Do you want to learn more about the best phlebotomy schools in California? Does this sound like you? Let’s start with a little education.
Phlebotomy is the branch of science involving manual techniques for drawing blood from the veins and arteries of patients. If you have always dreamed of being a phlebotomist or working as a biomedical lab technician, then you’re in luck, because this article will tell you all about the top 10 phlebotomy schools in California.
The List of Accredited Phlebotomy Schools in California
We will take a look at some of the best phlebotomy schools in California.
These are phlebotomy schools in California that, by a country mile, have been reviewed to be the best schools in the medical practice.
If you live around the city of California and are looking to build your career in the Phlebotomy health care aspect, then these are the best options around you.
To ensure that you find this blog post helpful in your search for a phlebotomy school, we have restricted our information to include only accredited phlebotomy schools in California.
These are phlebotomy schools in California that offer certificates in Phlebotomy that are recognized by State Boards and health care associations.
- California Phlebotomy School
- California Institute of Medical Science
- Wagner Training Institute
- Pima Medical Institute
- Regan Career Institute
- Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
- LA Vocational Institute
- DNA Phlebotomy School
- Contra Costa Medical Career College
- American Harbor College
But before we begin, here is what you must know before applying to study in any of these phlebotomy schools in California:
- You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You must possess a government-issued State ID.
- You must have completed a high school diploma (in sciences), GED, or its equivalent.
- Some of these phlebotomy schools in California will require you to complete a one-step Tuberculosis test.
So, what are the top phlebotomy schools in California? Let’s dive in.
# California Phlebotomy School
- Total program cost: $1,895 (including down payment of $250).
- Time to complete program: 250 hours (5 weeks)
- Accreditation: Approved by the BPPE, the CDPH, and the National Healthcareer Association.
- Address: 26413 Jefferson Ave suite g, Murrieta, CA 92562, United States
Really, what phlebotomy school in California did you expect to top our list? The prestigious California Phlebotomy School is arguably one of the best phlebotomy schools in California.
Without a single doubt, they have proven their expert industry knowledge, that they’ve now become synonymous with health care.
CPS has by far, one of the most affordable tuition fees on this list. And they have quality training to go with it.
They provide non-paid internships to their students in hospitals to learn real-world clinical experiences.
These internships are usually 6-month or 1 year long, and they help entry-level students become competent health caregivers.
This school is approved by several medical bodies; including the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), the California Department of Public Health, and the National Healthcareer Association. Graduate students from this school are known to be leading experts in the field of Phlebotomy.
You can view their class schedule here.
# California Institute of Medical Science
- Cost of tuition: $2,335.
- Accreditation: United States Department of Education and other major accrediting health care associations.
California Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) has been in operation since 1979. With its main campus located in Clovis, California, it also operates as a satellite school in Santa Maria.
The focus of the school is to train phlebotomy students on different aspects of the field with an emphasis on performing blood collection procedures, though they also teach safety and infection control about the practice.
The core of this program involves several hundred hours of classroom instruction through lecture and hands-on training with venipuncture techniques, proper handling, and storage of blood specimens, patient assessment, and more.
If you’re interested in becoming a member at CIMS, you will need to submit your personal information along with proof that you are 18 years old or older.
You should be free from any physical impairments that would inhibit your ability to perform phlebotomy duties successfully.
Lastly, there is a $100 non-refundable application fee required for all new applicants.
If accepted into the program at CIMS, you can expect to pay somewhere around $3,000 for tuition–this includes both books and lab fees but does not include registration or examination costs which will run you another couple hundred dollars beyond tuition costs.
Students who apply within a week before classes begin are eligible for reduced tuition rates so if this applies to you then don’t hesitate!
View their program schedule here.
# Wagner Training Institute
- Location: Redlands, California
- Certificate Programs Available for: Phlebotomy Technician, Medical Assistant Phlebotomy Certificate, EKG Monitor Technician Certificate, and Nurse Aide Training Program.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
- Contact Details: (949) 380-1300 / info@wagnertraininginstitute.com
- Cost of tuition: $1, 995.
Wagner Training Institute is a leading phlebotomy school in California that offers an accredited certificate program of study for becoming a qualified phlebotomist.
Students can choose to enrol in either their “Phlebotomy Technician” or their “Medical Assistant Phlebotomy programs,” both of which are designed to help students earn the necessary qualifications for entry-level positions in clinical laboratories and healthcare facilities.
