Wondering about pharmacy technician certification? A pharmacy technician plays an important role in the health care system. Tasked with assisting the primary pharmacist in the dispensing and inventory of medications, a technician is also informed regarding current drugs and the conditions in which theyre used.
This is why it isnt surprising that certification for pharmacy technicians is regulated by the country, much less the State. Certification is required before a technician can practice, and its taken after successfully completing a two year course.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
The PTCE is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and is conducted on a scheduled basis. Other than passing the PTCE however, other requirements for certification include:
* A high school diploma or its equivalent
* Compliance with all the certification policies set by PTCB
* Full disclosure with regards to State Board of Pharmacy registration
Note that some candidates may be disqualified from Certification in the presence of any of the following:
* Any criminal conduct
* State Board of Pharmacy licensure or registration action involving the applicant
* Any violation of the certification policy
* Violations of the provisions in the Code of Conduct
PTCB may deny certification at their discretion. Denial however, is on a case to case basis and is thoroughly studied before a decision is made by the board.
Application Process
The application process is quick and easy, thanks to the Internet. Youll have to pay $129 in order to take the exam, after which a schedule will be made.
The test itself takes about 2 hours to complete and contains 90 questions, all of which are multiple-choice. The contents and scoring of the exam are as follows:
* Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients (66 percent)
* Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems (22 percent)
* Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice (12 percent)
Those who want to experience practice exams may do so by purchasing the material through the PTCB website. There are also exam tutorials available that should help you find out the look and feel of the exam prior to the day.
Results of the exam will be sent later on and should not take a long time. Afterwards, the Certification will be issued to applicants who were successful in the exam.
Is Certification the Same as a License?
Certification is NOT the same as licensing. Certification issued by the PTCB is at a national level and sets the minimum standards for practice. Individual states however require pharmacy technicians to undergo a licensing procedure in order to practice within the territory. The requirements for a license may or may not include a PTCB certification.
Hence, its usually a good idea to first have your Certificate before pursuing a license.
Can Disabled People Apply?
The great thing about pharmacy technicians is that they are open for all applicants. Individuals who need special accommodations to take the test will be provided with what they need. However, its necessary to communicate this need to the examiners before the exam to ensure that everything is prepared.
Schedule your pharmacy technician certification exam as soon as possible to boost your eligibility for employment.