Pharmacy technician certification involves taking and passing an exam that leads to receiving the title of ‘CPhT’, which stands for ‘Certified Pharmacy Technician’. Achieving pharmacy technician certification demonstrates to the awarding bodies, state pharmacy boards and future employers that CPhT title holders have proficient knowledge, ability and skills to properly assist pharmacists in the accurate and safe preparation and dispensing of controlled and uncontrolled medication.
Institutes that Provide Pharmacy Technician Certification.
Two nationally recognized institutes provide accredited pharmacy technician certification; these are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT). Each institutes certifications are recognized and accepted by most ‘state pharmacy boards’, the majority of states actually make certification mandatory for pharmacy technicians before they can work in licensed pharmacies.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Costs.
Currently, the costs of pharmacy technician certification with the certification institutes are as follows:
- PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Cost is $129.00
- ICPT Pharmacy Technician Certification Cost is $105.00
Applicants Requirements and Restrictions for the Certification Test Exam.
To take the pharmacy certification test/exam with either of the national certification institutes applicants are required to be 18 years old, have a high school degree or GED, must not have any drug/pharmacy related convictions or felony conviction and must not be denied by any state board of pharmacy. If any of these requirements are not met then it is impossible to sit the certification test or exam.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Dates.
When you take the PTCB exam, you have the option to choose the pharmacy technician certification exam dates and an exam location to suit you. It is possible to book your pharmacy technician exam date at a local testing centre of your choice online through the PTCB website and confirmation will be sent to you within 24 hours.
ICPT pharmacy technician certification exam dates are relatively easy to book and exams can be taken within 48 hours of registration. It is also possible to take an online pharmacy technician certification practice test/exam before you book your official exam dates and venue. This service is offered on the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians website, and costs $25. The practice test exam is web based and consists of 50 questions presented in the same format with similar questions that the actual pharmacy technician exam consists of.
Preparing for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician, you must prepare in advance for taking the certification exam. This means swatting up on the basics and investing your time undertaking pharmacy technician certification training. It is possible to enroll into pharmacy technician certification training programs through schools, or online courses that offer classes aimed to prepare you for the certification examination. There will be an initial outlay for pharmacy technician certification study guides as these aren’t usually available for free, and you will be advised by schools as to which pharmacy technician certification books you will require to complete the training courses.