Phlebotomists are needed to help draw blood that can give doctors information about a patient's electrolytes, hormones, and even diagnose serious conditions like cancer. Phlebotomists are an essential part of the healthcare team.
Completing a phlebotomy training program ensures that you will have the skills you need to safely draw blood, and can make it easier to find a job. If you live in California, Colorado, Louisiana, or Nevada, you’ll have to earn your certification before you can start working.
There are many different online and community college phlebotomy courses that you can choose from. The cost of phlebotomy programs varies based on type, location, length, and certification.
This guide goes over the cheapest phlebotomy programs currently available, including both online and in-person options.
Cheapest Phlebotomy Programs
To become a phlebotomist, you can complete an online training program or attend a class at a community college. There is no such thing as a phlebotomy degree—all programs are certificate programs.
Phlebotomy training programs take anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months to complete. Usually, online programs are less expensive than community college courses.
Buckeye Career Center
Buckeye Career Center is a program that offers career training for adults who have not yet gotten their GED or diploma. They are designed to help people who have had trouble getting an education and can help adults get started on a good career.
- Cost: Free tuition, $50 application fee
- Location: New Philadelphia, Ohio
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: Up to 12 months (self-paced)
- Resulting certificate: NHA-CPT
- Learn more: Buckeye Career Center
- Notes: Students who attend Buckeye Career Center can also earn their GED through the program.
MedCerts
MedCerts is an online program that you can complete at your own pace. They will send you a practice kit to perform venipunctures that must be recorded and submitted to the instructor. The instructor will give you feedback on your technique as you go.
- Cost: $585
- Location: Dearborn, MI
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: 6 months
- Resulting certificate: AMT, NHA, AMCA, NCCT, or ASCP
- Learn more: MedCerts
- Notes: Students in this program must complete an externship, and are responsible for finding a facility and phlebotomist to shadow.
Carolina’s College of Health Sciences
Carolina’s College of Health Sciences is one of the least expensive community college programs for phlebotomy training. They also offer nursing degrees and many other healthcare certifications.
- Cost: $700
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Type of program: Community College
- Time to complete: 10 weeks summer semester, 14 weeks fall and spring semesters
- Resulting certificate: Not Specified
- Learn more: Carolina’s College of Health Sciences
- Notes: Carolina’s College of Health Sciences requires at least a 2.0 high school or college GPA to enroll in their program.
U.S. Career Institute
U.S. Career Institute offers an online phlebotomy program that is self-paced, meaning you can complete your coursework as slowly or as quickly as you would like. If you cannot afford to pay for your training upfront, they offer payment plans.
- Cost: $979
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: 3 to 5 months (self-paced)
- Resulting certificate: NHA – CPT
- Learn more: U.S. Career Institute
- Notes: The cost of your NHA-CPT exam is included in your tuition for this program.
AIMS Education
AIMS Education offers a hybrid program with online coursework and in-person lecture and skill practice. They have a part-time weekend-only program that can be completed in 3 months or an evening program that can be completed in one month.
- Cost: $1,300
- Location: Piscataway, NJ
- Type of program: Community College
- Time to complete: 1 month or 3 months
- Resulting certificate: NHA – CPT or NCPT – NCCT
- Learn more: AIMS Education
- Notes: AIMS education requires students to have a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam before they can enroll.
Career Step
Career Step is an online phlebotomy training program with 24/7 access to learning materials and instructor support. Their course covers basic health science including medical terminology, psychology, and nutrition courses in addition to the specific phlebotomy training courses.
- Cost: $1,899
- Location: Lehi, UT
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: 1-12 months (self-paced)
- Resulting certificate: NHA – CPT
- Learn more: Career Step
- Notes: Career Step will help you set up an externship opportunity to help you get real-world experience.
Saint Peter’s University
Saint Peter’s University is an online program for people hoping to progress in their healthcare careers. They require their students to have a high school diploma or GED, pass an entrance exam, or have 1 year of experience in the medical field to enroll.
- Cost: $1,995
- Location: New Jersey City, New Jersey
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: 4 weeks - 12 months (Self-paced)
- Resulting certificate: CPTS – AECA or NHA – CPT
- Learn more: Saint Peter’s University
- Notes: Saint Peter’s University has open enrollment, meaning you can sign up and start the program at any time.
Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield Technical Community College offers in-person phlebotomy courses at its location in Springfield, MA. They offer many types of certificate and associate degree programs and are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
- Cost: $2,000
- Location: Springfield, MA
- Type of program: Community College
- Time to complete: 3 months
- Resulting certificate: NHA-CPT
- Learn more: Springfield Technical Community College
- Notes: Students must complete a health form and TB testing, and submit vaccination records before they can enroll in the program.
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College offers an open-enrollment phlebotomy training program that you can enroll in at any time. After you enroll, you will receive a practice phlebotomy kit and a training book within 7 to 10 days.
- Cost: $2,295
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Type of program: Online
- Time to complete: 3 – 12 months (Self-paced)
- Resulting certificate: NHA-CPT
- Learn more: Salt Lake Community College
- Notes: Salt Lake Community College will help you find a place to get real-life experience before you take your certification exam.
How to Choose a Phlebotomy Program
There are many things to consider when you are trying to choose a phlebotomy program, including:
Cost
One of the most important things to consider is the cost of the program. Most employers are not picky about where you received your training, as long as you pass your certification exam. This means that more expensive training from a prestigious school is not necessary.
Time to Complete
Most people want to get their training completed as quickly as possible so they can start working and earning an income. While self-paced programs can sometimes be completed more quickly than instructor-led courses, be honest with yourself about whether or not you will procrastinate.
Certification Pass Rate
Make sure you choose a program that has a high certification pass rate. Attending an inexpensive four-week program won’t be helpful if it doesn’t help you prepare for and pass your exam.
Resulting Certificate
The CPT certification from the NHA is the most commonly recognized certification for phlebotomists. If you already have a job lined up, make sure you find out whether or not they have specific certification requirements, and then enroll in a program that will prepare you for that certification.
If It’s Accredited
It is always important to choose an accredited program. Accredited programs have met certain educational requirements and are more likely to prepare you well for your future career as a phlebotomist.
Online vs In-Person
Some people appreciate the flexibility of an online program, while others learn better while attending in-person courses. Online programs require you to be self-motivated, but can often be completed more quickly than in-person programs.
Location (if In-Person)
If you choose an in-person program, make sure you take into account your commute to and from the classroom. A long commute might be okay for a once-a-week class while driving an hour each way might be difficult if you are expected to be there each day.
If an Externship is Included
Beware of programs that do not help you set up an externship. Healthcare facilities that take on students can be hard to find if programs do not already have a relationship with them. You might have difficulties finding a healthcare facility to help you practice without help from a school or training program.
If There’s a Job Placement Guarantee
Some programs offer a job placement guarantee, meaning if you don’t find work within a few months of completing the program, you’ll get your money back. Programs that offer this benefit often have career coaches to help you create your resume and practice interview questions while you look for a job.
Phlebotomy Program FAQs
Are cheap phlebotomy programs a good idea? Cheap phlebotomy programs can still be as great as any more expensive program. As long as they are accredited and have a high certification pass rate, you can feel confident that a cheap phlebotomy program will meet your training and education needs.
What is the average cost of a phlebotomy certificate program? Phlebotomy certificate programs generally cost between $500 and $2,000. Online programs are usually cheaper than in-person programs.
What is the average cost of a phlebotomy degree program? There are no phlebotomy degree programs.
What is the shortest phlebotomy program? The shortest phlebotomy programs can be completed in as little as 4 weeks.
Are phlebotomy programs hard? Phlebotomy programs are not particularly hard. You will have to study for your exam, but most people are able to complete their programs and earn their certifications.
What is the shortest possible time to become a phlebotomist? If you work in a state that does not require certification, you can find a job and start working right after high school. For states that require certification, you can become a phlebotomist in as little as 5 weeks.
Are online or in-person phlebotomy programs better? Neither type of program is better than the other. Whether you should choose an online or in-person program depends on your personal preference and learning style.
How much do phlebotomists make? Phlebotomists earn $37,380 per year when working full time, or $18 per hour.
