Here is the path most new phlebotomists follow. Keep this list; the rest of the course follows the same order.

1. Meet the basics: high school diploma or GED, age 18+ for most programs, and the ability to pass a background check and drug screen.
2. Learn the theory: anatomy, safety, equipment, procedures and specimen handling (Modules 2 to 9).
3. Complete supervised practice: a clinical practicum or externship where you perform real draws under supervision and document each one.
4. Earn a national certification: sit for an exam such as NHA CPT, ASCP PBT or AMT RPT (Module 10).
5. Get licensed if your state requires it: California, Nevada, Louisiana and Washington regulate phlebotomists. California’s CPT I path is covered in detail in Lesson 10.2.
6. Land your first job: use your externship as a working interview (Module 11).

Typical timeline: 1 to 4 months for training, 2 to 6 weeks for externship, then exam scheduling and (where required) license processing.