Phlebotomist in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.
Jobs (IL)
10-yr job growth
Time to complete
route How to become a phlebotomist in Illinois
To become a phlebotomist in Illinois, while no state license is required by the Illinois Department of Public Health, aspiring phlebotomists must complete a state-approved training program and possess a high school diploma or GED. Most employers strongly prefer candidates to hold a national certification from an accredited organization such as the NHA (CPT), ASCP (PBT), or NCCT (CPT), which typically involves passing an exam. Training programs usually take between 4 weeks and 6 months to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience, often requiring a specific number of successful blood draws and capillary sticks.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Illinois requirements
| Licensing body | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - though no state license is required for phlebotomists |
| State license | Not required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED and completion of a state-approved phlebotomy training program. |
| Exam | National certification exams (e.g., NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, NCCT CPT) |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Illinois does not require a state license for phlebotomists. However, most employers require or strongly prefer candidates to have a high school diploma or GED and a national certification from an accredited organization. Training programs often include classroom theory, lab work, and clinical hours (e.g., 30 successful blood draws, 10 successful capillary sticks). A background check, drug screening, and immunizations are typically required for clinical settings. The Illinois Department of Public Health provides training materials for drawing blood from children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and facilities are required to ensure phlebotomists are trained in these methods. |
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - though no state license is required for phlebotomists
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.6%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk