• 100 questions

Phlebotomy Practice Test

Unofficial phlebotomy test questions and answers in the five domains of a national certification exam's test plan.

MedlinePlus's adult CPR steps pair 30 chest compressions with how many breaths?

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Exam mode: 100 questions, 100 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the NHA, ASCP, American Medical Technologists or NCCT. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

The real exams, as each certifier describes them

NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

Questions
120
Time limit
120 minutes
Retakes
After a 30-day wait. Three attempts, then a one-year wait before each further one.
Scored
100 of the 120 questions count. The other 20 are pretest questions.
Subjects
Safety and compliance 26. Patient preparation 20. Routine blood collections 28. Special collections 12. Processing 14.
Passing score
390 on a scale of 200 to 500.

Checked October 12, 2026 against the NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis) and the NHA Candidate Handbook (copyright 2026). Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The NHA's own CPT page
Every exam in one table
ExamQuestionsTime limitRetakesScoredSubjectsPassing scoreQuestion kindCheckedSourceOfficial practice test
NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)120120 minutesAfter a 30-day wait. Three attempts, then a one-year wait before each further one.100 of the 120 questions count. The other 20 are pretest questions.Safety and compliance 26. Patient preparation 20. Routine blood collections 28. Special collections 12. Processing 14.390 on a scale of 200 to 500.not listedOctober 12, 2026the NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis) and the NHA Candidate Handbook (copyright 2026)The NHA's own CPT page
ASCP Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)80120 minutesnot listednot listedSpecimen collection 45 to 50%. Handling, transport and processing 15 to 20%. Laboratory operations 15 to 20%. Circulatory system, waived and point-of-care testi400 on a 100 to 999 scale.Multiple choice with four options and one best answer, given as a computer adaptive test.October 12, 2026the PBT(ASCP) Examination Content Guideline (revised September 25, 2025) and the Board of Certification's About the Examination pageThe Board of Certification's own PBT page
AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)200150 minutesUp to three more attempts after a first failure, with the whole exam each time.not listedObtaining blood samples 68. Specimen collection and processing 30. Safety 30. Time management 20. Legal, ethical and professional 20. Communications 11. Clerica70 on a scale of 0 to 100.not listedOctober 12, 2026AMT's RPT Competencies and Examination Specifications (copyright 2025) and the AMT Candidate Handbook (most recent revision April 2026)AMT's own RPT page
NCCT National Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT)125180 minutesAfter at least 30 days. A 4th attempt needs a 90-day wait.100 of the 125 questions count. The other 25 are unscored pretest questions.Infection control and safety 15. Preparing for specimen collection 25. Specimen collection 30. Collection complications and troubleshooting 15. Law and ethics 1575 on a scale of 200 to 720.92% four-option multiple choice. 8% alternative items, such as drag and drop, multi-select and hotspot.October 12, 2026the NCPT Detailed Test Plan (effective January 2025) and the NCCT Candidate Handbook (revised January 2026)NCCT's own Phlebotomy Technician page

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All 100 questions

Safety and compliance 26

  • A draw is ordered for a patient on Airborne Precautions for suspected tuberculosis. What does CDC call for on the health worker? CDC, Transmission-Based Precautions. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1I.
  • A draw is ordered for a patient on Droplet Precautions. When does CDC say to put on the mask? CDC, Transmission-Based Precautions. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1I.
  • A glucometer is shared between patients. What does the WHO guideline say about it before it is used on the next patient? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, knowledge k32.
  • A mobile draw site has no sink, so staff use antiseptic towelettes. What does OSHA's standard still require? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1K.
  • A new phlebotomist has finished bloodborne pathogens training. By when must the employer make the hepatitis B vaccination available? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1A.
Show all 100 questions (95 more)

