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Is the phlebotomy certification exam hard?

Published pass rates for phlebotomy exams sit between roughly 72% and 83%: 75.96% for the NHA CPT (2024), 72.0% for first-time NCPT education route candidates (2025) and 83% for the AMT RPT (2023). So most people pass, and 1 in 4 or 5 does not.

Updated October 2026

Published phlebotomy pass rates

RPT (AMT), 202383%
CPT (NHA), 202475.96%
NCPT (NCCT), 2025, education route72.0%
Each body measures differently. ASCP PBT recent rates are not published in readable form.

The exams side by side

ExamBodyQuestions / timePassing scoreFee
CPTNHA120 (100 scored) / 2 hrs390 on 200–500$134
PBTASCP80 / 2 hrs400 on 100–999$155
NCPTNCCT125 (100 scored) / 3 hrs575 on 200–720$119
RPTAMT200 items (outline) / 2.5 hrs70 on 0–100$125

NHA counts all exams administered; NCCT reports first-time candidates by route; AMT gives one yearly figure. Compare with care.

What makes them hard

  • Precise procedures. Order of draw, tube additives and special handling are tested in detail.
  • Safety and compliance is a quarter of the NHA exam.
  • Pace: about one question per minute on the CPT.
  • Hidden pretest items on every exam.

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phlebotomy exam FAQ

What is the pass rate for the phlebotomy exam?

NHA CPT 75.96% (2024), NCCT NCPT 72.0% for first-time education route candidates (2025), AMT RPT 83% (2023).

Which phlebotomy exam is the hardest?

The published numbers use different methods. The ASCP PBT asks for the most documented sticks: 100 successful unaided venipunctures on its route 2.

Free Phlebotomy practice questions

More phlebotomy exam guides

Sources
  1. NHA annual pass rates 2024
  2. NCCT: Pass rates
  3. AMT: 2023 pass rate by program
  4. NHA CPT Test Plan (2025, job analysis 2024)
  5. ASCP BOC: About the examination
  6. NCCT: NCPT Detailed Test Plan (effective January 2025)
  7. AMT: Applying and testing FAQ

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PassPulse is an independent exam preparation tool. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) or American Medical Technologists (AMT). Exam, credential and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the exams and materials described.

This page is for general information only. It is not official guidance from any certifying body, state agency or employer, and it is not legal, medical, career or financial advice. The information on this page may contain errors or omissions, or may be out of date: fees, policies, exam content and state rules change. Practice questions, answers and explanations on PassPulse may also contain errors. Always confirm current requirements and facts directly with the certifying body, your state, your employer or the manufacturer's instructions before you register, apply or act on them. Pass rates and statistics describe past candidates and do not predict your result.
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