A Simple Guide To Pharmacy Technician Certification

Pharmacy technicians have an important role in pharmacy practice. Ensuring patient safety and enhancing patient care are only two of the many valuable contributions made by pharmacy technicians. Pharmacists rely on technicians to help maintain the high quality of health care that is expected of the profession. Often, pharmacy technicians are the face of the pharmacy, interacting frequently with patients and helping develop customer loyalty. Pharmacy technicians who possess a comprehensive understanding of pharmacy practice are well sought after and are a valuable asset in pharmacy practice.
Certification is the process of granting recognition to an individual who has met predetermined qualifications. The CPhT designation is given to an individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to function as a pharmacy technician. Individuals prove that they have the necessary skills by passing either one of two national examinations: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). The PTCE is provided by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board; the ExCPT is offered by the National Healthcareer Association.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is responsible for ensuring that pharmacy technicians meet predetermined standards that convey competency in the field of pharmacy. In order to become a certified pharmacy technician, interested candidates need to apply for certification through the PTCB website, http://ptcb.org/. In order to qualify for certification, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Candidates should also check with their State Board of Pharmacy for additional certification and registration requirements.
- Have a high school diploma or an equivalent educational diploma (i.e., a GED or a foreign diploma)
- Provide full disclosure of all criminal actions and all State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
- Be in compliance with all applicable PTCB certification policies
- Receive a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)

The pharmacy technician must also attest to one of the following:
1.Completion of a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician education/training program
OR
2.Equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician (for a minimum of 500 hours)
Note: Candidates who have completed a pharmacy degree may instead submit proof of that degree for consideration in place of completing a pharmacy technician education/training program.

PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program Verification
Candidates who are within 60 days of completing a PTCB-recognized education/training program are eligible to apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. All candidates must provide proof of education/training completion before certification can be granted. Examples of acceptable documentation include a certificate of completion, an official letter from the program provider, an unofficial transcript, or a diploma. The document should include the name of the education/training program, the name of the candidate, and the date of completion.

Work Experience Verification
Experienced pharmacy technicians who have not completed a PTCB-recognized education/training program will attest to having completed at least 500 hours of pharmacy work experience when applying for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The employer-based training program must meet the same knowledge requirements as PTCB-recognized education/training programs. The candidate will be required to identify all employers that provided training and indicate the employer’s name and address, the supervisor’s name, the phone number, the start and end dates, and the type of position held.

What Is The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a computer-based, 90-question, multiple-choice exam given over a 2-hour time frame. Of that time, 1 hour and 50 minutes are allotted for the actual test. The remaining 10 minutes are for a tutorial and a post-exam survey. Eighty out of the 90 questions are scored, and 10 questions are unscored. Test takers will not be able to differentiate between the scored and unscored questions because the unscored questions are randomly distributed throughout the exam. Each question will have four possible answers, of which only one is correct.

Test Content
The most recent PTCE blueprint went into effect in January 2020. As per this latest blueprint, test questions are determined based on knowledge comprehension in four knowledge domains, covering 26 knowledge areas.

This Table lists the four knowledge domains. 

PTCE Knowledge Domains and Test Content:

The PTCE is structured into four knowledge domains:
1. Medications
2. Federal Requirements
3. Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
4. Order Entry and Processing

- The Medications domain comprises 40% of the exam, making it the largest portion of the PTCE. This knowledge domain focuses on the following:
- Generic and brand names of medications
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal or dietary supplements
- Indications (the use of a drug to treat a particular disease)
- Interactions
- Contraindications
- Common and severe side effects
- Prescribed dosages, dosage forms, and routes of administration
- Therapy duration
- Proper storage
 

The Federal Requirements domain comprises 12.5% of the PTCE, and includes important regulations and standards that have influenced the practice of pharmacy. Questions in this knowledge domain include the following:
- Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous substances
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requirements for controlled substances
- Transferring prescriptions
- Documentation requirements
- Ordering, receiving, and returning processes
- Reporting a loss or theft
- FDA recall requirements
- Restricted-drug program requirements

The Patient Safety and Quality Assurance domain comprises 26.25% of the PTCE, and includes the following:
- Medication safety
- Error-prone abbreviations
- Look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medications
- High-alert/high-risk medications
- Error prevention and reporting
- Cleaning standards and hygiene practices

The Order Entry and Processing domain constitutes 21.25% of the exam. Questions in this knowledge domain test the following:
- Processes for compounding non-sterile products
- Lots numbers and expiration dates
- National Drug Code (NDC) numbers
- Equipment and supplies needed for drug administration
- Appropriate prescription package types
- Calculation knowledge is required to interpret prescriptions, understand abbreviations, and calculate the following:
- Doses
- Concentration and dilutions
- Ratio and proportions
- Days’ supply

Candidates receive scores that range from 1,000 to 1,600. A passing score is 1,400.


Tip:
Since you won’t know which questions are scored and which are unscored, do your best on every question!


2. Preparing for the Exam and Steps for Recertification:

Preparing for the Exam and Steps for Recertification

1.One option is to visit http://ptcb.org/ and take a practice exam provided by the PTCB:
- The official PTCB practice exam reflects the latest testing blueprint. There is one version of this practice exam, and all questions are aligned with current standards. The format is similar in functionality and mirrors the look of the official examination. The practice exam allows candidates to become familiar with the test and the testing environment. Once purchased, the test must be completed within 90 days.
- A fee of $29 is required to take the exam.
- A count of correct items will be provided once the exam is submitted. A 24-hour post-exam review period is also available to candidates within the 90-day window. There is an option to review all questions and solutions or just specific solutions.

