How to Renew Your Phlebotomy License in California in 4 Steps

At BAMA Institute, it’s not uncommon for our graduates to come back to us to ask

how to renew their phlebotomy license in California. Time flies, and this biennial (once every two years) requirement may take them by surprise. Luckily, it’s not a particularly difficult process. In fact, you can do it in four steps. 

4 Steps for How to Renew Your Phlebotomy License in California 

You need to renew your CPT-I every two years to continue to work as a phlebotomist in California. Renewing your CPT-I also keeps your Phlebotomy Technician National Certification credential current. Here’s how to get it done: 

1. Complete continuing education hours 

Over 24 months, you are expected to attend six hours of approved CE classes to stay up to date on your skills.  Specifically, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says those hours must be from “a Department-approved accrediting agency or an accredited academic institution.” If you are actively working as a phlebotomist, most likely, your employer will make sure you complete those hours. After all, it’s in their best interest to keep your skills current.  

2. Submit your online renewal application 

CDPH now handles all its renewals through its online Personnel Licensing and Certification portal, or PERL. You should have an existing account from when you first obtained your license. If not, you’ll have to create a new one. 

The program is pretty user-friendly and will walk you through the application process using prompts. You will verify your personal details, report changes, and upload your information on your continuing education credits. You’ll also have to electronically sign your application to verify all the information is true and correct. Once that’s done, you can submit your application. 

3. Pay your renewal fee

After you submit your application, you’ll be prompted to pay your renewal fee of $100. This is another spot where, if you’re actively working as a phlebotomist, your employer may step in to cover it. 

4. Download and print your license 

Once you’re approved, you’ll be notified in the email you have on file with the state. At that point, you can download and print off your new license. The state doesn’t send paper licenses anymore, so this will be your only physical copy, though you can print it as many times as you need. As long as it’s active, you can log in, download, and print it. 

It really is that easy to renew your phlebotomy license in California. Of course, that’s only if you’re proactive. You’ll receive an email letting you know when it’s time to renew, so as long as you’ve completed your CEs, you should quickly be able to update it. However, life circumstances change. If you let your license lapse for some reason, you’ll need to take a different path. 

What Happens if Your License Lapses?  

Luckily, it’s pretty rare that we see students accidentally let their license lapse. CDPH will send you an email ahead of your renewal, so make sure the email address they have on file is always up to date. At BAMA Institute, we guide students through the application process and are more than happy to help our alumni as well. 

However, life circumstances may lead some to let their license lapse. They may have left the workforce to start a family, take care of the one they already have, or change careers. Now, they’re at a point in which their phlebotomy license would benefit them, but they don’t know how to get started on renewing their certification. 

Unfortunately, from an application perspective, they’re pretty much back at square one. Their process will be the same as a first-time applicant. That includes taking and passing an approved phlebotomy certification exam. However, education requirements are another matter. Someone who has worked as a phlebotomist before shouldn’t have to do the entire course again—and probably doesn’t need to. 

That’s why at BAMA Institute, we’ve developed a phlebotomy refresher course. Experienced students are only placed in the courses they need to update their skills and pass their exam. They will also take part in a short externship so they can meet the requirements for performing venipunctures and skin punctures in an approved environment.  

The steps for how to renew your phlebotomy license in California are a lot shorter than the steps to reinstate one. That’s why we always recommend our students set calendar reminders and make a point of continuing their education. However, in situations where that’s not possible, we can still help through our phlebotomy refresher training. 

BAMA Institute sets our students up for success by providing licensing assistance for first-timers and guidance for our alumni’s renewing their CPT-I. If you’d like to learn more about our programs, reach out to an admissions representative.