Texas is the #1 state in the nation for phlebotomy employment, according to the Bureau of Labor.
Learn how start a career in healthcare as a phlebotomist and play a crucial role in patient care.
Education & Training
Taking an online certification course, such as the ones below, should be your first step.
How Will You Benefit from the Course?
The course prepares you to take either the CPTS exam through AECA or the CPT exam through the NHA.
More information on these certifications below.
How Long & How Much?
You will have 12 months to complete the course, but you can certainly go faster depending on how much time you dedicated to studying each week. It is self paced since its an online course and you can enroll at anytime.
The cost is $2300, and this price also covers the exam fee.
What Do You Study?
Required coursework and lessons often include:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Medical terminology
- CPR and basic first aid
- Human pathology
- Phlebotomy with advanced classes
- Clinical practices
- Work ethics
- Patient care
- Handling lab and medical equipment
- Disposing of medical waste
Excellent communication skills are required of any phlebotomy technician, so be prepared to take additional courses in speech, patient relationships, and work ethics if they are specific weaknesses for you.
Educational Requirements
To become a phlebotomist in Texas, there are a few educational and training requirements. A high school diploma or GED is the highest degree of education required to begin a phlebotomy program in most states.
By attending this type of program at an accredited institution, students receive their necessary training and on-the-job practice.
Other Local Trade School Programs
- Alvin, Manvel
- Dallas, Grand Prairie, San Antonio
- El Paso
- Farmers Branch, Lancaster, Mesquite, Dallas, Irving, Coppell, Garland
- Houston, Katy, Missouri City, Stafford
- Arlington
- San Antonio
- Cypress, Houston, Kingwood, Conroe, Tomball, Katy, Magnolia, Spring
- Gainesville, Corinth, Denton, Flower Mound, Bowie, Graham, Fort Worth
- El Paso
- El Paso, Houston, San Antonio
- Dallas
- Temple, Taylor, Hutto
- Fort Worth, China Grove
- Arlington
- Weatherford, Bridgeport
Alvin College
Phlebotomy Technician (CEPLAB 1023) is an 80-hour, hybrid continuing-education course at Alvin College that prepares students for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam. The price listed in October 2026 is $1,340 in-district and $1,375 out-of-district, and students also buy a $95.99 background-check, drug-screen and immunization package. The course is offered at Alvin College West in Manvel and at the main campus, and it also forms part of the 208-hour Patient Care Technician bundle.
Concorde Career College
Concorde's Phlebotomy diploma is its shortest program: about 8 weeks and 128 contact hours. Graduates can sit the AMCA or NHA phlebotomy certification exam, and Concorde pays for the first AMCA attempt. It is taught at eight Concorde Career College campuses in six states, but at none of the four California campuses.
Cultural Technical Institute, LLC.
CTI offers phlebotomy as a 5-week accelerated or 7-week standard course on its website, while TWC's eligible training provider list (updated July 2026) records 100 hours over 10 weeks, so confirm which schedule you are buying. Training uses labs and prepares for NHA's CPT, AMT's RPT or NCCT's NCPT exam; CTI does not state externship or live-draw hours. TWC lists the cost as $5,000 including books, supplies and a $250 exam; CTI's registration page shows $283.50 plus $1,720 for the 7-week track.
Dallas College
Phlebotomy is a continuing-education program at El Centro that prepares students for the ASCP phlebotomy technician exam. It comes in two lengths: two months for $1,800 or four months for $3,240 (October 2026). Because it is non-credit, the per-credit tuition rates do not apply and it does not count toward a degree. Students who want to go further in lab work can apply to El Centro's two-year Medical Laboratory Technology AAS.
Houston City College
HCC's Phlebotomy Technician course is a 216-hour continuing-education occupational skills award with a listed tuition of $1,510 (October 2026), excluding books and exam fees, and it includes a clinical placement. It is taught at South, Coleman College at Midtown, Acres Homes, Eastside and Brays Oaks. Graduates can sit a national phlebotomy certification exam from AMT, NCCT, ASCP or NHA. TPEG grants and workforce scholarships are named on HCC's continuing-education program pages.
IDTC Career Center
The Phlebotomy Technician certificate trains students in venipuncture, syringe transfers, blood collection, antiseptic cleaning, vital signs and basic anatomy and physiology, then sends them for off-site clinical experience. It prepares for the National Registered Phlebotomy Technician (NRPT) exam, and the exam fee, books, scrubs and CPR-BLS certification are included in tuition. IDTC posts no prices and no fixed start dates; the last class start shown on its site was 17 August 2026, so call for the next one.
