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ASCP phlebotomy (PBT) passing score and format

The ASCP Board of Certification reports scores on a 100 to 999 scale with a minimum passing score of 400. The PBT has 80 questions in 2 hours and costs $155. You see a preliminary pass or fail on screen; the official result follows by email.

Updated October 2026

What's on the PBT

AreaShare
Specimen Collection45–50%
Specimen Handling, Transport and Processing15–20%
Laboratory Operations15–20%
Circulatory System5–10%
Waived and Point of Care Testing5–10%
Non-Blood Specimens5–10%

From ASCP's content guideline revised September 25, 2025. Testing is at Pearson VUE centers.

Eligibility routes

  • Route 1: a NAACLS-approved program
  • Route 2: 40 classroom hours, 100 clinical hours and 100 successful unaided venipunctures
  • Route 3: 1 year full-time experience
  • Route 4: RN, LPN or allied health education with phlebotomy training and 100 successful unaided collections
  • Routes 5 to 7: current MLS or MLT (ASCP), DPT (ASCP), or a CDPH-approved California program

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Retakes and renewal

You can attempt the exam 5 times under one eligibility route; after that you need to qualify under a different route. Each attempt needs a new application fee. The credential is maintained through ASCP's Credential Maintenance Program: 9 points every 3 years and a $110 fee.

PBT (ASCP) FAQ

What is the passing score for the ASCP phlebotomy exam?

400 on a scale from 100 to 999.

How many questions are on the ASCP PBT?

80 questions in 2 hours.

How much is the ASCP phlebotomy exam?

$155 application fee, non-refundable.

Free Phlebotomy practice questions

More PBT (ASCP) guides

Sources
  1. ASCP BOC: About the examination
  2. ASCP BOC: PBT credential
  3. ASCP BOC: Eligibility routes
  4. ASCP: PBT content guideline (Rev. Sept 25, 2025)
  5. ASCP BOC: After the examination
  6. ASCP BOC: Maintain PBT

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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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