Safety and compliance, continued

  • A patient faints after a draw and is breathing normally. Which first aid step is on MedlinePlus's fainting page? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Fainting. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1M.
  • A phlebotomist opens a patient's record to confirm a test order. What does HIPAA's minimum necessary standard ask for? 45 CFR 164.502, Uses and disclosures of protected health information (HIPAA Privacy Rule). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1C.
  • A phlebotomist wore a respirator into an isolation room. By CDC's PPE sequence, where is the respirator removed? CDC, Sequence for Putting On and Removing Personal Protective Equipment. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, knowledge k36.
  • A test kit runs short of one reagent, and an open kit of another lot number has plenty. What does CDC's waived-testing booklet say? CDC, Ready? Set? Test! booklet on waived testing. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1E.
  • A tube breaks and leaves a large blood spill on a cement floor. Which disinfectant does the WHO guideline prefer? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, knowledge k32.
  • An employee with occupational exposure declines the hepatitis B vaccination. What must the employer make sure happens? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1N.
  • Besides being closable, puncture resistant and labeled or color-coded, what must a container for contaminated sharps be? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1G.
  • Blood splashes into a phlebotomist's eye while a tube is uncapped. What does CDC's NIOSH page say to do first for the eye? CDC NIOSH, Bloodborne Infectious Disease Risk Factors. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1H.
  • By the WHO guideline, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis should start as soon as possible and no later than how long after the exposure? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 8, Implementing best phlebotomy practices. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1H.
  • During an outbreak of C. difficile, how should hands be cleaned after caring for a patient who has the infection? CDC, Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1K.
  • During use, what does OSHA's standard require of a sharps container besides easy access and staying upright? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, knowledge k30.
  • The external control for a waived glucose meter reads outside its expected range. What does CDC's waived-testing booklet say about patient results? CDC, Ready? Set? Test! booklet on waived testing. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1F.
  • In which setting may an employer judge that routine gloving for every phlebotomy is not necessary, under OSHA's rule? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1J.
  • MedlinePlus's adult CPR steps pair 30 chest compressions with how many breaths? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), CPR - adult and child after onset of puberty. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1L.
  • What does the WHO guideline say about gloves for drawing blood? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1J.
  • Where recapping a used needle is unavoidable, which method does the WHO guideline give? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1G.
  • Which act does OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard prohibit outright for a contaminated needle? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1G.
  • Which control checks the entire testing process of a waived test, from sample application to reading the result? CDC, Ready? Set? Test! booklet on waived testing. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1F.
  • Which detail must a sharps injury log hold for each injury? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1N.
  • Which item is regulated waste under the definition in OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, task 1G.
  • Whose input must an employer seek when it identifies and selects safer sharps devices and other engineering controls? 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens (OSHA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 1, knowledge k12.

Patient preparation 20

  • A 7-year-old needs blood drawn. Whose permission does the WHO guideline say may be necessary? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 8, Implementing best phlebotomy practices. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2G.
  • A patient has had a left mastectomy. Which arm does the WHO guideline's note on mastectomy point to? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 4, Venepuncture for blood donation. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2L.
  • A patient says she is afraid of needles. What does the WHO guideline tell the phlebotomist to do? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2B.
  • A requisition carries a diagnosis code. Which code set is used to code and classify medical diagnoses in the United States? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, ICD-10-CM. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, knowledge k44.
  • An adult patient is unconscious and cannot give informed consent. Who can give permission for a blood sample, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 8, Implementing best phlebotomy practices. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2G.
  • An alert adult says no to a draw after it is explained. What does the WHO guideline say? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2F.
  • How does the WHO guideline have a phlebotomist begin identifying a conscious adult? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2E.
  • How long does a patient usually need to fast before a test that calls for fasting, by MedlinePlus? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Fasting for a Blood Test. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2K.
  • The veins at the bend of the elbow are hard to see. Which aid does the WHO guideline suggest? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2O.
  • What should a patient be told to avoid before a throat swab culture? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Throat swab culture. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2P.
  • What should a patient be told to give for a sputum culture? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Sputum culture. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2P.
  • Where should a patient keep the container during a 24-hour urine collection? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Urine 24-hour volume. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2P.
  • Which can raise a lactic acid result when there is no underlying illness, by MedlinePlus? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Lactic acid test. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, knowledge k48.
  • Which instruction for a stool sample is on MedlinePlus's fecal culture page? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Fecal culture. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2P.
  • Which may be relied on to identify a neonate before a draw, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 6, Paediatric and neonatal blood sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2E.
  • Which position does the WHO guideline prefer for an adult patient during a draw, where possible? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2N.
  • Which question is part of the WHO guideline's step for preparing an adult patient? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2L.
  • Who may take specimens from a central venous line, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, knowledge k49.
  • Why does the WHO guideline say not to take blood from an existing peripheral IV site in a hospitalized patient? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2L.
  • Why does the WHO guideline warn about puncturing at the basilic vein? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 2, task 2O.

