Phlebotomist in District of Columbia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$47,110

trending_up +7.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.

engineering

140

Jobs (DC)

monitoring Strong

+5.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$119

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies depending on program length (e.g., 2-5 months for training programs)

Time to complete

route How to become a phlebotomist in District of Columbia

While the District of Columbia does not issue a state license for phlebotomists, national certification is a requirement for employment. Aspiring phlebotomists typically need a high school diploma or GED and must complete a phlebotomy training program or have at least one year of on-the-job experience. Candidates must pass a national certification exam from a recognized body like NHA or NCCT, which often includes practical experience requirements such as a minimum number of successful venipunctures and capillary sticks. Certification must be renewed every two years, usually requiring 10 hours of continuing education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,770

25th percentile $44,960

50th (median) $47,110

75th percentile $55,400

90th (experienced) $55,740

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for District of Columbia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist District of Columbia requirements

Licensing body	National certifying bodies (e.g., NHA, NCCT, AMT, ASCP, NPS, NPCE)
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED and completion of a phlebotomy training program (typically 40-80 classroom hours and 20-40 clinical hours) OR 1 year of on-the-job experience in the past 3 years.
Exam	National certification exam (e.g., NHA CPT, NCCT NCPT, NPS, NPCE) ($119)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	The District of Columbia does not require a state license to practice phlebotomy, but certification from a national organization is required by employers. Most programs require applicants to be 18+ years of age and a DC resident for free training programs. Some exams require a specific number of successful venipunctures (25-30) and capillary sticks (5-10).

Source: National certifying bodies (e.g., NHA, NCCT, AMT, ASCP, NPS, NPCE)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+5.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

18,400

Nationwide per year

Total employment

139,700

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.28/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

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

psychology

Wondering if a phlebotomist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a phlebotomist in District of Columbia? expand_more

In District of Columbia, becoming a phlebotomist requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED and completion of a phlebotomy training program (typically 40-80 classroom hours and 20-40 clinical hours) OR 1 year of on-the-job experience in the past 3 years.), and pass the National certification exam (e.g., NHA CPT, NCCT NCPT, NPS, NPCE).

Is a state license required for phlebotomists in District of Columbia? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a phlebotomist in District of Columbia. Note: The District of Columbia does not require a state license to practice phlebotomy, but certification from a national organization is required by employers. Most programs require applicants to be 18+ years of age and a DC resident for free training programs. Some exams require a specific number of successful venipunctures (25-30) and capillary sticks (5-10).

How much does a phlebotomist make in District of Columbia? expand_more

In District of Columbia, the median pay for phlebotomists comes to $47,110/year. This exceeds the $43,660 national median by 8%. New phlebotomists start around $39,770; seasoned professionals can reach $55,740.

How expensive is phlebotomist licensing in District of Columbia? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($119) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does phlebotomist certification take in District of Columbia? expand_more

The typical timeline in District of Columbia is Varies depending on program length (e.g., 2-5 months for training programs). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does District of Columbia require continuing education for phlebotomists? expand_more

License renewal in District of Columbia requires completing 10.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.