The Wagner Institute, Inc. offers an 80-hour course of instruction in the field of phlebotomy: 20 hours of basic education, 20 hours of advanced education, and 40 hours of clinical practice, following California State requirements.
It will be expected that students will perform live punctures on each other in a controlled setting.
Lectures on a range of topics are presented in an audiovisual format using state-of-the-art technology, including presentations on Arterial Blood Gases.
In addition, WTI provides clinical externship for students. These students will be placed in local hospitals, clinical laboratories, and clinics to complete the required coursework.
Before externship placement, students must demonstrate competency. Additionally, there will be scheduled time for lab sessions in the office during the week, by appointment only.
Wagner Training Institute, Inc. is a private institution that has been approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and also the Department of Health-Laboratory Field Services to provide the 80-hour course of phlebotomy study to obtain your state license.
The school’s phlebotomy training course involves classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice with real patients at local medical centres and community hospitals.
Visit their website here.
# Pima Medical Institute
- Cost of tuition: $2,400 – $6,000.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
If you’re interested in pursuing an education in phlebotomy, Pima Medical Institute (PMI) offers several certificate programs to choose from.
Through its two California campuses—Chula Vista and San Marcos—and its many other locations across the United States, PMI offers a Phlebotomy Technician Certificate Program that covers all the foundational knowledge you’ll need to become a qualified phlebotomist.
The program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and includes courses on medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, blood collection procedures, specimen processing and handling procedures, quality control measures, and more. PMI also offers financial aid to students who qualify.
PMI is one of the rather expensive phlebotomy schools in California on this list. However, it does a good job of providing quality training experiences for students lucky enough to be in this school.
To learn more about this opportunity visit PMI.
# Regan Career Institute
- Cost of tuition: $1,600 median cost.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Regan Career Institute is located in El Monte, California. Regan Career Institute offers a certificate phlebotomy training program that costs $1,600 and requires 120 hours of training over 2 weeks.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Center for Competency Testing exam upon graduation to earn their Phlebotomy Technician Certification (CPT).
Where applicable, students must also take and pass the State of California Board Medical Assistant Exam to become licensed as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician 1 (CPT1).
Regan Career Institute does not appear on the list of accredited schools published by the CAAHEP or NAACLS however they do have state approval through California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education which accredits vocational schools throughout the state according to Title 3 of Division 10 of the California Code of Regulations Part 59 Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.
The school does not require any prerequisite courses or degrees for admission into their program; allowing anyone with proof of high school completion or GED equivalent to enrol in classes as long as space is available.
View Regan Career Institute.
# Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
- Cost of tuition: $3,400 – $4,410.
- Accreditation: Yes.
Weighing in at number 6 on our top 10 list of the best phlebotomy schools in California is the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences.
It’s located in Richmond, California. The school offers a phlebotomy training program that includes both classroom and hands-on experience at a local medical facility.
At the end of your training, you will receive a certificate of completion.
In partnership with JVS, Kaiser offers a 10-week Phlebotomy Technician course that includes clinical externship to expose students to building their competency in medical care.
If this sounds right for you, contact their admissions department at (626) 405-3306 or visit their website.
# LA Vocational Institute
The LA Vocational Institute offers a range of phlebotomy courses, including short-term training as well as a full certificate program.
- Address: 1600 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
- The program offered: A certificate in Phlebotomy Technician.
- Length and cost: 6 months, about $600 to $1,600.
- Accreditation: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services Branch; and others
- Financial aid is available.
LA Vocational Institute is the City of Angel’s premier phlebotomy school. As far as our list of top phlebotomy schools in California is concerned, this school rightly earns its spot.
In addition to being one of the best phlebotomy schools in California, LA Vocational Institute also doubles as being one of the cheapest schools on this list.
They are accredited to offer the certificate for the Phlebotomy Technician program.
Hitherto, this program is split into three, thus:
- A basic introductory phlebotomy course that cost $600 + other related expenses.
- A full 5-week Phlebotomy Technician course that cost $1,600 + other related expenses.
- An advanced Phlebotomy program for professionals looking for a refresher course or to build competence. This costs $800 + other related expenses.
Overall, the LA Vocational Institute is a good option for one of the phlebotomy schools in California if you are looking for courses with pocket-friendly costs.
View their training and fees here.
# DNA Phlebotomy School
- Cost of tuition: Not known.
- Accreditation: BPPE, approved to operate.
Located in Canoga Park, this school is a great choice for anyone who wants a quick introductory course.
The school offers several courses, but the phlebotomy technician program is the one that most interests us for this article.
The Phlebotomy Technician program at DNA Phlebotomy School consists of 100 hours of training.
The program teaches students skills like blood collection methods and proper vein selection to help ensure that the process goes smoothly and safely for both patient and practitioner.
This program is a combination of lecture, lab, and hands-on practice with real patients under real clinical conditions.
According to their website, they offer day and evening classes throughout the weekdays and weekends as well as flexible payment plans, so it should be easy to fit into your schedule regardless of whether you work full time or not.
Visit DNA Phlebotomy to view their program schedule.
# Contra Costa Medical Career College
- Cost of tuition: $3,150.
- Accreditation: Yes.
- Location: Richmond, California.
CCMCC students have preferred the school’s “thorough and well-planned curriculum.” The school implements a unique plan where students complete clinical rotations at local hospitals, laboratories, clinics, and physician offices.
This allows students to gain valuable experience while still in class.
In addition to its excellent phlebotomy program, CCMCC has programs for EKG Techs, Medical Assistants, Medical Coders, and Billers.
The phlebotomy program costs $215 per unit and applicants must have a 2.0 GPA or higher to be considered for admission.
View their programs here.
# American Harbor College
- Cost of tuition: $1,500 – $2,300.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- Location: Orange, California.
American Harbor College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
They offer a 12-week phlebotomy training program which includes 96 classroom hours, 40 clinical hours, and 40 lab hours.
The school boasts an impressive 90% graduation rate and a 100% pass rate on all American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exams.
Instructors are certified phlebotomists with over 20 years of experience each in teaching phlebotomy students to succeed in the medical field.
This is a great place for anyone who wants formal training but has limited time or money to invest in it, as it’s more affordable than many other phlebotomy schools in California.
See program schedule.
Other accredited schools can be found in the table below.
| Abrams College | Modesto |
| Advanced College | Salida, South Gate, Stockton |
| Agape College of Business and Science | Fresno |
| Allied Medical & Health Services | Glendale |
| Associated Technical College | Los Angeles |
| AUMT Institute | Alameda |
| Butte County Regional Occupation Prog | Chico |
| CalRegional Training Institute | El Centro |
| Bay Area Medical Academy | San Francisco |
| Blake Austin College | Vacaville |
See the full list of approved phlebotomy schools in California.
How Much Do Phlebotomists in California Earn?
Naturally, phlebotomists are not the highest-paid medical professionals. Other practitioners like neurosurgeons, gynaecologists, and nurses, to name a few, earn way more than phlebotomists.
Phlebotomists are average earners, even in California. So, if you are thinking of building a career in phlebotomy because of the money, this may not entirely be correct.
Phlebotomists earn an average salary of $40,834 in California. But money aside, these professionals enjoy a truly rewarding career in the medical field. And expectations for this job demand is expected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030.
Knowing an Approved Phlebotomy School in California
As someone who is aspiring to become a phlebotomist, it is critical to attend an approved phlebotomy school in California.
When receiving medical training, any instruction should be advised by the state’s department of public health.
In California, all phlebotomy schools must be approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
The purpose of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is basically to protect and enhance the health of Californians.
Public health is the field that addresses potential health hazards and ways to improve population health, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The CDPH, as well as other state public health departments, focus on the following:
- Research
- Disease prevention
- Community Outreach and Education
- Disaster Response
- Health Promotion
- Behaviour Change
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) oversees the quality of California’s post-secondary institutions.
Like the Better Business Bureau, the BPPE regulates the institutions that Californians occupy.
Instead of focusing on consumer trust in the market, the BPPE focuses on student trust in private education by standardizing education quality in private post-secondary education facilities.
How to know if any of the Phlebotomy Schools in California is approved by CDPH and BPPE
Accreditation is a certification that states that a school has met the minimum standards for phlebotomy education.
Within California, the CDPH and BPPE provide these accreditations to phlebotomy schools.
All officially accredited CDPH phlebotomy schools are listed on their approved phlebotomy school list.
All approved BPPE institutions are required to post their updated BPPE Annual Report on their website for prospective and current students.
Therefore if you come across phlebotomy schools that do not fulfil these criteria during your research, they are likely to be non-accredited.
Wrapping It Up
There are many phlebotomy schools in California, but only a few provide the quality education required for an exciting and sought-after career.
These top 10 phlebotomy schools in California are on this list to help guide you to a program that fits your needs and will prepare you for success in the field.