply to perform venipuncture or other specimen-collection duties.

The distinction is important because West Virginia does regulate personnel who perform moderate- or high-complexity laboratory testing in CLIA-certified laboratories. Those individuals must hold an appropriate West Virginia laboratory practitioner license. West Virginia's Office of Laboratory Services has also historically clarified that a phlebotomist who only draws blood does not need a CLP license, while a phlebotomist who performs moderate-complexity testing may need one. The state's current rule, effective July 1, 2026, continues this collection-versus-testing distinction. Therefore, West Virginia is best described as a no-state-license-required state for collection-only phlebotomy, rather than a state that requires every phlebotomist to obtain a clinical laboratory license.

How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist in West Virginia

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. West Virginia does not establish a universal state education requirement specifically for collection-only 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. Although West Virginia does not require a state phlebotomy license for collection-only personnel, formal training is strongly recommended and may be required by your employer or national certifying organization. Training should cover anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, infection prevention and control, patient identification, venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen handling, order of draw, safety, and complications of blood collection.

3. Complete hands-on clinical practice. Choose a program that provides supervised opportunities to perform venipunctures and capillary collections. If you plan to pursue national certification, verify the certification organization's clinical requirements before enrolling.

4. Choose and pass a national certification examination. National certification is not universally required by West Virginia law for a person whose duties are limited to specimen collection. However, certification may improve employment opportunities and may be required by individual employers. Common national credentials include certifications offered by organizations such as the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and other recognized credentialing organizations.

5. Meet employer-specific requirements. Employers may require national certification, previous healthcare experience, CPR/BLS certification, immunizations, background checks, drug screening, or additional competency testing.

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

7. Maintain your national certification if you hold one. West Virginia does not have a state renewal requirement for collection-only phlebotomy. If you hold a national certification, however, you must follow the renewal and continuing education requirements established by the organization that issued your credential.

8. Obtain a CLP license if your duties include regulated laboratory testing. If your job expands beyond specimen collection and you will perform moderate- or high-complexity laboratory testing, you may need a West Virginia Clinical Laboratory Practitioner license. The appropriate license category depends on the type and complexity of testing performed.

Phlebotomy Recertification in West Virginia

West Virginia does not have a state phlebotomy certification or renewal requirement for individuals who only collect, prepare, or process specimens and do not perform laboratory testing. The state's current rule specifically excludes collection-only personnel from the CLP licensing requirements. If you hold a national phlebotomy certification, however, you must follow the renewal requirements of your certifying organization. Renewal fees, continuing education requirements, expiration periods, and reinstatement procedures vary by organization.

There is a separate renewal process for individuals who do hold a West Virginia Clinical Laboratory Practitioner license because they perform regulated laboratory testing. The West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services currently requires 10 hours of continuing education for CLP license renewal. CE must be related to the licensee's current job duties and testing performed.

The current West Virginia CLP fees include:

• Annual license fee: $25

• Late fee: $10 when the renewal application is submitted 0–14 days before expiration

• Reinstatement fee: $20 for an expired license

• Same-day processing: $35

• Official license verification: $10

CLP renewal applications are due 15 days before expiration, and renewal applications cannot be completed until 60 days or less before the license expiration date. These CLP requirements should not be presented as phlebotomy renewal requirements for collection-only phlebotomists. They apply to individuals who are required to hold a West Virginia laboratory practitioner license because of the testing they perform.

To stay current, West Virginia phlebotomists should:

• Know whether their position involves specimen collection only or laboratory testing

• Determine whether their employer requires national certification

• Track the expiration date of any national certification they hold

• Complete required CE for their national certification, if applicable

• Renew national certification before it expires

• If they hold a WV CLP license, complete the required 10 hours of CE and renew the state license on time

• Keep documentation of training, certification, CE, and other professional credentials

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 West 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 West Virginia?

Not if your job is limited to collecting, preparing, or processing specimens and you do not perform laboratory testing. West Virginia's current Clinical Laboratory Practitioner rule specifically excludes collection-only personnel from CLP licensure. If your job includes moderate- or high-complexity laboratory testing, however, you may be required to obtain an appropriate West Virginia CLP license.

Do I need national phlebotomy certification to work in West Virginia?

West Virginia does not universally require national phlebotomy certification for collection-only phlebotomists. However, an employer may require national certification as part of its hiring and competency requirements. Candidates should check the requirements of the specific hospital, laboratory, clinic, or other healthcare employer.

What is a Clinical Laboratory Practitioner license in West Virginia?

A West Virginia Clinical Laboratory Practitioner (CLP) license is a state laboratory personnel credential for individuals who perform regulated laboratory testing. The current rule requires personnel performing moderate- or high-complexity testing in a CLIA-certified laboratory to hold an appropriate laboratory practitioner license. A person who only collects, prepares, or processes specimens and does not perform testing is excluded from this requirement.

Does drawing blood require a West Virginia CLP license?

No, not by itself. A phlebotomist who only performs specimen collection does not need a CLP license solely because they draw blood. The state distinguishes specimen collection from performing laboratory testing.

Can a phlebotomist perform laboratory testing without a CLP license?

