California Phlebotomists: As of January 1, 2026, Lab Field Services (LFS) has indicated that phlebotomists are now required to complete 3 contact hours of continuing education every year. However, we are hearing from phlebotomists that when they go to renew their license, LFS is still requiring 6 hours. For this reason, before taking this course, please check your license renewal requirements to confirm how many hours you need for your specific license type and renewal situation.  For official renewal information, please visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/pages/personnel-renewal.aspx

To help you meet the annual continuing education requirement, our former 6-hour course has been divided into two separate 3-hour sections (Section A and Section B). This structure allows phlebotomists who only need 3 hours to complete one section this year and use the other section to meet next year’s requirement. 

If your requirement is 6 hours: Please complete both sections.

If your requirement is 3 hours: please complete Section A for your 2026 renewal period and Section B prior to your 2027 renewal date. Do not complete both sections in the same renewal period, as continuing education hours cannot be carried over to a future renewal period.

Please note that this course was designed specifically for phlebotomists. Phlebotomists licensed in California or Louisiana may complete this course for their renewal. No continuing education credit will be awarded to medical technologists/clinical laboratory scientists for completing this course.