Thinking About Taking The Pharmacy Technician Exam
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician you must first pass the Pharmacy Technician Exam. The pharmacy technician exam is currently being provided by two different national boards, both The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Techs (ICPT). After passing the exam through either board you will be issued the designation as a CPhT.
For the most part the Pharmacy technician exam as provided by either national certification board will provide similar information however I’ve included a short breakdown of the main categories covered by each exam.
PTCB Pharmacy Technician Exam will include:
I. Assisting the Pharmacy in Servicing Patients (66% of the exam)
II. Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems (22% of the exam)
III. Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice (12% of the exam)
ICPT Pharmacy Technician Exam will include:
I. Regulations and Technician Duties (25% of the exam)
II. Drugs and Drugs Therapy (23% of the exam)
III. Dispensing Process (52% of the exam)
To find specifics as to what is covered under each category you can check the Boards respective websites for details. Each site will list the exact details on what is provided on each pharmacy technician exam.
So why choose one national board over the other?
It’s really all up to you, and the end of the day passing either exam will lead to you obtaining your CPhT. Starting 2009 both exams are available to be taken year round. The cost of the of the Pharmacy technician exam provided by the ICPT is a little cheaper at $105 the PTCB exam comes in at $129. Both exams are now available year round and you can register for testing immediately after paying online. Also after the test is taken both exam centers will post their given results on the display screen immediately after the exam is complete. In addition to that after a couple of days you will be emailed your certificate and complete scale showing what areas you pass or failed in.
Though all states do not require certification eventually more will jump on board. If your serious about your pharmacy technician career taking the Pharmacy technician exam and becoming certified will benefit you in the future both in terms of employment and your starting pay. Even in states where this certificaiton is not required employers would prefer canditates with certification over candidates without it.
