The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) credential is a Canadian specialty certification designed for regulated healthcare professionals who demonstrate advanced competency in peripheral and central vascular access, IV therapy management, integrated phlebotomy practice, and safe administration principles aligned with Canadian clinical standards.

Membership fees: CAD 129.00* + TAX

Member Exam fees: CAD 549.00* + TAX

Non-Member Exam fees: CAD 829.00* + TAX

*All fees are subject to change without notice

*Fees are subject to change and does not include applicable taxes.

Location: Mississauga, ON

Exam Date: November 28, 2026

Enrollment – Open

To write the Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a current member of the Canadian Phlebotomy Technicians Group Inc. (CPTG)
• Must have completed a diploma or degree in a regulated healthcare profession in Canada whose scope of practice includes IV therapy and vascular access procedures.
• Must have successfully completed a training program from a CPTG-affiliated college or institution.

OR

• Must have a minimum of 6 months of relevant clinical work experience, including:
  • At least 30 IV catheter insertions, dressings and removals
  • Connecting, monitoring, and discontinuing IV infusions
  • Connecting, assessing and monitoring blood transfusions
  • Initiating gravity infusions and accurately calculating drip rates
  • At least 25 venipunctures
  • At least 10 capillary (finger stick) collections
    (All experience must be verified by the employer)

• Must be a regulated healthcare professional in Canada whose scope of practice includes IV therapy and vascular access procedures.
  • Examples include, but are not limited to:
    • Registered Nurses (RNs)
    • Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs)
    • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPNs)
    • Paramedics
    • Physician Assistants (PAs)
    • Naturopathic Doctors
    • Pharmacists
    • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
    • Dentist

Candidates must meet all eligibility criteria, including appropriate professional education, IV therapy within their scope of practice, and compliance with provincial regulations and employer policies. All qualifications and clinical experience will be formally verified prior to exam approval.

Internationally educated healthcare professionals may be eligible to write the Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS ) exam through a credential and experience assessment process.

Candidates who have completed their education and gained clinical experience outside of Canada will be evaluated based on:

• Academic credentials (degree/diploma)
• Relevant clinical work experience
• Scope of practice alignment with IV therapy and vascular access

If you are new to Canada and hold qualifications in a healthcare discipline (e.g., nursing, paramedicine, physician or related field), you may request an eligibility review.

To apply for assessment:
Please contact info@mycptg.ca

Important Information

• Education and experience obtained outside of Canada do not automatically qualify candidates for the CPVS certification exam
• All credentials must undergo formal review and verification
• Candidates must demonstrate that their scope of practice includes IV therapy and vascular access
• Applicants may be required to:
  • Complete additional training through a CPTG-affiliated institution, and/or
  • Provide documentation from recognized credential assessment services

The purpose of this process is to ensure all candidates meet Canadian standards for safe clinical practice prior to certification.

World Education Services (WES)
Website: www.wes.org/ca
Tel: 1 -800-361-6106
Contact WES

The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS ) exam is developed using a rigorous, evidence-based methodology to ensure it is valid, reliable, defensible, and reflective of advanced clinical practice in vascular access, IV therapy, and phlebotomy.

The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) exam is an advanced certification designed to assess enhanced competency for regulated healthcare professionals whose scope includes vascular access and IV therapy.

The Board of Directors appoints certified Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to serve on exam development panels. These SMEs are currently practicing professionals with advanced expertise in vascular access, IV therapy, and phlebotomy.

The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) exam is developed in accordance with recognized psychometric and testing standards, ensuring a defensible assessment of advanced clinical competency.

Key components include:

• Content Validity (Blueprint Alignment):
  The exam content is systematically mapped to a comprehensive exam blueprint, derived from practice analysis to ensure representation of real-world clinical competencies
• Construct Validity:
  The exam measures higher-order competencies including clinical judgment, application, and decision-making, appropriate for post-entry certification
• Reliability (Score Consistency):
  Statistical methods are used to ensure consistency and stability of scores across administrations
• Standard Setting (Cut Score Methodology):
  Passing scores are established using the Modified Angoff method to define the minimum acceptable level of competence for advanced practice
• Item Analysis & Performance Metrics:
  Each exam item undergoes statistical evaluation, including:
  • Difficulty index
  • Discrimination index
  • Distractor analysis
    Items that do not meet psychometric standards are revised or removed
• Equating & Ongoing Calibration (where applicable):
  Exam forms are reviewed to maintain consistency in difficulty and scoring standards over time
• Bias & Fairness Review:
  All items are reviewed to ensure they are free from cultural, linguistic, or systemic bias, supporting equitable assessment .

