100+ Free NHA CPT Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, an employer must provide the hepatitis B vaccine series to at-risk employees within how many days of initial assignment?

3 days

10 days

30 days

90 days

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NHA CPT Exam

120

Total Questions (100 scored + 20 pretest)

NHA 2025 Test Plan

2 hours

Time Limit

NHA

390

Passing Scaled Score

NHA (200-500 scale)

$125

Exam Fee

NHA 2026

Content Domains

NHA 2025 Test Plan

Jan 7, 2026

Updated Exam Launch

NHA

The NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam contains 100 scored items plus 20 pretest items (120 total) with a 2-hour time limit and a passing score of 390 on a 200-500 scale. The five domains are Safety & Compliance (26 items), Patient Preparation (20), Routine Blood Collections (28), Special Collections (12), and Processing (14). The exam fee is $125 and the new test plan launched January 7, 2026 based on a 2024 NHA job analysis.

Sample NHA CPT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NHA CPT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, an employer must provide the hepatitis B vaccine series to at-risk employees within how many days of initial assignment?

A.3 days

B.10 days

C.30 days

D.90 days

Explanation: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires the hepatitis B vaccine series to be offered free of charge within 10 working days of initial assignment to a job with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or OPIM. Employees may decline by signing the standard declination form.

2When donning personal protective equipment (PPE) for venipuncture, what is the correct order?

A.Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection

B.Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves

C.Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection

D.Eye protection, gloves, gown, mask

Explanation: CDC and OSHA guidelines specify the donning sequence: gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, and gloves last so they cover the gown cuffs. Doffing reverses the sequence to minimize contamination of skin and clothing.

3After an accidental needlestick exposure, the FIRST action the phlebotomist should take is to:

A.Notify the supervisor

B.Wash the puncture site with soap and water

C.Complete an incident report

D.Begin post-exposure prophylaxis

Explanation: The first action is to wash the exposed site immediately with soap and running water. CDC guidance places hand hygiene at the site as the initial step; reporting, evaluation, and post-exposure prophylaxis follow as part of the exposure control plan.

4Used contaminated needles must be disposed of in containers that are:

A.Red, biohazard-labeled, and rigid puncture-resistant

B.Red plastic bags

C.Any container labeled 'sharps'

D.Puncture-resistant only; color is not specified

Explanation: OSHA requires sharps containers to be closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded biohazard (typically red). These features prevent percutaneous injuries during handling and transport.

5Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for an electrical fire?

A.Class A

B.Class B

C.Class C

D.Class D

Explanation: Class C extinguishers are designed for energized electrical equipment because their agents (CO2 or dry chemical) are non-conductive. Class A is for ordinary combustibles, Class B for flammable liquids, and Class D for combustible metals.

6Under HIPAA, which of the following is considered protected health information (PHI)?

A.An aggregated lab report with no patient names

B.A patient's date of birth combined with a lab result

C.Statistical data from a quality study

D.A de-identified specimen log used for research

Explanation: PHI is any individually identifiable health information that links a person to a health condition. Date of birth combined with a lab result is identifying. Aggregated, statistical, and properly de-identified data are not PHI.

7A safety data sheet (SDS) must be readily available for which of the following items in the lab?

A.Sodium hypochlorite (10% bleach) disinfectant

B.Tap water

C.Vacutainer tube holder

D.Disposable gloves

Explanation: OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires an SDS for every hazardous chemical present in the workplace. Sodium hypochlorite is hazardous; PPE, water, and tube holders are not chemical hazards.

8The single most effective method for preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections is:

A.Wearing N95 respirators

B.Hand hygiene

C.Routine gown changes

D.Surface disinfection

Explanation: CDC and WHO consistently identify hand hygiene (alcohol-based rub or soap and water) as the single most important measure to prevent transmission. Other measures supplement but do not replace it.

9Which body fluid is NOT routinely considered 'other potentially infectious material' (OPIM) under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

A.Cerebrospinal fluid

B.Synovial fluid

C.Saliva (non-dental)

D.Pericardial fluid

Explanation: OPIM under OSHA includes semen, vaginal secretions, CSF, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, amniotic fluid, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood. Saliva is OPIM only in dental procedures; routine saliva is excluded.

