What is the Pharmacy Technician Certification? The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification is highly regarded in the pharmacy field. The PTCB is the premier certification for pharmacy technicians, and embodies a commitment to patient care and medication safety. The PTCB was established in 1995 through the collaboration of several prestigious pharmacy organizations, including the …
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification is highly regarded in the pharmacy field. The PTCB is the premier certification for pharmacy technicians, and embodies a commitment to patient care and medication safety.
The PTCB was established in 1995 through the collaboration of several prestigious pharmacy organizations, including the American Pharmacists Association and other pharmacy societies across the United States. It has the distinction of being the only nonprofit pharmacy credentialing organization in the country.
The formation of the PTCB was driven by a need to establish standardized criteria for pharmacy technicians, ensuring they are qualified to support pharmacists and provide high quality patient care. The PTCB exam certification (also called the PTCE) is now accepted in all 50 states and is the de facto “official” certification for pharmacy technicians.
Those that hold a PTCB Certification are immediately qualified to apply for Certified Pharmacy Technician positions. Holding a PTCB Certification enables individuals to work effectively within pharmacy teams across various settings while ensuring consistent standards of patient care.
Because of the high standards of the PTCB Certification, certified pharmacy technicians often earn a higher salary than their non-certified counterparts, and generally have access to more job opportunities. Furthermore, in certain states, pharmacy technicians are legally required to be certified, making the PTCB certification a necessity for those who are hoping to pursue these positions in those states.
The PTCB consistently updates its education programs to reflect any changes in current best practices to ensure the standards for patient care are as advanced as possible. If there are significant updates to the PTCB requirements, recertification is required, guaranteeing that pharmacy technicians are aware of the latest best-practice protocols.
To obtain a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification, which requires passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), there are several steps and requirements you must fulfill:
You must reside in the United States or its territories, as the certification is specific to this region.
You are required to complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program. Alternatively, if you have equivalent work experience, that can also satisfy this requirement on a case-by-case basis. This verifies that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively as a pharmacy technician and pass the exam.
You must make a full disclosure of any criminal history and any actions taken by State Boards of Pharmacy regarding your registration or licensure. This step is important for maintaining the integrity of the pharmacy technician profession. Failure to report criminal history can result in your certification being taken away.
In addition to these steps, you must also comply with all PTCB Certification policies. These policies cover various aspects of conduct and the ethical standards expected of a pharmacy technician.
Finally, you must achieve a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). This exam assesses your knowledge and skills in areas relevant to pharmacy technician practice that were gained through education programs and/or equivalent work experience, ensuring that certified individuals are competent and prepared to support pharmacists in different settings.
By meeting these criteria and successfully passing the PTCE, you will earn your PTCB Certification.
There are no membership fees for becoming a PTCB or getting your PTCB certification.
The cost for taking the PTCE, the PTCB certification exam, is $129. If an application is returned for correction due to errors, incomplete information, or any other inadequate information, there is a $10 nonrefundable reprocessing fee.
To verify your PTCB Certification, visit the following link on the PTCB website: https://www.ptcb.org/verify-certification. Enter your information into the search engine, and your name should appear if you have taken the PTCB Certification Exam in the past. Once you find your name, you will be able to view your certification status. If you cannot find your name, contact the PTCB support line to find out what is going on.
