4 Free Online Phlebotomist Courses (2025)

Phlebotomists are medical professionals who draw, collect, and prepare blood for testing.

Individuals trained as phlebotomists are prepared to collect blood from adults and children through venipuncture (puncturing the vein), finger pricks, and heel pricks.

If you are interested in becoming a phlebotomist or want to learn more about this profession, keep reading to find free training courses and resources.

Top Free Online Phlebotomist Courses and Resources

While there are no free online phlebotomist courses that lead to certification, the following free online courses and resources can help you gain a quality understanding of this career.

1. Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Mayo Clinic Laboratories offers three free online phlebotomy modules that are presented as free online videos, drag-and-drop puzzles, and interactive texts and quizzes.

• Module 1 explores phlebotomy terminology, tubes, additives, and equipment.
• Module 2 covers pathogens and infection control.
• Module 3 examines arm structure, tourniquet placement, and venipuncture.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories has been approved as a provider of continuing education programs for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences in Florida and California and by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. program.

The modules are approved for a maximum of 1.0 P.A.C.E. contact hour, 1.0 contact hour in California, and 1.0 contact hour by the Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel.

To receive credit, students must watch the modules, participate in activities, complete the post-test and evaluation in the final slide, and generate/print a certificate.

2. Unified Potential

Unified Potential is a non-profit organization that creates and delivers programs and platforms focused on children's health, transportation, engineering, and more.

One of its free offerings is a phlebotomy online course designed for high school graduates who want to work in laboratory medicine.

The Phlebotomy Training Course details the role of the phlebotomist and what it takes to work in hospital settings.

The 44-page course can be reviewed on Unified Potential's website or downloaded as a PDF. Concepts covered include lab medicine, safety, venipuncture, metabolism, hematology, and more.

Though the free online course doesn't lead to certification, it provides a quality overview of phlebotomy for students interested in better understanding the profession.

3. University of Utah

The University of Utah offers several free online tutorials in pathology subjects like aging, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

The web-based phlebotomy tutorial details the venipuncture process from sample labeling to vein selection and explores restrictions and challenges phlebotomists can encounter.

The process of blood collection is detailed in text with supplemental images.

In addition to the free tutorial, the university's Department of Pathology offers an online phlebotomy video lecture: Phlebotomy Ps and Qs: Problems and Quandaries in Specimen Collection.

This one-hour lecture is eligible to receive 1.0 P.A.C.E. credit or Florida credit. To receive credit, students must watch the entire video lecture and pass the quiz with an 80% or higher.

4. Center for Phlebotomy Education

The Center for Phlebotomy Education offers free resources for individuals interested in phlebotomy, including podcasts, PDF documents, and videos.

PDFs explore venipuncture vs. skin puncture, heelsticks, hemolysis, and the problem with underfilling tubes.

Podcasts include interviews with professionals in the field and explore clinical lab safety and pain management in phlebotomy.

Videos delve into the importance of proper training in phlebotomy and the critical role of phlebotomists in patient care and lab testing.

All materials are easy to access on the Center for Phlebotomy Education's website.

How to Become a Phlebotomist

The process of becoming a phlebotomist typically starts with earning a high school diploma or equivalent and then securing a certificate from a postsecondary phlebotomy program.

These programs generally take less than one year to complete with clinical experiences and are often delivered through technical schools, community colleges, or vocational schools.

It's best to look for programs that have been accredited by organizations like the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Depending on state requirements, students might have to secure licensure or certification after completing the phlebotomist training program.

Practicing as a phlebotomist might also require Basic Life Support certification and a driver's license to transport blood samples.

How Long Does Phlebotomist Certification Take?

The amount of time needed to secure phlebotomist certification depends on the type of certification desired.

The National Phlebotomy Association offers Certified Phlebotomist Technologist certification for certified nursing assistants (CNAs), medical assistants (MAs) registered nurses (RNs), and more.

To take the certification exam, candidates must have at least 160 contact hours of lecture time and 200 hours of practical experience with mannequins or people.

American Medical Technologists also offers phlebotomist certification.

The Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) exam is available for technicians with phlebotomy education or six months of full-time experience. At least 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures are also required.

Is It Hard to Be a Phlebotomist?

Working as a phlebotomist can be very rewarding. But like all professions, this career can also present challenges. The key is being well-trained for the role so that inexperience is not a roadblock.

Responsibilities of phlebotomists include:

• drawing blood from adult and child patients and donors.
• verifying patient identities and correctly labeling collected blood for processing.
• explaining the blood collection process and helping patients and donors relax.
• entering blood sample details into a database.
• putting together and disposing of equipment and instruments like blood vials, needles, and tubes.
• maintaining a sanitary work area.

Some challenges of working as a phlebotomist could include standing for long periods, working nights and weekends, and traveling to transport samples or set up mobile donation centers.

Injuries could occur if phlebotomists are not careful with equipment and supplies.

Start Free Online Phlebotomist Courses Today

Taking free online phlebotomist classes can open doors to amazing opportunities in the phlebotomy field. Explore free training courses today and begin the steps needed to start a successful career as a phlebotomist.