Butte County ROP's Phlebotomy Technician Program is on pause for the 2026/2027 school year.

ANNOUNCEMENT from Butte County ROP

After careful review of current workforce data and local employer needs, we have made the difficult decision to pause our Phlebotomy Technician Program for the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year.

​This decision was based on an oversupply of trained phlebotomists in our region and our commitment to aligning our programs with local labor market demand to support our students’ long-term employment success.

We encourage you to explore our other healthcare training programs by visiting cte.bcoe.org. Our staff would be happy to discuss alternative career pathways that may align with your interests and goals.
Video: Take a sneak peek into our Phlebotomy program! See what our classes look like, meet our instructors and find out why students choose Butte County ROP.
Program Description
Butte County ROP’s 11-week Phlebotomy Technician program (106 clock hours) prepares students with the necessary manipulative skills, technical knowledge and experience for entry-level employment as a phlebotomy technician.

Through a combination of lecture, laboratory and clinical experience, students will receive skills training in the following: infection control, universal precautions, anatomy and physiology of body systems with emphasis on circulatory systems, skin preparation and punctures, laboratory tests, terminology, specimen handling and age-specific patient needs. 

In addition, for one week during the program, students will gain 40 hours of practical, unpaid on-the-job training through our “Community Classroom,” during which students will complete a minimum of 10 patient skin punctures, 50 patient venipunctures, and observation of at least two arterial punctures, pursuant to Title 17 California Code of Regulations (17 CCR), Section 1034(a)(2). 

Program Objectives
Students successfully completing this program are eligible to sit for the National Exam for Certified Phlebotomy Technician and apply to become a California State Certified Phlebotomy Technician. 

This program is approved by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services (LFS). Licensure is required for employment as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician in California.

Note: This program does not qualify for financial aid.

Academic requirements
  • You must be a high school graduate OR
  • Pass a general educational development (GED) test OR
  • Provide official transcripts showing credit for general education courses completed at an accredited college or university. 

Prerequisites
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Ability to read at a 10th grade level
  • TB clearance: Two separate tests at least 1 week apart (within 3 months prior to and due the 1st day of class)
  • Hepatitis B immunization: Verification of first immunization or completed series due on the 1st day of class
  • Note: COVID vaccinations are not currently required. Additional vaccinations may be required by the clinical internship sites. 
​
Non-US transcripts
All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by "Current Members" of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or "Endorsed Members" of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). This allows LFS to determine if your education is equivalent to a U.S. college or university education. The evaluation service will send an evaluation of your educational institution and academic courses directly to LFS.

To obtain an application, instructions, and information, visit them on the web:
If you are an applicant whose education and training/experience is from a non-U.S. school, college, university, or clinical laboratory, please make sure that your name is printed in English on all your transcripts and supporting documents and that it matches your name on the application.

Additional Resources

What is a Phlebotomist? (Video)
Classroom Photos (Slideshow)