The APP Clinical Lab Assistant / Phlebotomy Certificate of Completion gives pre-professional and current professionals the opportunity to master skills necessary for employment as a Clinical Lab Assistant and/or Phlebotomist.

Program highlights include:

  • Non-credit, tuition-free certificate program.
  • Four-course sequence allowing students to complete their certificate as quickly as two terms.
  • Hybrid (online and in-person) class formats allows for ease of completion.
  • Assisted coordination for clinical placement reduces the stress of students finding their own clinical sites.
  • Exceptional full and part-time faculty with a passion for student success.


Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy, students are eligible to take the CDPH/LFS approved board exam and apply for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, issued by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services (CDPH/LFS) branch. To be employed as a Phlebotomist in California, a state-issued certificate or license is required. Once licensed, Phlebotomists can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.

Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Perform blood specimen collection, transport, and processing as required for diagnostic testing.
  • Practice established safety procedures and communicate effectively and professionally with patients, laboratory personnel, and other members of the health care team.
  • Demonstrate preparation for applicable State of California approved Phlebotomy certification exam.


English Language Learner Students: Visit the ELL Healthcare Programs Page

Degrees and Certificates

Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Information

Program Applicant Admission Requirements:

  • Earned at least a High School Diploma, HiSET, or a GED.
  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Possess a social security number or ITIN number to enable a background check and be eligible to apply for the CPT-1 licensure upon program completion.

Application

Application instructions are provided during enrollment in MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC.

  1. Enroll in MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC. These courses may be taken together in the same semester, or separately over two semesters.
    • Medical Assisting Students
      • Medical Assistant students who have successfully completed MA 212B may petition to waive MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC, and enroll directly into MLT 412NC.
      • A passing grade for MA 212B must be posted to the transcripts before submitting a petition.
      • Contact Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office to file a Petition for Course Waiver.
    • Certified Nursing Assistant Students:
      • CNA students who have successfully completed the full CNA program may petition to waive MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC, and enroll directly into MLT 412NC.
      • A passing grade for MA 212B must be posted to the transcripts before submitting a petition.
      • Contact Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office to file a Petition for Course Waiver.
  2. Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC for clinical training.
    • The number of students admitted to the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program is related to the number of available clinical training sites.
    • Students will be placed at one of APP’s contracted clinical facilities.
    • To participate in clinical training, students will be expected to obtain the required clearances for both APP and the training site.

Students enrolling in MLT 413NC, Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the clinical training. Any findings may affect the student's ability to progress through or complete the program.

Students are expected to abide by the program requirements as stated on page 10 of theClinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Handbook.

  • Students are required to register with CastleBranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker. .
    • Please select “Phlebotomy” from the menu.
    • Use package codes: SJ34.


Students are advised to start the clearance process while enrolled in MLT 412NC, at least 3 months in advance of placement.

  • Students must complete the clearance process by:
    • Fall 2025 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
      • June 18, 2025 – deadline to submit initial titer results to the Student Health Center.
      • July 16, 2025 – deadline to create your CastleBranch account.
      • August 6, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center, except for the flu vaccine (not available until August).
      • August 14, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch.
      • August 21, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents site onboarding documents to the program assistant.
      • September 3, 2025 – deadline to submit 2025-2026 flu vaccination to the Student Health Center.
    • Spring 2026 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
      • September 10, 2025 – deadline to submit initial titer results to the Student Health Center.
      • October 1, 2025 – deadline to create your CastleBranch account.
      • November 5, 2025 – deadline to submit final titers to the Student Health Center.
      • November 12, 2025 – deadline to submit all required medical documents to the Student Health Center.
      • November 19, 2025 – deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch.
      • December 3, 2025 – deadline to submit all required site onboarding documents to the program assistant.
  • Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
  • Verified by the Student Health Center
  • Students are required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
    • Measles
    • Mumps
    • Rubella
    • Varicella
    • TDAP
    • Hepatitis B
    • TB Skin test
    • COVID-19 (full immunity)
    • Annual Physical
    • Annual Seasonal Flu shot
  • Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
  • Back Ground Check / Drug Screening
    • Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
  • Professional Behaviors Release
    • Select “Get a quote”
    • Select “Student”
    • At the drop down program menu, type in “Phlebotomy”
  • FERPA Release
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
    • Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
    • We offer a class at APP titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers.
    • You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest .
  • Medical Insurance

NOTE: Phlebotomy courses aretuition free.

Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs
DescriptionCost
Tuition per unit (CA resident)$0
Book$80
Health Fee ($26 per semester x 2)$52
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, etc (approximately)$50
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses
Medical Clearance and Immunizations$150 - $1000
Student Medical Liability Insurance$28
Background Investigation, Drug Test, and Tracker Fee$140
CPR/BLS$60 - $120
Total (estimated) Program Cost$560 - $1470
Exam Applicationand License Fees
DescriptionCost
California Phlebotomy Exam Application Fee$130
California MLT License Fee$100

Costs should not deter you from completing this program. Students in need of financial assistance should immediately contact the APP Financial Aid Office.

Required Courses
CourseTitleHoursNotes
MLT 410NCIntroduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession
(online, asynchronous)		16.6May be taken concurrently with MLT 411NC or separately
MLT 411NCBasic Laboratory Procedures
(online, asynchronous)		16.6Maybe taken concurrently with MLT 410NC or separately
MLT 412NC*Phlebotomy Skills Lab
(in-person, on-campus)		66.4* Prerequisite: MLT 410NC & MLT 411NC
MLT 413NC*Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience
(in-person, off-campus**)		58.1* Prerequisite: MLT 412NC
Total Hours Required157.70

NOTE: MLT 413NC must be taken within 6 months of completing MLT 412NC.

** Two-week, 80-hour assignment can fall any time over the semester. No other class meetings required.

Fall Cohorts

Group A

1st 8-week Session2nd 8-week SessionAll Term
FALL410 NC
411 NC		412 NC
complete compliance
SPRING413 NC
placement in laboratory

Group B

1st 8-week Session2nd 8-week SessionAll Term
FALL410 NC
411 NC
SPRING412 NC
complete compliance
SUMMER413 NC
placement in laboratory

Spring Cohorts

Group A

1st 8-week Session2nd 8-week SessionAll Term
SPRING410 NC
411 NC		412 NC
complete compliance
SUMMER413 NC
placement in laboratory

Group B

1st 8-week Session2nd 8-week SessionAll Term
SPRING410 NC
411 NC
SUMMER412 NC
complete compliance
FALL413 NC
placement in laboratory

Summer Cohort

1st 8-week Session2nd 8-week SessionAll Term
SUMMER410 NC
411 NC
FALL412 NC
complete compliance
SPRING413 NC
placement in laboratory

2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at APP includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition and Fees$1,432$1,432
Books and Supplies$1,089$1,089
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$13,942$25,461
Personal & Misc$4,140$5,067
Transportation$1,818$1,989
Total Resident$22,421$35,038
Total Non-Resident$36,921$48,538
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition and Fees$574$574
Books and Supplies$363$363
Living Expenses: Food and Housing$4,627$8,487
Personal and Misc$1,380$1,689
Transportation$606$663
Total Resident$7,570$11,776
Total Non-Resident$12,970$17,170
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents

Fall and Spring

Summer

Fall and Spring

Summer

Tuition and Fees$1,432

$712

$1,432$712
Books and Supplies$1,089$363$1,089$363
Transportation$1,818$606$1.989$663
Total Resident$4,339$1,681$4,510$1,738
Total Non-Resident$17,839$7,081$18,010$7,138
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and 12-units for Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $450 per unit ($400 non-resident tuition fee + $50 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Contact the Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy Program