Washington Phlebotomy: the MA-P Credential
Washington certifies phlebotomists as a Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist (MA-P) through the Department of Health. You qualify by completing an approved training program and applying to DOH. A national certification exam is not required by the state, but most employers prefer one.
Washington MA-P Requirements at a Glance
Credential
Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist (MA-P)
Washington certifies phlebotomists as MA-P through the Department of Health (RCW 18.360); there is no separate "phlebotomist license"
Issuing Body
Washington Department of Health (DOH)
You apply to DOH after completing approved training
How You Qualify
Approved training, then DOH application
DOH accepts a phlebotomy program transcript or a supervising health care practitioner attestation. No national exam is required by DOH.
Application Fee
$145
$145 application and $145 renewal (DOH fee schedule)
Renewal
Every 2 years (on your birthday)
MA-P renews biennially on the credential holder birthday; no continuing education required
Do you need a national certification in Washington?
Not for the state credential. Washington's MA-P is granted on completion of approved training and a DOH application, not on passing a national exam. In practice, though, most Washington hospitals and labs prefer or require a national certification such as ASCP PBT or NHA CPT, and some travel and lead roles require it outright.
Bottom line: get the MA-P to work legally, and earn ASCP PBT or NHA CPT to be competitive with employers.
Note: Washington repealed its old HIV/AIDS training requirement for health professions in 2020, so it is no longer part of the MA-P pathway.
How to Get Credentialed in Washington
Complete a phlebotomy training program
- Enroll in an approved phlebotomy training program (many Washington community colleges offer one)
- Complete the didactic and clinical components
- Keep your completion transcript - DOH accepts it as proof of training
Apply to Washington DOH for the MA-P credential
- Complete the Medical Assistant-Phlebotomist application
- Submit your training transcript, or a supervising health care practitioner attestation that you completed approved training
- Pay the $145 application fee
(Recommended) Earn a national certification
- DOH does not require a national exam, but most Washington employers value ASCP PBT or NHA CPT
- A national certification strengthens your resume and is required for some travel and lead roles
- Study with materials aligned to the exam blueprint, then sit ASCP PBT or NHA CPT
Start working and renew on time
- Once DOH issues your MA-P, you can legally perform phlebotomy in Washington
- Your credential renews every 2 years on your birthday
- Renewal is $145; no continuing education is required for MA-P
National Certification Exams (employer-valued)
ASCP PBT
Provider
American Society for Clinical Pathology
Cost
$155 USD
Format
80 questions, 2 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score, ~400 to pass
NHA CPT
Provider
National Healthcareer Association
Cost
about $125 USD
Format
120 questions, 2 hours
Passing Score
Scaled score, 390 to pass
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