Earning Your National Certification
In order to become a practicing pharmacy technician, you must be certified by the state in which you are working. However, many pharmacy technicians also choose to become nationally certified. National certification is required by some positions, but for most technicians it just shows a dedication to their job, and it serves as an excellent addition to their resumes.
For highly desirable positions, national certification can give you an edge during the hiring process. Because the national certification exam is an extra test of skills and reasoning ability, it not only looks good on your resume, but shows potential employers that you are willing to go above and beyond normal requirements.
The Process
The process for earning national certification is simple. There are two programs that offer national certification exams, the Institute of Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The ICPT offers the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (also known as the ExCPT), and PTCB offers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (also known as the PTCE).
Upon passing either exam you will become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, and can officially incorporate the CPhT designation as part of your title. Beware, however. In some states, it does matter which test you take. Some states only accept the ExCPT, whereas others prefer the PTCE, and some states accept both. There are also differences in test content, price, and score reporting. To help you decide, here is a breakdown of the two tests.
Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
To take the ExCPT, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You must have no previous felony convictions, and you must never have had your pharmacy technician license revoked or placed under any restriction.
The ExCPT consists of 110 multiple choice questions that cover regulations and technician duties; drugs and drug therapies; and the dispensing process. The test is computerized, although accommodations can be made for those who have learning or testing disabilities. Test results are printed upon completion of the test, and those who have passing scores will receive an official certificate in the mail within four weeks.
To schedule a test, call 1-800-211-2754. This hotline will direct you to the nearest testing center (which can be found at LaserGrade) and reserve your spot at the testing center. Exams can usually be taken 24 to 48 hours after a reservation is made. The ExCPT costs $105.
Study materials are available online. A National Pharmacy Tech Training Manual can be purchased from the ICPT website for $82. There are also practice exams available for $25 here.
National certification through ICPT must be renewed every two years. To become recertified, you must fill out a recertification form and pay the $40 fee if you are reapplying online or $50 if you are reapplying by mail. Reinstatement requires a form and an $80 fee. Forms can be found here.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
To take the PTCE, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You must have no previous felony convictions, and you must never have had your pharmacy technician license revoked or placed under any restriction.
The PTCE consists of 90 multiple choice questions. The first 10 questions are personal and not graded. The remaining 80 questions cover such topics as assisting the pharmacist and serving patients; maintaining medication and inventory control; and administration and management. The test is computerized, although accommodations can be made for those who have learning or testing disabilities. Your results can be printed upon completion of the test, and a certificate for those who received passing scores will be mailed within three weeks.
You can apply online for the test on the PTCB website, or request a paper application. Reservations can be made 365 days a year and exams are given almost continuously throughout the year. Following online application, or verification of the paper application, you must take the exam within 90 days. An exam center will be assigned to you during the application process, or you can find a testing site online here. The PTCE costs $129.
Three practice exams are available online for $29 at the PTCB website. National certification through PTCB must be renewed every two years. To become recertified, or reinstated if you allowed your license to lapse, you must fill out a recertification/reinstatement form and pay an $80 fee. Forms are also available at the PTCB website.