4-Week Phlebotomy Certification Program

Mission Career College’s Phlebotomy Technician I program is a fast, hands-on 4-week training designed to prepare students for California CPT-1 licensure and immediate entry into the healthcare field. In just 4 weeks (3 weeks of in-class instruction + 1 week clinical externship), you’ll learn venipuncture, capillary collection, specimen processing, infection control, and essential patient-care skills needed in hospitals, labs, and outpatient clinics.

Training is delivered in person at both our Riverside and Victorville campuses, serving students across the Inland Empire and High Desert communities—including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Perris, Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Adelanto, and surrounding areas.

Every student receives a guaranteed 40-hour clinical externship through MCC’s network of local clinic, laboratory, and healthcare partners. After completing the program and required clinical hours, graduates become eligible for national certification and California state CPT-1 licensure, opening doors to entry-level roles with competitive wages and strong regional job demand.

Choosing the right phlebotomy program matters. Here’s what sets Mission Career College’s Phlebotomy Technician I Program apart:

Graduate in Just 4 Weeks

Our accelerated 4-week schedule (3 weeks of instruction + 1 week externship) gets you trained, certification-ready, and prepared for employment faster than community college programs that run for several months or offer limited start dates.

Guaranteed Externship Placement

Every student receives a 40-hour clinical externship through MCC’s network of local clinics, labs, and healthcare providers. You do not need to find your own site—externships are arranged for you and fulfill California’s CPT-1 licensing requirements.

Direct Pathway to CPT-1 Licensure

Our curriculum is designed specifically to meet California’s CPT-1 standards. You will complete the required venipunctures, gain hands-on proficiency in blood collection, and receive support preparing for the national certification exam and state application.

Affordable Tuition with No Hidden Fees

At approximately $2,035 for the entire program, MCC offers one of the most affordable phlebotomy training options in the region. Externship placement and exam preparation guidance are included. Payment plans and workforce funding options (WIOA, CalWORKs, VA benefits) help make enrollment accessible.

Small Class Sizes for Better Learning

Classes are intentionally kept small—typically 10–15 students—to ensure individualized instruction, supervised practice, and more meaningful hands-on training. This provides a higher-quality learning environment than programs that enroll 25 or more students per class.

Two Convenient Campus Locations

Phlebotomy training is available at both our Riverside and Victorville campuses, serving students throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert. Students can train at the campus closest to home, and externship placements are arranged locally for each region.

Trusted Training and Career Guidance

With more than a decade of experience in healthcare education, MCC is known for producing competent, job-ready graduates. While no school can guarantee employment, we provide resume assistance, interview preparation, and guidance to help support your job search.

Clinical Externship

Your training concludes with a supervised 40-hour clinical externship at an approved partner site. This is where you apply your skills on real patients under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Mission Career College coordinates and guarantees externship placement for every student through our network of clinics, laboratories, and healthcare facilities across the Inland Empire and High Desert. Students are not responsible for securing their own externship.

During the externship, you will complete the California CPT-1 requirements, including:

• At least 50 venipunctures
• At least 10 capillary (finger-stick) collections
• Demonstration of safe specimen handling and patient-care procedures

This externship is more than a licensing requirement—it is your transition into the working world. Students consistently report that externship strengthens confidence, builds professional relationships, and often leads to job opportunities.

Career Path & Certification

After successfully completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mission Career College. Graduates are eligible to:

1. Sit for a national phlebotomy certification exam (NHA, NCCT, or equivalent).
2. Apply to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT-1) licensure.
3. Begin working legally as a phlebotomist in California once licensure is approved.

We provide guidance on the certification and licensure application process to ensure you understand each step toward becoming a CPT-1.

With your CPT-1 license, you may work in:

• Hospitals and medical centers (inpatient & outpatient lab services)
• Diagnostic laboratories (LabCorp, Quest, blood banks, etc.)
• Physicians’ offices, urgent cares, and outpatient clinics
• Donation centers and mobile blood services

Phlebotomy is also an excellent entry point into the broader healthcare field. Many graduates use their experience as a pathway into nursing, medical assisting, laboratory technology, or other allied health roles.