Lamson Institute
Phlebotomy at Lamson is part of the 720-clock-hour Lab Assistant, EKG Technician/Phlebotomist diploma, taken on campus in as few as 9 months. Its 160-hour externship requires at least 50 successful venipunctures and 10 skin punctures, and the school pays the first attempt at the NCCT PH1 phlebotomy exam. In the school's 2025 ACCET report for 2024, 88% of scheduled students completed and 81% of eligible completers were placed. Federal data list 2024-25 tuition and fees of $15,500 at the San Antonio, TX campus; confirm current prices with the school.
Lone Star College
Phlebotomy is a non-credit continuing-education course at LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball; the East Aldine Center and the Health Professions Building also list it. Students prepare for a national phlebotomy certification exam from ASCP or NCCT. Lone Star advertises some continuing-education health courses as possibly free for eligible students through workforce funding, so ask about grants before paying. The course price was not in the sources we checked.
North Central Texas College
NCTC's Phlebotomy Technician course is a non-credit occupational skills award that prepares students for the NHA's Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam. The Summer 2026 section met at the Champions Circle training center in Fort Worth and cost $1,098, plus $98 in student fees for a background check, drug screen and insurance. Federal financial aid does not cover it, but the college offers a payment plan. Sections and locations change by term, so check the current schedule.
NOVA Career Institute (Rating: 5.0 of 5)
NOVA Career Institute’s Phlebotomy Technician diploma program is a fast-track, 3‑week course that provides hands-on training in blood collection, specimen handling, and patient care. The curriculum emphasizes safety protocols and accurate lab practices, preparing students to perform venipunctures and related procedures confidently. Graduates are equipped for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories where precise blood collection is essential.
Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy Technician certificate takes about three months: 70 classroom hours, 70 lab hours and a 160-hour externship. Courses cover study skills, CPR, anatomy and medical terminology, an introduction to the lab and communication, and phlebotomy practice. Graduates can take the NHA CPT, AMT RPT or NCCT phlebotomy exams. Total cost was $5,623 at Tucson, AZ (1 Jul 2026), and PMI offers phlebotomy graduates a scholarship of up to $4,650 toward another certificate.
South College
At South College, phlebotomy is taught as a concentration in the Medical Assisting certificate and the Associate of Science in Medical Assisting, so students train as medical assistants who can also draw blood. The concentration prepares students for a national phlebotomy technician certification exam, and the medical assisting program ends in a 180-hour practicum in a medical facility. Full-time tuition for the certificate was $5,775 a quarter in 2025-26, plus the $695 technology fee.
Temple College
Phlebotomy Technician at Temple College is a 209-hour, 14-week non-credit course that meets on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45 to 9:15, in person with online work in D2L. It prepares students for a national phlebotomy exam from NHA, ASCP BOC or AMT. The fall 2026 cohort runs from 24 August to 23 November and costs $2,300, including the textbook, exam and drug test; no later cohort was posted when we checked in October 2026.
Texas School of Phlebotomy (Rating: 4.9 of 5)
The Certified Phlebotomy Training Program at Texas School of Phlebotomy is a hands-on, 6-week course that trains students in essential blood draw techniques under expert supervision, culminating in a Certificate of Completion. Integrated into the program is American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) training, equipping students with CPR, AED, and emergency response skills aligned with the latest ECC guidelines. Upon successful completion, students earn both their phlebotomy certification and a two-year AHA BLS provider card, preparing them for diverse roles in the healthcare field.
UT Arlington Continuing Education
The Phlebotomy Technician course at UTA's Health Careers Institute is 80 classroom hours over about 11 weeks, on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 10 PM, with three starts in 2027. It prepares students for the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, and the exam is included in the $3,000 fee in Arlington, TX (sessions November 2026 to October 2027), along with textbooks, scrubs and CPR. UTA no longer assigns externship sites, students must find their own, and externships end from Spring 2027.
Weatherford College
Phlebotomy is a one-semester credit certificate at Weatherford College, approved by NAACLS, that prepares students for the ASCP phlebotomy technician (PBT) exam. The college's student achievement report shows a 100% certification pass rate for 2021 to 2023. Before clinical work students need immunizations, a background check and an American Heart Association BLS card. PLAB courses carry a $20 per credit hour differential on top of tuition (2026-27).
Phlebotomist Salaries in Texas
Here is a look at some average salary numbers from various sources.
