Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College offers phlebotomy certification programs in Aptos, California. Programs range from $800 to $1,500. Complete your training in One semester + externship.
Program Details
- Program Type
- hybrid
- Duration
- One semester + externship
- Tuition
- $800–$1,500
- Financial aid
- Available
- Externship
- 120 hours
Certifications
Accreditation
Prepares For
Program Highlights
- check_circleNational certification exam prep
- check_circleSanta Cruz area
- check_circleStrong clinical partnerships
California requires a phlebotomy licence
California is one of only four states that license phlebotomists. You need a CDPH Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate, which requires 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of practical training, including a documented 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures.
Always confirm current requirements with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Common questions about Cabrillo College
How much does the Cabrillo College phlebotomy program cost?
Tuition runs $800 to $1,500. That figure is what the school publishes for the program itself; textbooks, scrubs, a background check, and the certification exam fee are usually billed separately, so ask for a full cost sheet before you enrol. This program reports that financial aid options are available to students who qualify.
How long is the Cabrillo College phlebotomy program?
The program runs one semester + externship. Phlebotomy is one of the fastest routes into healthcare — most programs finish in a few weeks to a single semester, far short of a two-year degree. Clinical externship hours are part of that time, not an extra step afterwards.
Do I need a licence to work as a phlebotomist in California?
California is one of only four states that license phlebotomists. You need a CDPH Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) certificate, which requires 40 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of practical training, including a documented 50 venipunctures and 10 skin punctures. Confirm current requirements with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
What certification does Cabrillo College prepare you for?
The program prepares students to sit for CPT-1. Certification is awarded by the certifying body after you pass its exam, not by the school — finishing the program makes you eligible to test.
Is Cabrillo College accredited?
This program lists accreditation or approval from CDPH. Accreditation status can change, so verify it directly with the accrediting body before you pay anything.
Does the Cabrillo College program include a clinical externship?
Yes, 120 hours. An externship puts you in a real lab or draw station with live patients, which is what most employers and — in regulated states — the certifying body want to see.
Where is Cabrillo College located?
The program is based in Aptos, California. Check with the school which campus or clinical site your cohort actually meets at, as it is not always the main address.
Other phlebotomy programs in California
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- check_circleOne semester + externship program
- check_circleFinancial aid may be available
- check_circleIncludes a clinical externship
Found a program? Here is the rest of it
Picking a school is one step of four. We cover what to ask before you enrol, how to pay for it — short programs became Pell-eligible in July 2026 — what training is like, and how to get hired afterwards.
- 1
Starting out
Work out whether the job suits you, what it pays, and what your state requires — before you spend anything.
- 2You are here
Choosing a school and paying for it
Compare real programs on the things that decide your outcome, then find the money. Short programs became Pell-eligible in July 2026.
- 3
Going to school
What the classroom and the externship are actually like, and passing your certification exam the first time.
- 4
Getting hired
Where phlebotomists actually work, what entry-level hiring looks like, and how to get past the experience catch-22.