Routine blood collections 28

  • A healthy 3-month-old needs a capillary sample. Which site fits the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 7, Capillary sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3O.
  • A light blue, a gold and a purple tube are ordered. In what order does the WHO table draw them? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3J.
  • A lithium level is ordered on a dark green top tube. Which heparin does the WHO table say to use? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k57.
  • A routine coagulation assay is the only test ordered. What does the note to the WHO order-of-draw table allow? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3J.
  • After how many failed attempts on a child does the WHO guideline say to seek a second opinion? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 7, Capillary sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3C.
  • After the site is disinfected, the phlebotomist touches it to feel the vein again. What does the WHO guideline say to do? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3G.
  • At what angle does the WHO guideline have the needle enter the vein? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3I.
  • Blood drawn by syringe is being moved into a stoppered tube. Why does the WHO guideline say not to press the plunger? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k9.
  • During a venipuncture the blood is bright red and flows fast. What does the WHO guideline's table of adverse events link this to? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 4, Venepuncture for blood donation. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3L.
  • Enough blood has been collected. In what order does the WHO guideline end the venipuncture? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3M.
  • For a routine venipuncture, how does the WHO guideline disinfect the site? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3G.
  • How should a tube with an additive be mixed after it fills? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3N.
  • In CDC's NHANES laboratory manual, how long at most is the tourniquet applied while searching for a vein? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES 2017 MEC Laboratory Procedures Manual. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3E.
  • In what order are specimens collected from a skin puncture, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 7, Capillary sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3P.
  • The needle is out and gauze is on the site. What does the WHO guideline ask of the patient's arm? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3Q.
  • What does squeezing a finger too tightly at a skin puncture do to the specimen, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 7, Capillary sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3O.
  • What does the sodium fluoride in a light grey top tube do, by the WHO table? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k57.
  • What does the WHO guideline say happens when the needle is too large for the vein? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 3, Blood-sampling systems. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k56.
  • What happens if an evacuated tube is pushed onto the needle in the holder before the needle is in the vein? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 3, Blood-sampling systems. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3A.
  • Where does the thumb go to anchor the vein, by the WHO guideline? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3H.
  • Where does the WHO guideline say not to insert the needle, because a hematoma is more likely? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3F.
  • Which fingers does the WHO guideline recommend for a finger-prick? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 7, Capillary sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k71.
  • Which kind of blood-sampling system does the WHO guideline call preferable, as proven safer? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 3, Blood-sampling systems. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3A.
  • Which of these tubes comes last in the WHO guideline's order of draw? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3J.
  • Which set does the WHO guideline call typical for a specimen label? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3R.
  • Which signs does the WHO guideline say may come before a faint? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 4, Venepuncture for blood donation. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, task 3K.
  • Which tube does the WHO table list for hematology tests? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k57.
  • The WHO guideline prefers alcohol to povidone iodine for a routine draw. Which results may povidone iodine falsely raise? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 3, knowledge k63.

Special collections 12

  • For an adult, what total blood volume does CDC's overview give when at least two blood culture sets are drawn? CDC, Blood Culture Contamination: An Overview for Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, knowledge k77.
  • How often, at most, may a donor give a single unit of whole blood under FDA rules? 21 CFR 630.15, Donor eligibility requirements specific to Whole Blood, Red Blood Cells and Plasma collected by apheresis (FDA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4D.
  • In a DOT urine drug collection, which specimen temperature range is acceptable? 49 CFR 40.65, What does the collector check for when the employee presents a urine specimen? (DOT). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4J.
  • In the most common oral glucose tolerance test, what follows the fasting blood sample? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Glucose tolerance test - non-pregnant. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4H.
  • In two-step glucose screening during pregnancy, when is blood drawn in the first step? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Glucose screening tests during pregnancy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4H.
  • Under FDA rules, what is the minimum hemoglobin for a male allogeneic blood donor? 21 CFR 630.10, General donor eligibility requirements (FDA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4D.
  • What does a hematocrit measure? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Hematocrit. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4G.
  • When are newborn screening blood tests most often done, by MedlinePlus? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Newborn screening tests. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4C.
  • Where do the contaminants in a blood culture usually come from, by CDC? CDC, Blood Culture Contamination: An Overview for Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4A.
  • Which antiseptic does the WHO guideline say not to use on a child under 2 months of age? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 6, Paediatric and neonatal blood sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, knowledge k75.
  • Which of these is on the list of waived tests in the CLIA regulation? 42 CFR 493.15, Laboratories performing waived tests (CLIA). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4G.
  • Why is a PKU screening sample usually taken a day or two after birth and not at once? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Phenylketonuria (PKU) Screening. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 4, task 4C.