2.Another option allows candidates to become familiar with the testing atmosphere via a testing tutorial:
- Visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/athena/athena.asp to download a simulated practice exam and participate in a testing tutorial.
- The computerized testing tutorial allows users to navigate through the testing process. Users will have access to a sample, nonspecific, content-based exam where they can get a feel for the test-taking process.
- The tutorial explains how to answer questions, change answers, and review questions.

Remember these general rules:
- Review the PTCB blueprint to provide yourself with a basis about what you are expected to know.
- Review concepts that you need to understand better.
- Make a study timeline over several weeks or months. Stick to it!
- Test your knowledge by practicing how to answer test questions.
- Be confident in your abilities!

Tip:
After reviewing the exam material and scheduling your test date, be sure to get adequate sleep the night before the examination!

Exam Day
Candidates should arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time in order to check in. Pearson VUE testing centers require you to bring positive proof of identification that matches your name as it appears in your PTCB account. Identification must be valid, unexpired, and government-issued. Examples of proper identification can be found on the PTCB website and include:
- A passport
- A government-issued driver’s license
- A government-issued driving learner’s permit
- A military ID
- A permanent resident card
- A U.S. Department of Homeland Security-issued employment authorization card

The test center may provide lockers for the storage of personal items; be aware that this varies by location. Items brought to the test center are not allowed in the secure testing area. Examples of personal items include purses, wallets, and cell phones. You may not study in, or bring visitors into, the test center.
After the testing assistant has checked you in and verified your authorization to take the exam, you will be escorted to the testing area. You will be given materials on which to take notes or make calculations as needed and as allowed by the PTCB. A calculator is available to candidates on the computer screen, but a physical calculator may also be requested. You must return all materials to the testing assistant upon completion of your exam. You will then be logged in to the testing computer to begin your exam. Candidates are monitored during the examination and may be recorded.
The PTCE has a maximum time allotment of 110 minutes (1 hour and 50 minutes). If you choose to take a break, you must alert the testing assistant by raising your hand. The time will not stop during the unscheduled break, so be aware that time will continue to run down if you do require a break.

Tip:
The following comfort items are provided by the testing center and may be requested by the candidate: ear plugs, noise-canceling headphones, and tissues.

After the Exam
After completing the exam, you will receive an unofficial score on your computer screen. The test center will also provide you with an unofficial printed copy of the test results. You will have access to your official score report online approximately 3 weeks after your exam. Scores are not given via e-mail, phone, or U.S. mail.
Active PTCB-certified pharmacy technicians may request a certificate and a wallet-sized card (printed on fine paper) for a cost of $15 with a turnaround time of 3–4 weeks. Test takers will also have access to an official downloadable certificate by logging in to their account. After successfully passing the PTCE, candidates are eligible to use the certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) designation immediately following their name.
You may also request for a test to be hand scored by downloading a “Hand Score Request Form” and submitting a $50 fee to the PTCB. These requests must be completed within 30 days of taking the exam. Results are provided in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Candidates are allowed four attempts to take the PTCE. They must wait 60 days before applying for the second and third attempts and 6 months before applying for the fourth attempt.

Recertification
The CPhT credential will remain active for a period of 2 years. In order to maintain certification, every CPhT certificant must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education (CE), sometimes referred to as continuing pharmacy education (CPE), during each 2-year recertification cycle. Continuing education is an educational activity that is designed or intended to support the continuing education development of pharmacy technicians in order to maintain or enhance competency. The recertification cycle begins on the day that the certification or recertification is awarded to the certificant. The CE hours do not carry over to the next recertification cycle.

CPhT certificants must meet the following requirements to maintain their certification:
- They must complete a minimum of 20 hours of pharmacy technician CE during a 2-year recertification period.
- They must create an e-profile ID through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) via https://nabp.pharmacy/ and include their PTCE certification number. The CPE Monitor is used to track CPE credits through a centralized system. Eventually, any CE that you enter into the CPE Monitor will automatically be recorded in your PTCB account.

Of the 20 CE hours that recertification candidates must complete:
- 1 hour of CE must be on pharmacy law (pharmacy technician-specific subject matter).
- 1 hour of CE must be on patient safety (pharmacy technician-specific subject matter).
- A maximum of 10 hours may be earned from taking an approved college course and earning a grade of “C” or better.

Examples of continuing education providers include:
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (https://www.acpe-accredit.org/)
- American Association of Pharmacy Technicians™ (www.pharmacytechnician.com/)
- American Pharmacists Association® (www.pharmacist.com/)
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (www.ashp.org/)
- Drug Store News (www.drugstorenews.com/)
- FreeCE (www.freece.com/)
- National Community Pharmacists Association (https://ncpa.org/)
- National Pharmacy Technician Association (http://www.pharmacytechnician.org/)
- PharmacyTechCE (http://www.pharmacytechce.org/)
- Pharmacy Technician’s Letter™ (http://pharmacytech.therapeuticresearch.com/)
- Pharmacy Times® (http://www.pharmacytimes.com/)
- PowerPak C.E.® (http://www.powerpak.com/)
- U.S. Pharmacist® (http://www.uspharmacist.com/)
- State pharmacy associations

Recertification may be completed through your PTCB account via an online application and payment of a $49 recertification fee. Applications for recertification can be made 60 days prior to the certification expiration date but must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the certification expiration date.

Reinstatement
In the event that a PTCB certificant fails to recertify by his or her certification expiration date, he or she will no longer be considered PTCB certified. In that case, the pharmacy technician may apply for reinstatement of his or her certification within 1 year of the original expiration date. A reinstatement fee of $89 will also be charged. Of the 20 CE hours that reinstatement candidates must complete, 2 hours must be on pharmacy law (pharmacy technician-specific subject matter) and 1 hour must be on patient safety (pharmacy technician-specific subject matter). A maximum of 10 hours may be earned by completing a relevant college course with a grade of “C” or better.