AMT-Sponsored HOSA Phlebotomy Competition

These are indeed two different things. The HOSA Phlebotomy Competition (an individual, not a group event), is sponsored by AMT and like HOSA’s other skill competitions, it has 2 parts: Round 1 includes a written test, which consists of 50 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes, and Round 2 is a hands-on skills assessment. Each state decides how they will implement the guidelines. Secondary (high school) and postsecondary/collegiate students start by participating at the HOSA local/regional level, and top winners advance to State, and then to the International Leadership Conference to compete. Local/regional competitions start as early as Fall, State competitions can last into Spring, and the International Leadership Conference culminates during the Summer.

AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) Certification is different and separate from the HOSA Phlebotomy Competition. RPT certification from AMT requires that you complete an approved phlebotomy program including the required instruction hours, as well as completing 50 successful venipunctures from human sources, and 10 capillary sticks. The national certification exam consists of approximately 200 questions. Instructors, program directors, and students may contact AMT to see if your program meets the AMT RPT certification requirements. AMT encourages certification, but it is separate from HOSA and is not required in any way to participate in the HOSA Phlebotomy competition.

Learn more about the RPT certification from AMT to see if you’re eligible to apply.

Reach out to your local chapter HOSA Advisor. You can also look for your state’s Chartered Association HOSA Advisor to find out how/when/where you could compete in your local area.

HOSA Chartered Associations

The HOSA competition is open to ALL secondary (high school) and postsecondary/collegiate HOSA members. However, the competition is NOT open to middle school HOSA members.

YES, absolutely. Working as a phlebotomist allows you to earn a competitive wage and gain experience while you work with other healthcare providers within your organization. You may interact with nurses, physicians, medical assistants, patient care technicians, and other healthcare roles for a first-hand perspective to determine

Contact your local HOSA advisor/instructors, as they may have local opportunities for funding. Local providers such as schools, community colleges, employers, or libraries may also have resources they are willing to share at no cost. Consider taking advantage of used copies of textbooks on Amazon or other online book sellers, and some publishers may offer digital resources at a reduced rate. Your school’s library program may also be able to obtain the textbooks you need.

Competitors should follow the dress code listed in the event guidelines or in Appendix D of the HOSA website. For the Round 2 skill portion, wear attire appropriate to the occupational area, like scrubs

Study resources and preparation for the phlebotomy competition include reviewing the recommended textbooks and practice questions, learning all skills assessments, and practicing skills on simulated practice resources.

Click here to access study resources, including two textbooks, supply options for the clinical hands-on segment, a list of topics on both the written exam and the skills assessment, and the HOSA Event Guidelines where you will find the skills assessment sheets:

AMT also offers some additional resources that may be helpful as study resources:

Yes, all secondary and postsecondary/collegiate HOSA members can compete in the HOSA competition, regardless of what certification exam your students take. Certification is separate from the HOSA competition. However, given the extensive study and preparation for the HOSA competition, students may be prepared to become certified. If you’d like to consider AMT certification for yourself, or your students, please reach out to partnerteam@americanmedtech.org for more information. AMT is a nonprofit organization founded in 1939. Its certification exams are NCCA accredited and widely recognized by employers across the country as a sign of quality and rigor.

Your school does not need to have a phlebotomy program in order to compete. You can study on your own and register with HOSA to compete. You are encouraged to reach out to your local chapter HOSA Advisor. You can also look for your state’s Chartered Association HOSA Advisor to find out how/when/where you could compete in your local area.

HOSA Chartered Associations

You can use rolled up towels to simulate an arm. You can use an orange on which to practice an injection in place of a simulated arm. Consider using your hands/arms to practice skills listed on the assessment sheets even if you do not have the supplies.

Per HOSA’s General Rules and Regulations #57, tests are provided for state and regional competition in a resource rotation process. Chartered associations have the option for their use. Tests are randomized and new questions are added to the test bank each year.

All test questions are created from material within the recommended textbooks for the competition. Recommended textbooks can be found here:

Phlebotomy is the art of drawing blood. The way a needle is used to draw blood is similar to the way a needle is used to start an IV. They are two different tasks, but knowing how to use the needle in each situation is somewhat similar.

The rubrics for each skill in the event will list if documentation is required. For example, if a patient starts to faint during venipuncture, the competitor would document their observation of the patient, intervention, and who they informed. Additional skills do require documentation. READ THE GUIDELINES AND RUBRICS CAREFULLY!

HOSA only provides the sample questions in the guidelines.

Typically, for the venipuncture skill a 21- or 22-gauge needle is used, and for the butterfly venipuncture skill a 25-gauge needle is used.

There is no age requirement for the AMT Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification. However, the certification does require completion of 50 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks from human sources. Most states allow those 16 and older to draw blood from human sources. A few states, and some organizations, have laws requiring one to be the age of 18 before they can draw blood from human sources. AMT recently created a provisional certification exactly for these instances, allowing a student to take the certification exam and become provisionally certified until they are 18 and can complete the required human draws and clinical sticks for those few states where this is an issue.

Contact our AMT experts at partnerteam@americanmedtech.org and we can get you started.

Many hospitals and healthcare organizations require certification prior to employment, or within the first six months of employment. These organizations value national credentials that convey you are prepared and skilled to perform the job.

While not all organizations may require certification, it often gives you an advantage over someone who is not certified. So, certification is always highly recommended and can help give you an edge in a competitive job market. Some states, such as California, require a license to practice phlebotomy. The AMT certification fulfills the exam requirements to obtain this license. Applicants should check their own state laws.

There are several routes to qualify. You must meet certain didactic program requirements at your school program (120 didactic hours) or elsewhere (40 minimum in hybrid setting), with both routes requiring 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures from human sources. Contact us for more information. partnerteam@americanmedtech.org

You can often set up clinical experience through your school, or by contacting your local hospitals or clinics. Contact us for more information. partnerteam@americanmedtech.org

You will need to apply online for certification with AMT and submit proof of training or experience. Then, take the exam at a Pearson Vue testing center and obtain the 50 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks on live patients.

There is no age requirement to take the AMT Phlebotomy certification exam. However, you must first qualify and meet the program requirements identified above for certification. Once your didactic requirement has been fulfilled, you can sit for the phlebotomy certification exam. You must then meet the requirement of 50 successful venipunctures and 10 capillary sticks. on human sources to become fully certified. In a few states, they require you to be 18 in order to draw blood. If you are younger than 18, AMT does have a provisional certification that allows you to take the exam and become provisionally certified until you turn 18 when you can complete your 50 draws/10 sticks requirement.

AMT offers a number of scholarships. Click here to learn more:

Please reach out to AMT and we will be happy to discuss how to get you started. partnerteam@americanmedtech.org

For advisors who need assistance in obtaining supplies, please reach out to Jan Mould jan.mould@hosa.org who can guide you in this process.