The Saddleback College Clinical Lab Assistant / Phlebotomy Certificate of Completion gives pre-professional and current professionals the opportunity to master skills necessary for employment as a Clinical Lab Assistant and/or Phlebotomist.

Program highlights include:

  • Non-credit, tuition-free certificate program.
  • Four-course sequence allowing students to complete their certificate as quickly as two terms.
  • Hybrid (online and in-person) class formats allows for ease of completion.
  • Assisted coordination for clinical placement reduces the stress of students finding their own clinical sites.
  • Exceptional full and part-time faculty with a passion for student success.


Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy, students are eligible to take the CDPH/LFS approved board exam and apply for Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, issued by the California Department of Public Health/ Laboratory Field Services (CDPH/LFS) branch. To be employed as a Phlebotomist in California, a state-issued certificate or license is required. Once licensed, Phlebotomists can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.

Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Perform blood specimen collection, transport, and processing as required for diagnostic testing.
  • Practice established safety procedures and communicate effectively and professionally with patients, laboratory personnel, and other members of the health care team.
  • Demonstrate preparation for applicable State of California approved Phlebotomy certification exam.


English Language Learner Students: Visit the ELL Healthcare Programs Page

Degrees and Certificates

View Classes in the Class Schedule

Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Information

Program Applicant Admission Requirements:

  • Earned at least a High School Diploma, HiSET, or a GED.
  • Be 18 years or older.
  • Possess a social security number or ITIN number to enable a background check and be eligible to apply for the CPT-1 licensure upon program completion.

Information Sessions

Next Information Sessions Date: TBA

Application Dates

  • Students apply for the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program during or after successfully completing MLT 410NC and/or MLT 411NC courses.
  • Students must apply using the online Submittable "Phlebotomy Application for Clinical Training in Fall 2024" application link.
  • Applications must be received by August 12, 2024.
  • Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC for clinical training.
    • The number of students admitted to the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program is related to the number of available clinical training sites. 
    • Students will be placed at one of Saddleback College’s contracted clinical facilities. 
    • To participate in clinical training, students will be expected to obtain the required clearances for both Saddleback College and the training site.  
       
  1. Enroll in MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC.  These courses may be taken together in the same semester, or separately over two semesters.
    • Medical Assistant students who have successfully completed MA 212B may petition to waive MLT 410NC and MLT 411NC, and enroll directly into MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC. 
    • Contact Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office to file a Petition for Course Waiver.
  2. Students must apply using the online Submittable PHLEBOTOMY Application for Clinical Training (MLT 412NC & 413NC) application link.
  3. Qualified candidates are admitted into MLT 412NC and MLT 413NC for clinical training.
    • The number of students admitted to the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program is related to the number of available clinical training sites.
    • Students will be placed at one of Saddleback College’s contracted clinical facilities.
    • To participate in clinical training, students will be expected to obtain the required clearances for both Saddleback College and the training site.

Students enrolling in MLT 413NC, Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the clinical training. Any findings may affect the student's ability to progress through or complete the program.

Students are expected to abide by the program requirements as stated on page 10 of the Clinical Lab Assistant/Phlebotomy Program Handbook.


Students are advised to start the clearance process while enrolled in MLT 412NC, at least 3 months in advance of placement.

  • Students must complete the clearance process by:
    • For Fall 2024 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
      • September 6th 2024 - due date to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center
      • September 13, 2024 - deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch
    • For Spring 2025 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
      • November 8, 2024 - due date to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center
      • November 12, 2024 - deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch
    • For Summer 2025 enrollment of MLT 413, students must complete the clearance process by:
      • April 11, 2025 - due date to submit all required documents to the Student Health Center
      • April 18, 2025 - deadline to submit all required documents to CastleBranch
  • Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
    • Verified by the Student Health Center
    • Students are required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
      • Measles
      • Mumps
      • Rubella
      • Varicella
      • TDAP
      • Hepatitis B
      • TB Skin test
      • COVID-19 (full immunity)
      • Annual Physical
      • Annual Seasonal Flu shot
  • Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions
  • Back Ground Check / Drug Screening 
    • Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
  • Professional Behaviors Release
  • Liability Insurance - HPSO
    • Select “Get a quote”
    • Select “Student”
    • At the drop down program menu, type in “Phlebotomy”
  • FERPA Release 
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Card: 
    • Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers). 
    • We offer a class at Saddleback College titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers. 
    • You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest http://www.lifelinecpr.com/.
  • Medical Insurance
     

NOTE: Phlebotomy courses are tuition free. 

Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs
DescriptionCost
Tuition per unit (CA resident)$0
Book$80
Health Fee ($26 per semester x 2)$52
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, etc (approximately)$50
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses
Medical Clearance and Immunizations$150 - $1000
Student Medical Liability Insurance$28
Background Investigation, Drug Test, and Tracker Fee$140
CPR/BLS$60 - $120
Total (estimated) Program Cost$560 - $1470
Exam Application and License Fees
DescriptionCost
California Phlebotomy Exam Application Fee$130
California MLT License Fee$100

Costs should not deter you from completing this program. Students in need of financial assistance should immediately contact the Saddleback College Financial Aid Office.

Required Courses
CourseTitleHours
MLT 410NCIntroduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession16.6
MLT 411NCBasic Laboratory Procedures16.6
MLT 412NC*Phlebotomy66.4
MLT 413NC*Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience58.1
 Total Hours Required157.70

NOTE: MLT 413NC must be taken within 6 months of completing MLT 412NC.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books
and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous
expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

ExpensesLiving With Parents (2 Semesters)Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees$1,432$1,432
Books & Supplies$1,062$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$14,480 $25,916
Personal & Misc.$4,059 $4,968
Transportation$1,791 $1,962
Total Resident$22,824$35,340
Total Non-Resident$35,124$47,640
ExpensesLiving with ParentsLiving Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees$712$712
Books & Supplies$354$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing$4,827$9,276
Personal & Misc.$1,353$1,656
Transportation$597$654
Total Resident$7,843 $12,652
Total Non-Resident$13,993$18,802
ExpensesLiving With ParentsLiving Away from Parents
 Fall & SpringSummerFall & SpringSummer
Tuition & Fees$1,432$712$1,432$712
Books & Supplies$1,062$354 $1,062$354 
Transportation$1,791 $597 $1,962 $654
Total Resident$4,291 $1,666 $4,462 $1,723
Total Non-Resident$16,591 $7,816 $16,762 $7,873
  • Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
    • Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
  • Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 capital outlay fee)
  • Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)

Optional fees

  • ASG Sticker - $10
  • Student Representation Fee - $2.00 (per semester)
  • Parking Permit Fee
  • Instructional Material Fees - as listed in the Schedule of Classes

Contact the Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy Program