How to Get Your Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)
If you’re thinking of a pharmacy technician career, you might want to consider the benefits of healthcare training and pharmacy technician certification. Employers typically look for candidates who have industry-relevant training. Many also prefer candidates with credentials from a recognized industry organization, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Specialized training and certification can help you become a desirable candidate for an entry-level job in a hospital or retail pharmacy.
Recent employment trends suggest there will be good career opportunities for trained pharmacy technicians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of pharmacy technicians will grow 4% from 2020 through 2030.1
According to BLS, pharmacy technician employment will grow in part because of a rising aging population that will require more prescriptions. Higher rates of chronic diseases, and more advances made in pharmaceutical research to fight those diseases, also contribute to the increase.
Pharmacy Technician Education Requirements
If you’re seeking an entry-level pharmacy technician job, one option to pursue is a healthcare training program that prepares you to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the PTCB, providing you meet the eligibility requirements.
Programs like UMA’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician associate degree program help students prepare for entry-level positions by offering flexible study online courses. Some degrees, like UMA’s, can be completed in as little as 18 months depending on each individual student. UMA’s program also includes an on-site externship for real world experience.
Training for Pharmacy Technician Certification
Licensed pharmacists depend on pharmacy technicians for many different tasks, including:
- Collecting information to fulfill prescriptions
- Preparing accurate prescription labels
- Measuring amounts of medication for prescriptions
- Processing insurance claims
- Entering customer information into the computer system
Learning these professional skills and passing the national certification exam will help graduates be qualified for entry-level pharmacy technician jobs in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order facilities and more.
What to Expect from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCE)
Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is an important milestone on your journey to becoming a pharmacy technician. Not only do many employers prefer applicants with the certification, but in many states, passing the PTCE is a prerequisite for working as a pharmacy technician.
The PTCE is a computer-based exam that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, including 10 questions that do not count toward the exam score. Candidates have one hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam, with an additional 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey. Results are based on the candidate’s answers to the 80 scored test questions. The unscored questions are not identified and are spread throughout the test.
The test is arranged into nine main knowledge areas, which include:
- Pharmacology for Technicians
- Pharmacy Law and Regulations
- Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
- Medication Safety
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance
- Medication Order Entry and Fill Process
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement
- Pharmacy Information Systems Usage and Application
Candidates who pass the exam will earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
Before you begin career training or certification preparation, it’s important to know the requirements for certification. To be eligible to take the PTCE, candidates must have no criminal conduct, no State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure action involving the candidate and no violation of the PTCE Certification policy, including but not limited to the Code of Conduct. A high school diploma or its equivalent is also required.
If you pass the PTCE, you’ll be required to recertify every two years. To maintain certification and continue using the CPhT designation, you’ll also need to complete 20 hours of continuing education within two years of certification or recertification and submit a recertification application along with the applicable fees.
Benefits of Obtaining CPhT Certification
Many employers look for candidates who are certified. The CPhT designation tells employers that you’ve met the qualifications of a national certifying association and demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to be a pharmacy technician. Earning this industry-recognized certification may increase your employment opportunities.
Additional benefits of acquiring CPhT certification include:
- It demonstrates your commitment to the healthcare field
- It’s valid throughout the U.S. and can be an important hiring requirement for many entry-level pharmacy technician positions
Applying for the PTCE’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
You can apply to take the pharmacy test certification examination on the PTCE’s portal or by calling Pearson VUE at 866‐902‐0593. Candidates will first need to create a PTCB account, and after applying will receive an email with authorization to schedule their test.
The PTCE is administered at more than 1,400 Pearson Professional Centers around the US and can also be taken online.
Renewing Your Pharm Tech Certification
Your pharmacy technician certification must be renewed every two years. This ensures that those working in the field stay on top of any changes to the industry through the continuing education required to renew. If you fail to renew your pharmacy tech national certification, you must immediately stop identifying yourself with this qualification.
What to Expect on the Exam
The Rules of The Exam
Candidates taking the exam in person must arrive at their designated testing center at least 30 minutes ahead of their appointment.
You must bring with you an approved form of identification that matches your name as stated on your PTCB account.
The pharmacy technician certification exam is a computer-based assessment with 90 multiple choice questions. It takes approximately two hours to complete.
The Material Covered on the Exam
During your pharm tech certification classes, you should receive education on the following subjects, which will be covered on the test.
- Pharmacology for Technicians
- Pharmacy Law and Regulations
- Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding
- Medication Safety
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance
- Medication Order Entry and Fill Process
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement
- Pharmacy Information Systems Usage and Application
Code of Conduct Requirements
The PCTE Code of Conduct is broken down into three areas:
- Responsibilities relating to legal requirements
- Responsibilities to PCTE/Compliance with organizational policies and rules
- Responsibilities to the public and employers
It’s vital that every aspiring pharm tech read up on this code of conduct before starting their pharmacy technician training.
Pharmacy Technician Practice PTCE and PTCB Exam Resources
Pharmacy Tech Exam Preparation
There are a variety of programs offered by community colleges and career training institutions that prepare you for the certification exam. You can choose an online or on-campus program. These programs can generally be completed in less than a year and will usually include an externship in a real-world setting.
Once your pharmacy tech education is complete, it’s time to prepare for the PTCE. The best way to do this is to revisit the topics learned during the program, and to take practice PTCB exams, which are accessible online.
Here are some links to help you prepare for the PTCB Exam:
Where to Take Practice PTCB Exams
Prepare for your pharmacy technician certification exam by taking these PCTB mock exams:
- PTCB Practice Test
- Pharmacy Math
- Pharmacy Business Math
- Pharmacy Laws and Regulations
- Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Medication Order Entry and Fill Process
- Sterile and Non-sterile Compounding
- Pharmacology for Technicians
- Pharmacy Information System Usage and Information
PTCE Exam Tips
- Use study guides and prepare by taking mock exams
- Make sure you know how to get to your test center, and arrive in good time
- If you’re taking the test online, ensure your computer is up to the task
If you want to be a pharmacy technician, then career training and certification can be important steps for you. Once you become certified, you’ll be one step closer to working as a pharmacy technician.
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Request Information
Talk with us. Start your journey.
Complete this form and we'll call you to explore options at UMA and answer your questions. We'll also email you info on how to get started. We're with you at every step!
About the Author
Christina DeBuskChristina DeBusk is a freelance writer who has been providing health and wellness content to healthcare organizations such as the American Chiropractic Association and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) since 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Michigan University, minoring in psychology. She has also earned several ISSA certifications, including Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Specialist, achieving the status of Elite Trainer.
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