10Which of the following is a violation of HIPAA's minimum necessary standard?

A.Sharing a patient's full medical record with the ordering physician

B.Discussing a patient's HIV status in the cafeteria with a coworker who is not on the care team

C.Releasing PHI for treatment, payment, and operations

D.Faxing lab results to the patient's primary care provider

Explanation: Discussing PHI in a public area with someone who has no need to know violates the minimum necessary standard and confidentiality. Treatment, payment, and operations disclosures to authorized care providers are permitted under HIPAA.

About the NHA CPT Exam

Entry-level phlebotomy certification recognized nationwide. The NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam was updated January 7, 2026 to align with the 2024 job analysis covering safety, patient prep, routine and special collections, and processing.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

390 (scaled, 200-500)

Exam Fee

$125 (NHA (National Healthcareer Association))

NHA CPT Exam Content Outline

26%

Safety and Compliance

OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules, PPE, sharps safety, infection control, HIPAA, quality assurance

20%

Patient Preparation

Patient identification, communication, fasting, site selection, equipment setup, anatomy review

28%

Routine Blood Collections

Order of draw, tube additives, tourniquet use, venipuncture and capillary technique, complications

12%

Special Collections

Blood cultures, GTT, BAC, therapeutic drug monitoring, blood donation, peripheral blood smears, neonatal/pediatric draws

14%

Processing

Labeling, transport, centrifugation, aliquoting, specimen integrity, rejection criteria, waste disposal

How to Pass the NHA CPT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 390 (scaled, 200-500)
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $125

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NHA CPT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the order of draw and tube additives until it is automatic — Routine Collections is 28% of the exam

2Master OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules, PPE sequence, and sharps disposal — Safety is 26% of the exam

3Learn the special collections cold: blood cultures (skin antisepsis steps), GTT timing, BAC procedure, neonatal heelstick sites

4Practice processing rules: labeling at the bedside, centrifuge times, separator-gel handling, rejection criteria

5Score 80%+ on full-length practice tests aligned to the 2026 test plan before scheduling

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHA CPT exam pass rate?

NHA does not publish a single national first-time pass rate for the CPT, but training providers report roughly 75-80% of well-prepared candidates pass on the first attempt. The exam was updated January 7, 2026, so candidates should prepare with materials aligned to the new 2025/2026 test plan rather than older content outlines.

How can I pass the NHA CPT exam on my first try?

Plan 30-60 hours of study over 3-6 weeks. Master the order of draw cold, memorize tube additives and their tests, and practice 500+ questions across all five domains. Focus on Routine Blood Collections (28%) and Safety & Compliance (26%) since they account for over half the exam. Score 80%+ on practice exams before scheduling.

How many questions are on the NHA CPT exam?

The NHA CPT exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions: 100 scored items plus 20 unscored pretest items used for future test development. You have 2 hours to complete the exam. Items are distributed across five domains: Safety & Compliance (26), Patient Preparation (20), Routine Blood Collections (28), Special Collections (12), and Processing (14).

What is the passing score for the NHA CPT exam?

You must score at least 390 on the NHA scaled 200-500 score range to pass the CPT exam. NHA uses scaled scoring rather than a raw percentage, so the exact number of correct answers needed varies slightly with question difficulty. Most candidates need approximately 70-75% of items correct.

How much does the NHA CPT exam cost?

The NHA CPT exam application fee is $125 as of 2026. NHA also sells optional study packages (study guide, practice tests) that range from $40-$160. Many employers and CTE programs cover the exam fee for graduates. Retakes are charged the full fee unless your program has a retake voucher.

Where do I take the NHA CPT exam?

The NHA CPT exam is delivered through PSI testing centers and via online live remote proctoring. You schedule through your NHA account portal after your application is approved. Online proctoring requires a quiet private room, webcam, microphone, and government-issued photo ID.

Am I eligible to take the NHA CPT exam?

To sit for the NHA CPT exam you must (1) hold a high school diploma or GED, and (2) complete an NHA-approved phlebotomy training program within the past 5 years, OR have at least one year of supervised phlebotomy work experience within the past 3 years. Documentation of 30 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks is also required.