A Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) works closely with pharmacists, performing tasks that do not require professional judgment, such as preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and processing insurance claims. This role is foundational to the safe and efficient operation of a pharmacy. Achieving national certification is a professional marker that demonstrates a standardized level of competency. The certification process involves meeting several prerequisites, completing training, passing a national exam, and securing state-level authorization to practice.
Meeting the Initial Requirements
Individuals pursuing CPhT status must first meet foundational criteria before advancing to formal training or national examination. A candidate must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Education Development (GED) certificate. Most candidates are over 18 years old.
A clean legal history is also a requirement for certification and subsequent employment. Applicants must fully disclose any criminal convictions or disciplinary actions, particularly those related to controlled substances or pharmacy practice. Certifying organizations and state boards of pharmacy often mandate background checks to ensure patient safety.
Training and Education Options
Aspiring technicians have several structured pathways to gain the necessary knowledge and skills for certification. Many choose to enroll in certificate or diploma programs offered by vocational schools and community colleges. These programs provide focused instruction on pharmacology, sterile compounding, pharmacy law, and dosage calculations.
Some community colleges also offer Associate of Applied Technology degrees. A benefit of these formal programs is that many are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Programs with this accreditation meet a high standard of excellence and often simplify the eligibility process for the national exams. Employer-based training is also a viable option, offering on-the-job experience that can be applied toward the work experience eligibility pathway for certification.
Selecting and Passing the Certification Exam
The two most widely recognized paths to national certification are through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both organizations offer a Certified Pharmacy Technician credential, but they have distinct eligibility criteria for their respective exams. The PTCB administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which requires candidates to either complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or have a minimum of 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician.
The NHA offers the Examination for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). Candidates must generally complete a pharmacy technician training program or accumulate 1,200 supervised hours of pharmacy-related work experience within the past three years. Both exams cover similar content domains, including medication safety, pharmacology, pharmacy law, and the dispensing process. Once a candidate’s application is approved by the chosen certifying body, they receive an authorization to schedule the exam at a designated testing center.
The application process involves creating an account, submitting proof of eligibility, and paying the required exam fee. Preparing for the test typically involves reviewing the official content outline for the chosen exam, which details the specific knowledge areas that will be assessed. Passing the national exam is the final step in earning the CPhT status, demonstrating competency to employers across the country.
State Licensing and Registration
Achieving national certification provides the CPhT credential, but it does not automatically grant the legal right to practice in every location. Almost every state requires an additional step of licensing, registration, or permitting through its State Board of Pharmacy before a technician can begin working. This state-level authorization is separate from the national certification and ensures compliance with local laws and regulations.
The requirements for state registration vary, and technicians must research the specific regulations for the state where they intend to work. Common state requirements include submitting a formal application, paying a registration fee, and undergoing a state-specific background check and fingerprinting process. Some states may also mandate completion of an ASHP/ACPE-accredited program as a prerequisite for registration. The State Board of Pharmacy holds the authority to grant the permission to practice, and a technician cannot legally perform duties until this registration is active.
Keeping Your Certification Current
The national Certified Pharmacy Technician status must be renewed periodically to remain active. Both the PTCB and the NHA require their CPhTs to recertify every two years. The primary requirement for renewal is the completion of a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year certification period.
These CE hours must be related to the practice of a pharmacy technician. Both certifying bodies typically mandate that at least one hour of the CE must be in the subject of pharmacy law and another hour in the area of patient safety. Certificants must track their completed CE activities and submit them with their renewal application and fee before their expiration date.