Phlebotomy (CPT) Study Guide

220 High-Yield Concepts for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam

A focused, high-yield concept review for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam — 220 concepts in 10 parts mirroring the official 2025 NHA test plan, each with key facts, a strategy tip, and an original example: Part 1 — Exam Format & Scoring: the two-hour exam (100 scored + 20 pretest items), scaled scoring 200–500 with a passing standard of 390, delivery at PSI testing centers / at your school / via live remote proctoring, and eligibility paths. Part 2 — Role of the Phlebotomist & Terminology. Parts 3–4 — Safety & Compliance (OSHA, bloodborne pathogens, exposure control, quality, ethics, documentation) and Patient Preparation (identification, consent, orders, interviewing, positioning, site selection). Part 5 — Routine Blood Collections (equipment & device selection, collection steps, order of draw, complications & response, capillary/dermal puncture). Part 6 — Tube Families & Additive Science. Part 7 — Special Collections (blood cultures, central lines, newborn screening, POCT, tolerance tests, forensic/chain-of-custody collections). Part 8 — Processing (centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, information systems, critical values, reporting). Parts 9–10 — Abbreviations & Conversions, Mnemonics & Test-Taking Hooks, and Test-Day Prep & Beyond. Includes verified format facts sourced from nhanow.com on 2026-09-19: the official 2025 CPT Test Plan domains (Routine Blood Collections 28%, Safety & Compliance 26%, Patient Preparation 20%, Processing 14%, Special Collections 12%), scaled scores 200–500 with a passing standard of 390 (per the NHA Candidate Handbook), NCCA accreditation, and eligibility paths (diploma/GED plus a recent training program with 30 venipunctures + 10 capillary sticks on live individuals, or one year of supervised experience). The exam fee is per attempt — see nhanow.com for current pricing. Independent companion — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NHA or the National Healthcareer Association; confirm current exam details, fees, and eligibility at nhanow.com before applying.