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NCCT phlebotomy (NCPT) passing score and format

You need 575 on a 200 to 720 scaled score to pass the NCPT. The exam has 125 questions (100 scored) in 3 hours, costs $119, and you see your result immediately. In 2025, 72.0% of first-time education route candidates passed.

Updated October 2026

What's on the NCPT

DomainScored items
Specimen Collection30
Preparing for Specimen Collection25
Infection Control and Safety15
Collection Complications and Troubleshooting15
Law and Ethics15

Test plan effective January 2025. 92% are standard four option multiple choice; 8% are alternative item types.

First-time pass rates, 2025

RouteTestsPass rate
Education2,89872.0%
Experience10581.9%
High school23551.9%

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Retakes and renewal

Wait 30 days before the 2nd and 3rd attempts, 90 days before the 4th, and after a 4th failure 180 days plus an appeal and proof of remediation. The NCPT renews yearly: 12 contact hours and $89.

NCPT FAQ

What is the NCPT passing score?

575 on a scale from 200 to 720.

How many questions are on the NCCT phlebotomy exam?

125: 100 scored and 25 pretest, in 3 hours.

How many sticks do you need for the NCPT?

50 venipunctures and 10 capillary punctures (100 and 25 for Louisiana applicants).

Free Phlebotomy practice questions

More NCPT guides

Sources
  1. NCCT: NCPT Detailed Test Plan (effective January 2025)
  2. NCCT: Scoring scale update
  3. NCCT Candidate Handbook (January 2026)
  4. NCCT: Phlebotomy Technician certification
  5. NCCT: Pass rates
  6. NCCT: Guide to the Recertification Process

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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 The information on this page may contain errors or omissions, or may be out of date: fees, policies, exam content and state rules change.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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