It depends on the testing. West Virginia requires appropriate laboratory practitioner licensure for personnel performing moderate- or high-complexity testing covered by the state's rule. Collection-only duties are excluded. The type and complexity of testing should therefore be reviewed before assuming that a phlebotomist is exempt from state licensure.

Does West Virginia require phlebotomy training?

There is no universal state phlebotomy-training requirement for a person performing collection-only duties. However, formal training may be required by an employer or national certification organization. West Virginia's Office of Laboratory Services maintains information about phlebotomy training programs and specifically directs individuals seeking phlebotomy training to educational programs rather than providing the training itself.

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

There is no state-mandated training length for collection-only phlebotomy. The timeframe depends on the program and national certification pathway selected. Short-term phlebotomy programs may be completed in several weeks, while other programs may take longer depending on classroom, laboratory, and clinical requirements.

How much does phlebotomy certification cost in West Virginia?

There is no state phlebotomy licensing fee for a collection-only phlebotomist, because West Virginia does not require a CLP license solely for specimen collection. Your costs may include:

• Phlebotomy training tuition

• Books and supplies

• Clinical fees

• National certification examination fees

• CPR/BLS certification

• Background screening

• Immunizations or health screening

Costs vary by training provider and national certifying organization. If you are required to hold a West Virginia CLP license because you perform regulated laboratory testing, the current annual state license fee is $25.

Do I need to renew my phlebotomy certification in West Virginia?

Only if you hold a national certification that requires renewal. West Virginia does not have a state phlebotomy certification that collection-only phlebotomists must renew. National certifications have their own renewal cycles and CE requirements. If you hold a West Virginia CLP license because you perform regulated laboratory testing, that state license must be renewed annually.

Does West Virginia require continuing education for phlebotomists?

Not for collection-only phlebotomy as a state requirement. However, your national certifying organization may require CE to maintain your certification. For individuals who hold a West Virginia CLP license, 10 hours of continuing education are required for renewal. The CE must relate to the licensee's current job duties and the testing performed.

Can I complete my phlebotomy CE online in West Virginia?

There is no West Virginia state CE requirement for a collection-only phlebotomist. If you hold a national certification, online CE may be acceptable depending on the certifying organization's requirements. For West Virginia CLP licensees, CE must meet the state's requirements and be related to current job duties and testing performed. The Office of Laboratory Services provides both free and paid CE options and also offers correspondence courses.

When should I renew my West Virginia CLP license?

If you hold a West Virginia CLP license, renewal applications are due 15 days before the license expires. The online renewal application becomes available during the 60 days before expiration. Renewal applications submitted 14 or fewer days before expiration are subject to a $10 late fee.

What happens if my West Virginia CLP license expires?

Once a CLP license expires, a $20 reinstatement fee applies. Individuals should not perform laboratory testing that requires state licensure while their license is expired. This applies to CLP-licensed laboratory personnel, not to collection-only phlebotomists who are outside the CLP licensing requirement.

How long is a West Virginia CLP license valid?

West Virginia CLP licenses are subject to an annual renewal cycle. The current Office of Laboratory Services fee schedule identifies the CLP license as an annual license.

Does West Virginia require a certain number of venipunctures?

West Virginia does not establish a universal state minimum number of successful venipunctures for collection-only phlebotomists. However, training programs and national certification organizations may establish their own clinical requirements. Candidates should verify those requirements before choosing a training program.

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

West Virginia does not establish a universal state high school diploma or GED requirement specifically for collection-only phlebotomists. However, individual training programs and national certification organizations may require a high school diploma or equivalent.

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

From the state's phlebotomy licensing standpoint, yes, if your duties are limited to specimen collection. West Virginia does not require a CLP license for a person who only collects, prepares, or processes specimens and does not perform laboratory testing. However, an employer may require national certification, formal training, or other qualifications before hiring you.

Can I perform waived laboratory tests as a phlebotomist in West Virginia?

West Virginia's CLP rule focuses on moderate- and high-complexity testing. The state's Office of Laboratory Services has stated that personnel performing only waived tests do not require a CLP license under the laboratory practitioner rule. However, testing personnel must still meet applicable federal CLIA requirements and employer training and competency requirements.

Does West Virginia require CPR or BLS certification for phlebotomists?

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

What is the difference between phlebotomy certification and a West Virginia CLP license?

A national phlebotomy certification is issued by a credentialing organization such as NHA, AMT, NCCT, or another certification agency. A West Virginia CLP license is a state-issued laboratory personnel license for individuals whose duties include laboratory testing covered by the state's licensure requirements. A collection-only phlebotomist may hold a national certification without needing a West Virginia CLP license.

Does West Virginia license phlebotomists who only draw blood?

No. The current rule effective July 1, 2026 expressly excludes people who only collect, prepare, or process specimens and do not perform laboratory testing. This is one of the most important distinctions to make when describing West Virginia's phlebotomy requirements.

Can PhlebCE help with my West Virginia phlebotomy renewal?

PhlebCE can provide continuing education for phlebotomy professionals. However, whether those courses can be applied toward renewal depends on the credential being renewed. For a national phlebotomy certification, verify that the certifying organization accepts the course and provider. For a West Virginia CLP license, the state requires 10 hours of CE related to the licensee's current job duties and testing performed. CE documentation must be available for the renewal process.

View Requirements