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No state license requiredNorth Dakota phlebotomy certification.
North Dakota has no state-issued phlebotomy license requirement. Hiring runs on national certification (ASCP PBT, NHA CPT, or AMT RPT) by employer practice. Here is how hiring, pay, training, and certification work across Fargo, Bismarck.
North Dakota at a glance
- State license required
- No
- Accepted certifications
- ASCP PBT, NHA CPT, AMT RPT
- Most requested by employers
- ASCP PBT
- Major metros
- Fargo, Bismarck
- National median wage
- $43,660 / year ($20.99/hr) · BLS, May 2024
North Dakota hiring landscape
Sanford Health and Essentia Health prefer ASCP. Across Fargo, Bismarck, hospital labs, reference labs such as Quest and Labcorp draw sites, outpatient clinics, and blood-donation centers make up most openings.
Major metros
Fargo, Bismarck
Training pathways in North Dakota
North Dakota does not mandate a specific program, but employers expect formal training. Community colleges, vocational and technical schools, hospital-based programs, and American Red Cross chapters across Fargo, Bismarck offer phlebotomy certificates that usually take less than a year. These programs cover anatomy, specimen handling, and supervised live draws, and prepare you to sit for the ASCP PBT or NHA CPT exam.
Pay for North Dakota phlebotomists
The national median wage for phlebotomists is $43,660 per year, or $20.99 per hour (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). The lowest 10 percent earn under $34,860 and the highest 10 percent earn over $57,750. The field is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 18,400 openings each year. Pay in North Dakota varies by metro and setting, with hospitals and outpatient centers typically toward the higher end.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024).
North Dakota phlebotomy FAQs
Do I need a license to work as a phlebotomist in North Dakota?
No. North Dakota does not require a state-issued phlebotomy license. Hiring runs on national certification: ASCP PBT, NHA CPT, or AMT RPT.
Which phlebotomy certification do North Dakota employers prefer?
Sanford Health and Essentia Health prefer ASCP. ASCP PBT is the most widely requested credential, and NHA CPT and AMT RPT are also accepted across the state.
How much do phlebotomists earn in North Dakota?
The national median wage is $43,660 per year ($20.99 per hour), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), with most phlebotomists earning between $34,860 and $57,750. Pay in North Dakota varies by metro (Fargo, Bismarck) and setting, with hospitals and outpatient centers typically toward the higher end.
Where can I train for phlebotomy in North Dakota?
Community colleges, vocational and technical schools, hospital-based programs, and American Red Cross chapters across Fargo, Bismarck offer phlebotomy certificates that usually take less than a year to complete.
How do I get certified to work in North Dakota?
Complete a phlebotomy training program, then pass the ASCP PBT or NHA CPT exam. North Dakota accepts all three national certifications for employment.
Why ASCP PBT specifically
Even though North Dakota does not legally require certification, hospital and acute-care employers consistently prefer ASCP PBT. The credentialing body describes itself as the gold standard for laboratory professionals worldwide, and ASCP-conducted studies put the certified-vs-uncertified pay premium at roughly 15 percent.
PBT is also the entry to ASCPs MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) and MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) pathway.