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Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) exam
Find the current format, timing, scoring, fees, eligibility, and testing options for PTC, with direct links to official sources.
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Questions100 scored multiple-choice questions; all AMCA exams may carry additional unscored pilot items that do not affect the score
Testing time2 hours
ScoringPassmark of 74 of the 100 scored items on operational Forms C and D and 70 on Forms E and F (retired Forms A and B: 69); Forms C/D equated to the 2021 PTC Exam Specifications Report standard; pass/fail decision reported with raw score and form benchmark
Exam feeUSD 119.00 for the PTC exam (study material included); a USD 25.00 non-refundable application fee applies to eligibility Option 2 (training program outside an AMCA Approved Test Site) or Option 3 (work-experience pathway); renewal costs USD 15.00 per certification every 2 years with 10 CEUs (USD 25.00 reinstatement fee if renewed after the expiration date)
Prep options
Study resources for PTC
Independent prep
Courses and study resources
Exam overview
What to know before choosing your prep
- Who runs it
- AMCA
- Category
- Phlebotomy
- Current version
- PTC Exam Blueprint 2021 (current operational forms C-F; Forms A and B retired 04/2021; passing standards from the 2016 and 2021 PTC Exam Specifications Reports)
- Where it applies
- United States — national
- Exam languages
- English
- Score scale
- Raw score out of the 100 scored items reported with the form benchmark and pass/fail decision; per-domain breakdown released only to unsuccessful candidates
- Testing provider
- AMCA-administered: in-person proctoring at AMCA-approved test sites; computer delivery through the AMCA exam-delivery portal (Meazure platform) with ProctorU providing live remote proctoring
- Format
- Computer-based or paper/pencil multiple-choice exam with an in-person proctor at an AMCA-approved test site, or computer-based with a live remote proctor (ProctorU); live remote proctoring is available for computer-based tests only; breaks are not permitted during LRP exams
- Availability
- Scheduled by appointment at the candidate's convenience: live remote proctoring lets candidates pick the exam date, time, and location; paper/pencil and in-person computer testing are scheduled with an AMCA-approved test site
- Results
- Immediate feedback for computer-based exams (scored on submission, delivered via the Meazure portal and an email notification); paper/pencil exams are Scantron-scanned with results delivered via the Meazure platform and email notification
- Credential validity
- Certification valid 2 years from the date of testing; renewal requires 10 CEUs every 2 years
- Remote testing
- Available
Exam structure
One 100-scored-item exam across six job-task domains: Professionalism and Regulatory Compliance (18 items, 18%); Infection Control and Safety (16 items, 16%); Patient Identification, Assessment, and Site Preparation (17 items, 17%); Equipment Selection and Maintenance (10 items, 10%); Collection of Blood and Non-Blood Specimens (29 items, 29%); Specimen Processing and Transportation (10 items, 10%); additional unscored pilot items may be interspersed
Where rules vary
US national allied-health certification: 'AMCA is a US-based certification agency. All certifications were created based on the roles of personnel in the US healthcare system'; AMCA also notes that 'Organizations outside the US may also be approved to offer AMCA certification exams, and candidates may choose to test internationally if all eligibility requirements can be satisfied'; state overlays exist on the uniform exam: Louisiana candidates must document 100 venipunctures/25 capillary sticks, California has approved the PTC as an accepted phlebotomy examination (effective June 30, 2017), and AMCA recommends a minimum of 30 venipunctures and 10 capillaries after a clinical program
Eligibility
At least 17 years old; high school diploma or equivalent (or in pursuit); agreement to the AMCA Code of Ethics; plus one of three eligibility pathways — graduation from a related training program at an AMCA Approved Test Site (no extra fee, all testing modalities), graduation from a related training program elsewhere (USD 25 fee, LRP only), or at least one year of full-time related work experience verified by the employer (USD 25 fee, LRP only); initial attempt within 1 year of training completion (60 days of approval for the work-experience pathway); Louisiana candidates must additionally prove 100 venipunctures/25 capillary sticks
Retake policy
Maximum of three attempts; 30-day waiting period after the first unsuccessful attempt and 60 days after the second; all attempts must be completed within 1 year of the first attempt; after a third failure the candidate may re-apply 1 year from the initial attempt