The role of a pharmacy technician is an increasingly important position within the healthcare system, providing direct support to licensed pharmacists. Technicians manage the technical aspects of dispensing medication, allowing pharmacists to focus on clinical duties and patient counseling. Securing employment requires navigating a two-part credentialing process: passing a national certification exam and obtaining legal authorization from the state.
Essential Prerequisites for Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
Becoming a pharmacy technician requires meeting fundamental eligibility requirements that apply across most states and certification bodies. Applicants must generally be at least 18 years of age, though some states permit registration for 17-year-olds enrolled in high school. A high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, is a universal prerequisite for training programs and national certification exams.
Due to the sensitive nature of handling controlled substances and patient information, all candidates must undergo a thorough screening process. This includes a mandatory criminal background check and often a drug screening. Certification bodies require full disclosure of any criminal history or past licensing actions taken by a state board of pharmacy. High standards of moral character and professional conduct are expected for entry into the field.
Educational Pathways for Pharmacy Technicians
Knowledge and skills are typically gained through one of three educational pathways, each balancing structure, cost, and hands-on experience. While formal education is not mandated in all states, it is often required to qualify for national certification exams, which are the industry standard. Candidates should choose a pathway that aligns with their learning style, financial situation, and the specific requirements of their state’s Board of Pharmacy.
Accredited Training Programs
Accredited training programs, offered by community colleges, vocational schools, and specialized institutions, are the most traditional and comprehensive educational route. These programs provide structured coursework and often include a mandatory externship or practical experience component. Programs accredited by organizations like the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) are considered the gold standard. Completing an ASHP/ACPE-accredited program is often preferred by hospital and health-system employers due to its standardized curriculum and required experiential training.
Employer-Based Training Programs
Major pharmacy chains and large healthcare organizations frequently offer employer-based training programs or apprenticeships. These programs combine classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training, allowing students to earn a wage while learning. The training is directly tailored to the employer’s operational needs and often leads to a job offer upon successful completion. Some states recognize these programs as sufficient training to qualify for state registration or the national certification exam.
Self-Study Options
Self-study is the least structured path, involving independent learning through textbooks, online courses, and practice exams. This option requires a high degree of personal discipline, as the candidate is responsible for structuring their own learning and covering the required body of knowledge. Self-study alone is often insufficient for exam eligibility; it is usually paired with documented work hours as a technician trainee to meet certification requirements. While cost-effective, candidates must verify that their materials and subsequent experience qualify them for the national certification exam, as some state regulations are restrictive.
Achieving National Certification
National certification is a rigorous, standardized process that demonstrates a technician’s competency and knowledge base. The two primary organizations offering certification are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both certifications lead to the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation, but they have slight variations in exam structure and eligibility pathways. Passing one of these exams is frequently a prerequisite for state licensure and is highly valued by employers.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
The PTCB administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which is widely recognized across the nation. The PTCE is a two-hour, computer-based exam consisting of 90 multiple-choice questions, 80 of which are scored. The content is divided into four main knowledge domains: medications, federal requirements, patient safety and quality assurance, and order entry and processing. Eligibility requires completing a PTCB-recognized education or training program, or accruing a minimum of 500 hours of documented work experience as a pharmacy technician.
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
The NHA offers the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), an alternative route to the CPhT credential. The ExCPT is a computer-based exam consisting of 120 multiple-choice questions, with 100 questions counting toward the final score. Candidates are given two hours and ten minutes to complete it. Content areas cover the dispensing process, pharmacy laws and regulations, drugs and drug therapy, and medication safety. Eligibility requires either completing an NHA-approved training program within the last five years or a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy work experience within the last year.
The State Licensure and Registration Process
After achieving national certification, the final mandatory step is obtaining legal authorization to practice from the state’s regulatory body, typically the State Board of Pharmacy (BOP). This state-level process grants the legal permission to work. The terminology for this authorization varies by state and may be called a “licensure,” “registration,” or “permit.”
The application process requires submitting the necessary forms to the BOP, often online, and paying the state fees. A common component of this application is the submission of fingerprints for a comprehensive state and federal criminal background check. Many states require applicants to submit proof of their national certification, such as the PTCB or NHA certificate number, directly to the Board of Pharmacy as a condition of receiving state registration.
Because regulations differ significantly by jurisdiction, candidates must consult the specific Board of Pharmacy website for the state where they intend to practice. Some states may require additional training, a state-specific exam, or completion of a certain number of hours in an approved program, even if the technician holds national certification. The application review period can take several weeks, and the technician cannot legally begin working until the state board issues the active registration or license.
Maintaining Your Credentials
Maintaining an active status as a practicing pharmacy technician requires the ongoing renewal of both the national certification and the state registration. The renewal cycle for national certification through both the PTCB and the NHA is typically every two years. To qualify for renewal, certified technicians must complete a specified number of Continuing Education (CE) credits.
Both national certification bodies generally require 20 hours of approved CE credits during the two-year renewal period. A minimum number of these credits must be dedicated to pharmacy law and patient safety topics. State registration renewal is also periodic; while some states mandate their own CE hours, many rely on the maintenance of national certification to satisfy the continuing education requirement. Failure to complete the required CE credits results in the lapse of national certification and the immediate loss of the technician’s state licensure, making them unable to practice legally.