- $35,360 – Talent.com
- $36.070 – Careerexplorer.com
- $38,846 – ZipRecruiter
- $41,170 – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- $44,419 – Indeed.com
Regional wage data from the Bureau of Labor is as follows:
| Area | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $16.47 | $34,250.00 |
| Amarillo | $17.85 | $37,140.00 |
| Austin-Round Rock | $21.29 | $44,290.00 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $19.03 | $39,580.00 |
| Big Thicket | $18.74 | $38,980.00 |
| Border Region | $16.87 | $35,090.00 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $17.13 | $35,630.00 |
| Coastal Plains | $17.20 | $35,780.00 |
| College Station-Bryan | $18.67 | $38,840.00 |
| Corpus Christi | $18.49 | $38,450.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $21.22 | $44,140.00 |
| El Paso | $17.13 | $35,630.00 |
| Hill Country | $16.72 | $34,780.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $20.38 | $42,390.00 |
| Killeen-Temple | $18.25 | $37,950.00 |
| Laredo | $16.67 | $34,680.00 |
| Longview | $18.59 | $38,670.00 |
| Lubbock | $17.98 | $37,400.00 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $17.17 | $35,710.00 |
| North Texas | $16.81 | $34,960.00 |
| Odessa | $19.41 | $40,370.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $19.19 | $39,900.00 |
| Sherman-Denison | $16.56 | $34,440.00 |
| Texarkana | $16.62 | $34,560.00 |
| Tyler | $17.83 | $37,090.00 |
| Waco | $18.77 | $39,030.00 |
| West Texas | $16.43 | $34,180.00 |
| Wichita Falls | $18.08 | $37,610.00 |
source: data.bls.gov
Occupation: Phlebotomists (SOC Code319097)
Certifications
All students are expected to pass certification exams before they can graduate. A number of organizations hold acceptable certification exams.
AECA
The American Education Certification Association provides the Certified Phlebotomy Technician Specialist exam.
NHA
The National Healthcare Association administers the Certified Phlebotomy Technician exam.
However, you can obtain a phlebotomy license in Texas through multiple national organizations. These businesses administer the exam either at your college or at a separate location.
The following list includes which organizations proctor exams, along with their costs and qualifications:
- American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians offers phlebotomy technician exams for $65 with an annual membership fee of $35. To qualify, you must have six months to a year of experience working as a phlebotomist, a letter or signature from a supervisor, and successful completion of a training program.
- American Society of Clinical Pathologists allows students with varying levels of experience in the field to take the phlebotomy technician exam for $135. The one-year membership fee is $100. Qualification requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent plus completion of an approved phlebotomy program within the last five years. You may also need evidence of training and classroom time.
- American Medical Technologists has certifications available for any person working in a field involving medical training. The phlebotomy technician certification costs $125 nationally and $155 for international test-takers. The annual renewal fee is $60. You may qualify by completing a phlebotomy program or having sufficient work experience.
- National Phlebotomy Association has an application and certification fee of $170 total. To renew your membership each year costs $100. To take the exam, you must successfully pass a continuing education training program and accumulate enough lecture time and practical experience to meet the NPA curriculum requirements.
Those who attend a phlebotomy technician program may not have to fulfill the qualifications listed above. Instead, there are provisional certificates available through special arrangements with school programs.
You can obtain your certificate and license from as many of these organizations as you wish. Even after receiving your license, you must continue your education through seminars or advanced training to keep your certification.
The college you choose to attend will have a favored organization in most cases.
Education is important and necessary for many jobs. You must successfully complete your phlebotomy education in order to become a phlebotomy technician. Apprenticeships are not an option.
Career Overview
Job Requirements
Hospitals and medical facilities often have their own conditions when looking to hire a phlebotomist.
In addition to the educational requirements, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have the necessary experience.
They must also acquire a certification and/or formal training from an accredited college or post-secondary institution.
- You also must be prepared to pass a typing test (typing speeds of more than twenty-five words per minute are the norm.)
- Additionally, you will need to demonstrate proficiency with Windows, Microsoft Word, and basic computer skills.
- Drug screening is mandatory, so expect to be tested periodically. You also must pass a criminal background check.
- Working with blood can expose you to many diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, etc.) so proof of current health insurance is a requirement.
- You must also have up to date vaccine records (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox).
- You must be able to pass a health exam, including a negative test result for tuberculosis.
Job Description
Phlebotomists work in medical settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, blood banks, and diagnostic labs.
Depending on their place of employment, they may draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. Ethical behavior and appropriate treatment of patients are critical since a phlebotomist must be able to draw blood while causing the least amount of discomfort possible.
While playing a crucial role in the medical field, these technicians have fewer requirements than most other medical professions.
Help with Tests
Along with drawing blood, phlebotomists identify what blood tests a patient needs. They run required tests and send the results to whoever requests them. If a patient reacts to having their blood drawn due to weakness, fear of needles, or another cause, a phlebotomist must assist them in recovery.