The profession of pharmacy technician offers a direct entry point into the healthcare industry, supporting licensed pharmacists in providing safe and effective medication delivery to patients. Achieving national certification, often designated as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), is the established path for professional advancement and recognition. This certification process serves as a standardized measure of competency, ensuring technicians possess the knowledge required to perform their duties accurately and safely. This guide details the steps required to attain and maintain this credential.
Defining the Role and the Importance of Certification
A pharmacy technician works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, performing technical and administrative functions. Core responsibilities include preparing and dispensing medications, such as measuring, counting, labeling, and packaging prescriptions. Technicians are also responsible for managing inventory, which includes stocking shelves, tracking drug expiration dates, and ensuring proper storage conditions.
Certification signifies that a technician has met a national competency benchmark. It is frequently required by employers in various settings, including retail pharmacies and hospitals, and by state boards of pharmacy as a prerequisite for practice. Achieving the CPhT credential can lead to increased job opportunities and greater professional recognition.
Meeting Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before pursuing formal training or taking a national certification examination, candidates must satisfy several baseline requirements. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
A comprehensive background check is mandatory for both certification and state registration. Applicants must disclose any criminal history or previous actions taken by a State Board of Pharmacy. Felony convictions, particularly those related to drugs, may disqualify a candidate from sitting for the exam and obtaining state authorization to practice.
Selecting the Right Education and Training Pathway
Candidates have two primary pathways to establish eligibility for a national certification exam. The most common route involves completing a formal, accredited pharmacy technician training program offered by vocational schools or community colleges. These programs provide structured coursework and often include experiential rotations to prepare students for the profession.
Alternatively, applicants can qualify through on-the-job experience (OJE) gained under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. The amount of experience required varies depending on the certifying body. For instance, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires a minimum of 500 hours of verified work experience. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) requires at least 1,200 hours of supervised work experience completed within a recent time frame.
Mastering the National Certification Exam
The certification process culminates in passing a national examination offered by one of two major organizations. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), a widely recognized credential. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers an alternative credential through its Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Both exams use a multiple-choice format and cover content areas including medication knowledge, federal pharmacy law, sterile compounding, and patient safety. The PTCE is a computer-based assessment consisting of 90 questions, allotted 1 hour and 50 minutes. The NHA’s ExCPT exam has a time limit of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The application process involves submitting proof of eligibility, such as documentation of a completed training program or required work experience. Once approved, the candidate receives an authorization to test, allowing them to schedule the exam at an approved testing center or via remote proctoring. The PTCE requires a scaled score of 1,400 out of 1,600 to pass.
Securing State Licensure or Registration
National certification (CPhT) is separate from the state-level authorization required to legally practice as a technician. Every state maintains its own Board of Pharmacy, which governs the profession and requires all technicians to apply for registration, licensure, or a permit. This authorization is mandatory to obtain the legal right to work within that specific jurisdiction.
The state application process involves administrative requirements beyond presenting the CPhT certificate number. These requirements often include paying an application fee, completing a criminal background check, and submitting fingerprints. Some states also require applicants to pass a state-specific jurisprudence exam to demonstrate knowledge of local pharmacy laws.
The state board often issues an initial trainee registration that permits supervised work while the candidate completes national certification. This trainee registration is typically valid for a limited period, often two years, and cannot be renewed. Once certified, the technician must apply to transition their status to a full, registered, or licensed pharmacy technician with the state board.
Ongoing Requirements for Maintaining Certification
Maintaining the CPhT credential requires technicians to complete recertification on a regular cycle. Both the PTCB and the NHA require renewal every two years to ensure technicians remain current with evolving pharmacy practice standards. This renewal process is primarily driven by the completion of continuing education (CE) credits.
The standard requirement is 20 hours of CE during the two-year period, all related to pharmacy technician practice. Within this total, a minimum of one hour must be dedicated to pharmacy law and another hour must focus on patient safety. These CE hours must be tracked and submitted to the certifying body for verification.
State-level licensure or registration must also be renewed according to the schedule set by the local Board of Pharmacy. Technicians must separately submit the necessary paperwork, fees, and any updated background checks to the state to maintain their legal authority to practice.