Job outlook for phlebotomists remains strong across California and especially in the Inland Empire and High Desert regions, where healthcare facilities consistently seek certified, well-trained technicians. While MCC provides career guidance, resume preparation, and job-search support, employment cannot be guaranteed.

Format & cadence

• Schedule: Tue–Thu, 08:00–14:00
• Length: 4 weeks total (includes 1‑week externship)
• Location options: Riverside or Victorville campuses

Riverside Campus

• Nov 25 – Dec 22, 2025
• Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 23, 2026

Victorville Campus

• Nov 25 – Dec 22, 2025
• Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 23, 2026

Seats are limited. We cap each cohort at ~15 students and sessions fill quickly—apply early to reserve a spot.

Note: Dates and meeting times are accurate to the current academic schedule but may adjust slightly (e.g., for holidays). Please confirm final details with Admissions when you enroll.

We believe in transparent, affordable pricing – with no gimmicks. Here’s a plain breakdown of the program cost and ways to pay:

• Tuition: $2,035 total for the Phlebotomy Technician program. This covers all instruction and the externship. Compared to other local options charging $2,500–$3,000+, MCC offers high value at a lower cost.
• Included: Externship placement and basic lab supplies are included in tuition. No additional fees for clinical training or school-issued certificates. (Students are responsible for personal items like scrubs or immunizations, and the state exam fee when you apply for certification.)
• Payment Plans: We offer zero-interest payment plans to spread out the cost. Everyone qualifies – no credit check. Just pay a $650 deposit to secure your seat, and the remaining balance can be paid in installments during the course. We make sure finances aren’t a barrier.
• Workforce Funding: Mission Career College is an approved training provider for various workforce development and vocational rehab programs. We gladly accept WIOA, CalWORKs, TAA, and similar funding vouchers. We also accept VA education benefits for veterans. If you qualify for any agency sponsorship or scholarship, let us know – we will work with them.
• No Federal Loans Required: We do not burden students with federal loans (MCC opts out of federal financial aid programs). Given the short duration and low cost, most students either pay via our payment plan or through the third-party funding above. This means you graduate debt-free from our program.

Legal Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change with notice. The $2,035 rate is current for 2025. Always confirm the latest tuition with our admissions office. We provide a detailed Enrollment Agreement and School Performance Fact Sheet that outline all costs and financial facts before you sign up. There are no hidden charges. Your financial peace of mind is important to us – if you have any questions about cost, just ask.

Starting at MCC is straightforward. Our team will assist you each step of the way. Here’s how to get started:

1. Check Your Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old (or 17 with a high school diploma) and have a high school diploma or GED. This is required for CPT-1 certification. No prior healthcare experience is needed. If you meet this, you’re likely eligible to enroll.
2. Contact Admissions / Apply: Submit an application online or in person. You can Request Info and our admissions counselor will reach out to help you complete the application. There’s a simple form to fill out and an enrollment agreement to sign (which outlines program details and policies).
3. Complete Requirements: Before classes start, you’ll need a few health and background clearance items (we’ll guide you through these):
   • Physical Exam & Immunizations: A basic physical and up-to-date TB test/immunizations are required for clinical training (to ensure safety for you and patients).
   • CPR Certification: You need a current CPR certification for Healthcare Providers. If you don’t have one, we can help arrange a session to get certified before phlebotomy classes begin.
   • Background Check (Live Scan): As with any California healthcare license, a Live Scan fingerprint background check is required. We’ll provide instructions; it’s a quick process to ensure eligibility for state certification.
   • ID and Social Security: You’ll provide a copy of a government photo ID and your Social Security card for your student file (needed when you apply for the state license).
4. Plan Your Payment: During enrollment, you’ll decide on your payment method. Pay upfront or set up the no-interest payment plan. If you’re using workforce funding or VA benefits, our staff will coordinate with the agency. A small registration fee or deposit may be collected to hold your seat, which counts toward tuition.
5. Orientation & Start: Once paperwork and payments are arranged, you’ll attend a short orientation (either just before class or on day 1). Then your training begins! We’ll introduce you to your instructor, give you a schedule, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a phlebotomist.

