1.1 NHA CPT Exam Facts

About the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Exam

Quick Answer: The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam is a 120-question, 2-hour exam scored on a 200-500 scale. You must score 390 or higher to pass. The exam application costs $134 on the NHA store, the exam is delivered at your school, PSI testing centers, or NHA online live remote proctoring, and the credential is valid for 2 years (renewed with 10 continuing education credits and a $195 fee).

The NHA CPT is an entry-level national certification that confirms you have the knowledge to safely collect, handle, and process blood specimens. It is recognized by employers nationwide and is one of the most widely held phlebotomy credentials in the United States.

Exam Format at a Glance

Scored vs. Pretest Questions

Of the 120 items you will see, only 100 are scored. The remaining 20 pretest items are unscored questions NHA is field-testing for future exams. Pretest items are scattered randomly throughout the exam and are not identified, so you must treat every question as if it counts.

How the Scaled Score Works

NHA does not report a simple raw percentage. Your raw correct count is converted to a scaled score between 200 and 500, which adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between exam forms. The fixed passing standard is 390. NHA does not publish a percentage-correct equivalent; the number of correct answers needed varies by form.

• Below 390: Did not pass — a retake is required.
• 390 or above: Passed — the CPT credential is awarded.

What the CPT Credential Authorizes

Passing the CPT shows employers you can perform routine and special blood collections competently and safely. With the CPT you can typically:

1. Perform venipuncture and capillary (dermal) punctures in clinics, hospitals, labs, blood-donor centers, and physician offices.
2. Prepare and process specimens for transport and testing.
3. Apply OSHA, HIPAA, and infection-control standards in patient care.

The CPT is a knowledge and competency credential. Some states or employers add their own licensing, training-hour, or supervised-clinical requirements on top of national certification, so always confirm local rules where you intend to work.