The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) examination undergoes continuous evaluation to ensure it remains:

• Reflective of current and evolving clinical practice standards
• Psychometrically sound and defensible
• Consistent with regulatory, professional, and patient safety expectations

The Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) exam consists of two components:

1. Theory Exam (Online)

• 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Developed by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who are active professionals in vascular access and phlebotomy practice.
• Content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current clinical practices

• • Passing Requirement: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 75%
  • Language Requirement:
    • The exam is administered in English only
    • Use of translation tools (e.g., Google Translate or similar platforms) is strictly prohibited and will result in a failed attempt

2. Practical Exam (In-Person – OSCE)

• The practical exam is conducted using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format to assess hands-on competency.
• Key Features:
  • Objective:
    Standardized tasks and scoring to ensure fair and consistent evaluation of clinical competence
  • Structured:
    Candidates are provided with specimen collection and IV therapy requisitions and complete tasks based on simulated healthcare settings (e.g., hospital, diagnostic lab, long-term care, clinic)
  • Clinical:
    Candidates are assessed on real-world skills, including but not limited to:
    • Blood collection using vacutainer, butterfly, and syringe methods
    • IV catheter insertions, dressings, patency and removals
    • Connecting, monitoring, and discontinuing IV infusions
    • Initiating gravity infusions and accurately calculating drip rates
    • Patient interaction, safety, and clinical judgment
  • Evaluation:
    Developed by SMEs and assessed by licensed healthcare professionals using standardized scoring tools

• • Passing Requirement: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 85%

Final Certification Requirement: To earn the CPVS designation, candidates must successfully pass both: Theory Exam and Practical Exam

Failure to meet the required passing score in either component will result in unsuccessful certification.

A modified Angoff standard setting procedure was used to determine the cut score (pass rate) for Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) exam. The modified Angoff procedure is considered an examination-centered methodology. It is examination-centered as panelists focus their attention on the content of examination items. Panelists are trained to consider a select group of examinees, termed “target candidates” or “minimally-competent candidates”. A minimally-competent candidate can be thought of as a candidate who just meets the minimal performance level of interest. These item level judgments are then aggregated to determine the panel’s recommended pass mark. Passing scores are established using the Modified Angoff method to define the minimum acceptable level of competence for advanced practice.

Setting the pass mark for an Exam is setting a standard of performance on which decisions will be made about an individual’s level of competence in the field of Phlebotomy and Vascular Access practice.

• Candidates can resit for the exam if a required grade is not obtained.
• Candidates willing to resit the exam must submit a new application and associated certification exam fees must be paid.
• Exam-takers should note that there is no discount on certification exam fees for retakes.

• Please download and complete the application form given at the end of this page
• Please do not add any credit card details to the form.
• Ensure the complete application is submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the exam date.
• After submission, please allow 2-3 business days to process your application.
• Please submit any special accommodation request along with your application.
• You must provide proof of eligibility to write the certification exam.
• Once your documents are verified, you will receive an email confirming your eligibility to sit for the exam.

Canadian Phlebotomy Technicians Group Inc. (CPTG) certification provides assurance to employers and the public of competent, knowledgeable and skilled Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist (CPVS) who meets Canadian Standards. Our certification provides individuals with increased employment opportunities as a Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS).

• Upon successful completion of the examination both theory and practical, the professional title of Certified Advanced Phlebotomy and Vascular Access Specialist™ (CPVS) is awarded.
• Certification is the process by which CPTG grants recognition of competence to an individual.
• The CPVS credential validates that an individual is certified and has met Canadian standards as well as continuing education requirements in Phlebotomy and Vascular Access. Successful candidates will be able to display the initial “CPVS” after their names.

• Be a member in good standing with CPTG
• For certification to remain valid, members will need to submit their CE and annual fees
• If certification expires, a new exam will need to be retaken to continue using the CPVS title.
• Certification is valid from January 1^stto December 31^st each year.