Pharmacy Technician Certification

A pharmacy technician isn't a pharmacist and doesn't have the full duties of one but works under their supervision and performs many of the same tasks that a full-fledged pharmacist does. For instance, a pharmacy technician can prepare prescriptions for a patient and mix multiple drugs together to fit the needs of an individual's prescription. To become a certified pharmacy technician (or CPhT), you must undergo pharmacy technician certification.

How do you obtain pharmacy technician certification? First, you must have some sort of education, though a degree beyond high school, while helpful, is not necessarily required. (Specific requirements vary by locality, so check with local licensing authorities to be sure that you have what you need to qualify for your pharmacy technician certification.) There are two accredited bodies that can then give you an exam that will grant you pharmacy technician certification:

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): PTCB offers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT): The ICPT offers the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

You can apply for the PTCE exam at the PTCB's Web site. Test centers are widely available to make it easier for you to achieve pharmacy technician certification. You must renew your certification every two years. Twenty hours of continuing education are required to recertify.

You can apply for the ExCPT exam at the ICPT Web site. Requirements for the exam differ by state, so check with your local authorities or at the institute's Web site.

Last Updated: 02/25/2013