CPT exam: format and scoring

NHA’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam has 120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. 100 count toward your score, and a scaled 390 passes.

Exam format at a glance

• Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score.
• Items may require recall and critical thinking about a knowledge statement, a task statement, or both.
• Built-in exam calculator only; personal calculators and the computer's own calculator are not allowed.

NHA CPT test plan p.1 · NHA Candidate Handbook, pp.24–26

What the CPT exam covers

NHA’s test plan splits the 100 scored questions across 5 domains. Routine Blood Collections is the largest, with 28 questions. See the test plan by domain.

Core Knowledge (k1-k23) is not a standalone scored domain; it can appear inside items of any domain.

Ways to take the exam

• At an NHA-authorized school or employer site, if you are affiliated with one and it gives the CPT exam.
• At a PSI test center.
• By Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) at home or another suitable place; requires a compatible computer and an internet connection that supports VoIP. NHA assigns the LRP provider.
• Candidates who register on their own (not through a school or employer) test at PSI or by LRP.

NHA Candidate Handbook, p.14 · NHA CPT page

Scratch materials

• PSI test center: physical whiteboard, marker and eraser from the proctor (no scratch paper for PSI-delivered exams since June 1, 2026).
• Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): digital whiteboard in the testing platform.
• Exam at your school or employer: 2 sheets of scratch paper and a writing instrument from the proctor, returned before leaving.

NHA Candidate Handbook, p.26 · NHA update log (June 2026)

CPT pass rate

NHA reports that NaN CPT exams were given in 2024, with a pass rate of undefined%. 133,234 CPT certifications were active on December 31, 2024. These figures are for the exam before the January 7, 2026 update.

CPT exam FAQ

How many questions are on the CPT exam?

120 multiple-choice questions: 100 scored questions and 20 pretest questions. Pretest items are not identified and do not affect your score.

How long is the CPT exam?

2 hours (120 minutes), in one continuous session.

What score do you need to pass the CPT exam?

A scaled score of 390. Scores are scaled from 200 to 500.

What is on the CPT exam?

5 domains from NHA’s test plan: Safety and Compliance (26 questions), Patient Preparation (20 questions), Routine Blood Collections (28 questions), Special Collections (12 questions), Processing (14 questions).

What was the CPT pass rate?

NHA reports a undefined% pass rate for the CPT in 2024, across NaN exams.

Can I retake the CPT exam?

If you fail, you may retake after a 30-day wait. You get 3 attempts, with at least 30 days between attempts. After the third attempt, each further failure requires a 1-year wait. Every retake requires re-registering and paying the full fee.

Is this the CPT coding exam?

No. Here CPT means NHA’s Certified Phlebotomy Technician credential. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) is a medical coding system of the American Medical Association; this site does not cover it.

What does the exam cost?

NHA sets the exam fee and shows it when you schedule. Check the current fee on NHA’s website when you register.

Ready to study? The phlebotomy study guide turns these weights into a study plan, and the free phlebotomy practice test lets you check yourself.

Facts checked on October 26, 2026 against NHA’s Candidate Handbook (updated June 1, 2026), the CPT test plan, the CPT exam FAQ and NHA’s CPT page; page numbers refer to the handbook. Rules can change: confirm with NHA before you register. Phlebotomy Tech Prep: CPT is an independent app, not made by or connected to NHA.

Read next

• Test plan and domains
• Eligibility and registration
• Exam-day rules
• Scoring, results and retakes
• Renewal and CE
• Phlebotomy study guide