Throughout this process, our friendly admissions team is here to help. Have a question? Just call us. We strive to make enrollment as easy and welcoming as possible, so you can focus on your goal of starting the program.

• Do I need any medical experience or college credits to join?
  No. No prior healthcare experience is required. Our phlebotomy training starts with the basics and is designed for beginners. As long as you have a high school diploma or GED, you can enroll and succeed in this program. We’ve had students from all backgrounds – from retail workers to CNAs – all driven to start a career in healthcare.
• Is the externship guaranteed for every student?
  Yes. An externship placement is guaranteed as part of our program. MCC will arrange your clinical externship for you at one of our partner sites (hospital, clinic, or lab) in the High Desert area. You do not need to find your own externship. This ensures you complete the required 40 hours of clinical training and at least 50 blood draws needed for certification. (Note: You may need to complete onboarding or health clearances for the extern site, but we coordinate all the details.)
• What certification will I have after this program?
  You will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mission Career College upon finishing the course. With that, you become eligible to take the National Phlebotomy Certification Exam (we’ll advise which exam to take, such as NHA or NCCT) and then apply to the state of California for your Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT-1) license. The CPT-1 license is the state credential that allows you to work as a phlebotomist in California. Our program is approved to meet all state training requirements, so once you pass the exam and background check, you can become certified. (Important: Certification is not automatic; you must pass the exam and fulfill state requirements. We prepare you well for that exam with review material and practice.)
• When do new classes start? How often is the course offered?
  We start new phlebotomy classes roughly every month. Typically, a session is 4 weeks long, and another begins shortly after the previous one finishes (with minimal downtime). For example, if a class ends in late December, a new one will often start in January. We maintain a year-round schedule to accommodate demand. Check our Upcoming Class section or contact us for specific upcoming start dates. Because start dates are frequent, you usually won’t need to wait more than a few weeks to begin once you decide to enroll.
• What if I need evening or weekend classes?
  At this time, our Victorville phlebotomy program is offered in a daytime format (morning/afternoon) only. This intensive Tuesday–Thursday schedule allows you to complete the program in just 4 weeks. We understand not everyone can attend daytime classes; if you absolutely need an alternative schedule, please let us know. MCC is actively evaluating adding evening or weekend options in the future based on student interest. For now, many students arrange their work or family schedule for one month to attend the day classes. We’ll update our website if new schedule options become available.
• How many students are in each class? Will I get enough practice?
  We intentionally limit our class sizes to about 10–15 students per instructor. This ensures each student gets extensive hands-on practice in our lab and plenty of individual attention. You will not be lost in a large lecture hall. Our smaller cohorts mean you’ll form close bonds with classmates and instructors, and you’ll have lots of opportunities to perfect your venipuncture technique on training arms and with peers before you ever touch a patient. We also often have an instructor and an assistant when the class is full, to provide a low student-to-teacher ratio.
• How much does the program cost, and do you offer financial aid?
  The total tuition is $2,035 (which includes the classes and externship). We offer an interest-free payment plan so you don’t have to pay it all upfront – most students pay a deposit and then weekly or monthly installments during the 4-week course. We also accept sponsored funding (WIOA, etc.) and VA benefits, which can cover the cost if you qualify. Because our program is short-term, federal financial aid (Pell grants or federal loans) does not apply here. However, the cost is kept affordable and many students either pay via our no-interest plan or secure local workforce scholarships. There are no hidden costs; we will explain all expenses before you enroll. If you have concerns about paying for the program, talk to us – we’re committed to helping students find a way.
• Will you help me find a job after I get certified?
  We provide career services and job placement assistance for all graduates, which includes help with résumés, interview coaching, and sharing local job leads. Many local employers know our school and periodically send us job openings, which we pass on to alumni. While we cannot guarantee employment (no school can – it depends on your effort, interview, and openings), we have a strong track record of graduates securing jobs in the field. The majority of MCC phlebotomy graduates who actively seek employment find positions in hospitals, labs, or clinics within a few months of certification. Our 15+ years in healthcare education and network in the community are resources we extend to you as you start your job search‍. We’re your partner even after graduation.

Have other questions? We’re happy to answer them. Call or email us anytime, and our staff will provide honest, clear answers so you can make an informed decision.