Processing 14

  • A centrifuge load is uneven. What does CDC's NHANES laboratory manual do about it? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES 2017 MEC Laboratory Procedures Manual. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, knowledge k87.
  • A specimen is rejected as hemolyzed and must be collected again. What is hemolysis? National Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, hemolysis. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5I.
  • A waived test result is phoned to the ordering provider. What does CDC's waived-testing booklet say should follow? CDC, Ready? Set? Test! booklet on waived testing. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5H.
  • An arterial blood sample will not be analyzed at the point of care. How does the WHO guideline send it to the laboratory? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 5, Arterial blood sampling. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5B.
  • For how long is a CLIA certificate generally effective, by CMS? CMS, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA): How to Obtain a CLIA Certificate (brochure). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, knowledge k90.
  • For which specimens does CDC's laboratory safety guideline say a pneumatic tube might be contraindicated? CDC, Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (MMWR Supplement, January 6, 2012). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5B.
  • In a DOT split-specimen urine collection, how much urine goes into the primary specimen bottle? 49 CFR 40.71, How does the collector prepare the urine specimen? (DOT). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5C.
  • In CDC's NHANES laboratory manual, how long do red top tubes clot at room temperature before they are centrifuged? CDC National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES 2017 MEC Laboratory Procedures Manual. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5A.
  • What does the gel in a serum separator tube do, by the WHO table? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5A.
  • What is a critical value, as CDC's waived-testing booklet defines it? CDC, Ready? Set? Test! booklet on waived testing. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5G.
  • When liquid Category B specimens are shipped, where does DOT require absorbent material? 49 CFR 173.199, Category B infectious substances (DOT). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5D.
  • Which packaging does DOT require for a Category B infectious substance, such as a patient specimen shipped for testing? 49 CFR 173.199, Category B infectious substances (DOT). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5D.
  • Who pours the urine into the specimen bottles and seals them in a DOT collection? 49 CFR 40.71, How does the collector prepare the urine specimen? (DOT). Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5C.
  • Why does the WHO guideline put the requisition in an outside compartment of the specimen bag? WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), chapter 2, Best practices in phlebotomy. Outline: NHA CPT Test Plan (2024 job analysis), domain 5, task 5B.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Test Plan of the National Healthcareer Association (https://info.nhanow.com/hubfs/Test%20Plans/nha-2025-cpt-test-plan.pdf, based on a job analysis completed in 2024, read 2026-10-12): 100 scored items in five domains (Safety and Compliance 26, Patient Preparation 20, Routine Blood Collections 28, Special Collections 12, Processing 14). The bank holds 100 questions in the same numbers. Every fact was read on 2026-10-12 in the public source the question names: the WHO guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy (World Health Organization, 2010), federal regulations on ecfr.gov (29 CFR 1910.1030; 42 CFR 493.15; 45 CFR 164.502; 21 CFR 630.10 and 630.15; 49 CFR 40.65, 40.71 and 173.199), pages and booklets of the CDC, a CMS brochure, MedlinePlus and the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. No paid laboratory standard was used. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This unofficial phlebotomy practice test has 100 of our own questions. It is not affiliated with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the ASCP Board of Certification, American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

Read the full guide

What the exam covers

The questions follow the NHA's CPT test plan (2024 job analysis), read October 12, 2026, and each of its five domains has as many questions here as the plan scores. The ASCP, AMT and NCCT exams weight these subjects differently, as the box under the questions shows.

Timing

Exam mode is a phlebotomy mock certification exam: all 100 questions in 100 minutes, the pace of the NHA exam.

Where the answers come from

Each answer names the public page it was read in: the WHO guidelines on drawing blood, OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard, the CDC, MedlinePlus and federal rules on blood donation, drug testing and shipping.

  • Routine blood collections and safety are 54 of the 100 scored questions on the NHA plan, so give those two topics the most time.
  • Tube colors and the order of draw here are those of the WHO guideline's table. Your laboratory's own chart is the final word.

Questions and answers

Is there a state phlebotomy exam?

The four exams this page covers are national. California, for one, issues its own phlebotomy certificate through its Department of Public Health and requires a pass on a national exam from a certifier the department approves. Ask your state's health department what it accepts.

How many questions is the phlebotomy exam?

It depends on the certifier: 120 on the NHA exam (100 scored) in 2 hours, 80 on the ASCP exam in 2 hours, 200 on the AMT exam in 2.5 hours, and 125 on the NCCT exam (100 scored) in 3 hours.

Is there a free printable phlebotomy practice test?

Yes. This one is free, with no sign-up. Print makes a paper test from these questions, with an answer key if you want one, and the print window of your browser can save it as a PDF.

Is this the NHA's own phlebotomy practice test?

No. The NHA has its own CPT practice test. These 100 questions are ours, written from the public test plan and public sources, and none is taken from any certifier's exam, practice test or study guide.

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