Medical Assistant-Phlebotomy (MA-P) Certification

Medical Assistant-Phlebotomy (MA-P) certification is for medical assistants (MAs) who want to work as certified phlebotomists drawing blood for diagnostic purposes in a clinical laboratory. For example, in California, MAs can draw blood at certain locations under the conditions specified by their scope of practice but this doesn’t include drawing blood for diagnostic purposes in a clinical lab. While Washington has an actual MA-P Certification, other states, like California, may require MAs to obtain phlebotomy certification. This certification guide will cover how to obtain MA-P certification in California and Washington to provide an overview of what’s typically required, but applicants in other states should check with their local health department or other governing body to determine the exact regulations in their state.

Completion Time: Varies based on individual exam taken

Cost: Phlebotomy Certification (California) $100 (Plus 2.99% service fee for credit card transactions) / Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist (Washington) $145 (Plus $2.50 convenience fee for credit card transactions)

Exam formats vary based on the type of exam being taken to meet individual state requirements. There are numerous options, including:

• American Certification Agency

• American Medical Certification Association

• American Medical Technologists

• American Society of Clinical Pathology

• National Center for Competency Testing

• National Healthcareer Association

Washington

Anyone practicing in Washington as a medical assistant-phlebotomist must have a Department of Health-issued medical assistant credential. Applicants must complete an online application through the Washington State Department of Health's (WSDH) SecureAcess Washington security portal. They must also submit credential verification and phlebotomist training attestation. To apply online, applicants must create a link to the WSDH Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS), and they only have 14 days from the day they begin their application to complete it and pay their fee.

To earn MA-P certification, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Complete a phlebotomy program through a postsecondary school or college accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

• Hold a national phlebotomy certification from one of the following:

  • American Certification Agency

  • American Medical Certification Association

  • American Medical Technologists

  • American Society of Clinical Pathology

  • National Center for Competency Testing

  • National Healthcareer Association

• Complete a phlebotomy training program approved by a healthcare practitioner responsible for determining the content of the training and ascertaining the proficiency of the trainee

Applicants must also:

• Complete a background check through the Washington State Patrol and the FBI if required

• Send Credential Verification forms to each state in which they hold or have held credentials for the state to complete and submit directly to the Department of Health

More information can be found on the MA-P paper application and medical assistant webpage.

California

Trained MAs must apply for phlebotomist certification. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) offers three types of phlebotomy certifications, including:

• Limited Phlebotomy Technician (LPT) certification authorizes healthcare professionals to do skin puncture blood collection only.

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPTI) certification authorizes healthcare professionals to do venipuncture and skin punctures.

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician II (CPTII) certification authorizes healthcare professionals to do venipuncture, arterial puncture and skin punctures.

MAs in California should choose the phlebotomy certification that meets the requirements of the job for which they’re applying.

To apply, they select the phlebotomy certification type from the menu on the application website and upload all required documentation during the application process. These include:

• Certificate of completion of a phlebotomy training program

• California Statement of Phlebotomy Practical Training

• Letter of Phlebotomy Experience for California Certification

• Copy of national certification

Original transcripts must be mailed to Laboratory Field Services - Phlebotomy Program directly from the school, college or university registrar.

For additional information, contact [email protected].

LPT Certificate Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Training in a phlebotomy program accredited by the CDPH

• 20 hours of basic didactic phlebotomy training from a phlebotomy program accredited by the CDPH

• At least 25 skin punctures or examinations in a clinical setting on patients

CPT I Certificate Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Training in a phlebotomy program approved by the CDPH

  • Applicants without any or less than 40 hours of on-the-job phlebotomy experience must complete 40 hours of basic and advanced didactic training and 40 hours of phlebotomy practice in a clinical setting with 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures performed and and arterial punctures observed

  • Applicants with at least 40 hours of on-the-job phlebotomy experience but less than 1,040 must complete 40 hours of basic and advanced didactic training and completed at least 40 hours of experience in a clinical setting in the last 5 years, including 50 venipunctures, 10 skin punctures and observation of arterial punctures

  • Applicants with 1,040+ hours of on-the-job phlebotomy experience in the past 5 years must complete 20 hours of advanced didactic training

• Pass a national certification exam:

  • American Certification Agency

  • American Medical Certification Association

  • American Medical Technologists

  • American Society of Clinical Pathology

  • National Center for Competency Testing

  • National Healthcareer Association

CPT II Certificate Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Training in a phlebotomy program approved by the CDPH

• Hold current, valid CPT I certification or meet CPT I certification requirements

• At least 1040 hours of on-the-job phlebotomy experience in the past 5 years, certified by director of lab where employed

• Minimum of 20 arterial punctures

• Pass a national certification exam from one of the following:

  • American Certification Agency

  • American Medical Technologists

  • American Society of Clinical Pathology

  • National Center for Competency Testing

  • National Healthcareer Association

Washington

MA-Ps must renew every 2 years after their initial renewal, which expires on their birthday. Applicants may renew within 90 days of the expiration date. There aren’t any continuing education requirements.

California

LPTs and CPTs (I &II)  must renew every 2 years and submit an electronic application (paper applications not accepted) and documentation of continuing education online.

Renewal Fees:

• California: $100 (plus a 2.99% Service Fee)

  • Late Renewal Penalty: $0

• Washington: $145

  • Late Renewal Penalty: $75

  • Expired Credential Reissue: $55

Washington doesn’t have any continuing education requirements for MA-Ps.

In California, LPTs and CPTs (I & II) must complete 6 hours of continuing education provided by a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution.

• NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

• NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

• ASCP Phlebotomy Technician (PBT)

• AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)

• NPA Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT)

• NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)

• ASPT Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (PTC)