54 of 100
scored questions come from Routine Blood Collections and Safety and Compliance
Phlebotomy study guide
Study in proportion to NHA’s CPT test plan. Routine Blood Collections (28) and Safety and Compliance (26) are 54 of the 100 scored questions, so together they deserve about half of your study time.
The CPT exam in one minute
- 120 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours: 100 scored and 20 unscored pretest questions. Pretest questions do not count toward your score.
- Content follows NHA’s test plan from the 2024 job analysis: 5 domains, used for the exam since January 7, 2026.
- Scores are scaled from 200 to 500, and a scaled 390 passes (NHA Candidate Handbook, pp.31–32).
- 23 core knowledge statements (terminology, anatomy, infection control, professionalism and more) can appear inside questions from any domain.
Details in the CPT exam guide and the CPT test plan.
Step 1: Split your study time by exam weight
The share of scored questions is the simplest guide to where your hours should go. The last column turns it into hours for every 10 hours you study; it is arithmetic from NHA’s question counts, not an NHA recommendation.
| Domain | Scored questions | Share | Of every 10 study hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine Blood Collections | 28 | 28% | 2.8 h |
| Safety and Compliance | 26 | 26% | 2.6 h |
| Patient Preparation | 20 | 20% | 2.0 h |
| Processing | 14 | 14% | 1.4 h |
| Special Collections | 12 | 12% | 1.2 h |
Step 2: Study each domain
What the test plan covers in each domain, with the free resources on this site:
Safety and Compliance · 26 scored questions
- 14 tasks and 16 knowledge statements in the test plan.
- Free questions: Safety and Compliance practice questions.
- Cheat sheets: PPE for Blood Collection: Putting On and Taking Off, Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, Hand Hygiene at the Draw Station, Sharps, Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Response, HIPAA for Phlebotomy: PHI Rules and Deadlines.
- Terms: Safety and Compliance (100).
Patient Preparation · 20 scored questions
- 17 tasks and 14 knowledge statements in the test plan.
- Free questions: Patient Preparation practice questions.
- Cheat sheets: Venipuncture Sites, Veins and Sites to Avoid.
- Terms: Patient Preparation (70).
Routine Blood Collections · 28 scored questions
- 18 tasks and 21 knowledge statements in the test plan.
- Free questions: Routine Blood Collections practice questions.
- Cheat sheets: Venous Order of Draw, Additives and Inversions, Phlebotomy Abbreviations and the Do-Not-Use List, Medical Word Parts for Phlebotomy, Capillary (Skin) Puncture: Sites, Depths and Order of Draw, Collection Equipment and Needle Gauges, Complications: Signs and Responses.
- Terms: Routine Blood Collections (294).
Special Collections · 12 scored questions
- 10 tasks and 12 knowledge statements in the test plan.
- Free questions: Special Collections practice questions.
- Cheat sheets: Point-of-Care and CLIA-Waived Tests: QC and Expected Values, Blood Culture Collection: Prep, Bottles, Volumes, Order, Pediatric Blood-Volume Limits and Newborn Screening, Timed Draws, Tolerance Tests, TDM and Blood Alcohol, Chain of Custody and Drug-Screen Collection.
- Terms: Special Collections (49).
Processing · 14 scored questions
- 9 tasks and 8 knowledge statements in the test plan.
- Free questions: Processing practice questions.
- Cheat sheets: Specimen Handling, Processing and Transport.
- Terms: Processing (24).
Step 3: Test yourself
Take the free 20-question phlebotomy practice test, split across the domains like the exam, then drill your weakest domain. Practice questions, flashcards and lessons were created for Phlebotomy Tech Prep: CPT. They are not actual exam questions and do not come from NHA.
Step 4: Before exam day
- Check that you meet the eligibility rules, including the 30 venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks. Eligibility and registration.
- Pay within 2 hours of applying, then schedule; you can reschedule for free within 6 months of the original date. Registration.
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID, and expect to use only the built-in calculator. Exam-day rules.
- A scaled 390 passes. If you do not pass, you can retake after 30 days. Scoring and retakes.
NHA Candidate Handbook, p.8, pp.13–15, p.21, pp.25–26, pp.31–32 and p.34
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.
Sources
- NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Test Plan, based on the results of a job analysis completed in 2024 · National Healthcareer Association
- 2025/26 CPT Preparation 3.0 and Exam FAQ's (CPT Customer FAQ, 4 pages) · National Healthcareer Association
- NHA Candidate Handbook (Updated 06/01/2026), Copyright 2026 Assessment Technologies Institute, distributed by NHA · National Healthcareer Association / ATI