Top 11 Certified Pharmacy Technician Certifications

Certifications are extremely important for certified pharmacy technicians in the job market. Certification gives employers confidence that a technician has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties in accordance with state and federal regulations. It also demonstrates a commitment to professional development, which is attractive to potential employers. Additionally, certification can lead to higher pay and better job opportunities as well as provide credentials for career advancement. Finally, certifications can also be used to demonstrate competency when applying for jobs or promotions within a current organization.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Certified Pharmacy Technicians and explain how they can contribute to a certified pharmacy technician's career.

What are Certified Pharmacy Technician Certifications?

Certified pharmacy technician certification is a designation that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals who are employed as pharmacy technicians. It is awarded by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) after an individual has passed the national certification exam. This certification provides assurance to employers, healthcare professionals, and patients that the individual has met the standards of knowledge and skill necessary to work safely and effectively in a pharmacy setting.

Having a certified pharmacy technician certification can help an individual advance their career in various ways. It shows employers that they have taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and training in their field, which is highly valued. Additionally, having this credential may make them more competitive when applying for jobs or promotions. Having a certified pharmacy technician certification can also provide access to higher wages or other benefits, such as tuition reimbursement or continuing education credits. Finally, having this credential can help individuals feel more confident in their abilities as they are able to demonstrate that they possess certain competencies necessary for working in a pharmacy setting.

Pro Tip: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification is a valuable asset for pharmacy technicians looking to advance their career. Be sure to research the different certifying organizations to ensure you are meeting all of the necessary requirements and passing the appropriate exams. Additionally, consider taking continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on industry best practices and regulations.

Related: What does a Certified Pharmacy Technician do?

Top 11 Certified Pharmacy Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Certified Pharmacy Technicians today.

1. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is a non-profit organization that certifies pharmacy technicians in the United States. It was established in 1995 to promote quality assurance and patient safety by providing a national certification program for pharmacy technicians.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including passing the PTCB exam. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as drug classification, dosage calculations, pharmaceutical terminology, and more. It takes about two hours to complete the exam and costs $129.

In order to be eligible for the PTCB exam, applicants must have either a high school diploma or GED equivalent, as well as at least one year of work experience as a pharmacy technician within the past three years. Applicants must also complete an approved training program or have completed an accredited college program in pharmacy technology.

Once an applicant has passed the PTCB exam, they will receive their certification within two weeks of passing the test. The certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by completing 20 hours of continuing education credits every two years.

2. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is a certification program for pharmacy technicians. This certification recognizes the knowledge and skills of pharmacy technicians who work in retail, hospital, mail-order, and long-term care settings. The CPhT credential demonstrates that the technician has met specific standards of practice and has demonstrated competency in the areas of medication safety, patient services, medication order entry/filling, inventory management, and other related areas.

To become certified as a CPhT, applicants must pass an exam administered by NHA. The exam consists of 130 multiple choice questions covering topics such as pharmacology, drug information systems, pharmacy law and regulations, sterile compounding techniques, and more. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the CPhT exam, applicants must have completed at least 400 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician within the past two years or have completed an accredited training program within the past five years. Applicants must also submit proof of their work experience or training program completion with their application.

The cost for taking the CPhT exam is $129 for NHA members or $179 for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials provided by NHA to help prepare for the exam. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your certificate and can use the CPhT designation on your resume or job applications.

3. Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT)

The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) is a non-profit organization that provides certification to pharmacy technicians. This certification demonstrates that a technician has met the standards of knowledge and skill required to practice safely and effectively in a pharmacy setting.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete the ICPT certification process. To get certified, applicants must first register online with ICPT and pay the registration fee. After registering, they must pass an exam which consists of both multiple choice and performance-based questions. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their certification card from ICPT.

The cost of ICPT certification varies depending on where you live and how you choose to take the exam. The registration fee is typically around $100, but there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations or if you need special accommodations.

4. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Technician Certification Program

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Technician Certification Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize pharmacy technicians who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the practice of pharmacy. The program is open to all pharmacy technicians, regardless of experience level, who meet the eligibility requirements.

To become certified through ASHP, pharmacy technicians must complete an application process that includes passing a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as pharmaceutical calculations, drug classifications, and quality assurance procedures. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost to apply for the certification program is $129 for ASHP members and $179 for non-members. There are also additional fees associated with the study materials and practice exams.

Once an individual has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their certification within four weeks. The certification is valid for two years, after which time it must be renewed by taking a recertification exam or completing continuing education activities related to pharmacy practice.

5. National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT)

The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) is a professional certification program for pharmacy technicians. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of pharmacy technicians in the United States.

To become certified, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam administered by the NPTA. The exam covers topics such as pharmacology, medication safety, compounding and dispensing medications, and pharmacy law and ethics.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CPT exam. You can get study materials from the NPTA website or from other sources such as books or online courses. It is also important to have some experience working in a pharmacy setting before taking the exam.

The cost of the CPT exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $100-$200 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining study materials or taking practice exams.

Once you have passed the CPT exam, you will receive a certificate that shows that you are a certified pharmacy technician. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by completing continuing education credits every two years.

6. ExCPT Exam by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

The ExCPT Exam by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is a computer-based exam designed to assess the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level pharmacy technicians. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, an international testing company.

The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within two hours. The content areas covered on the exam include: medication safety, pharmacy operations, and patient care.

To take the ExCPT Exam, you must first register with NABP. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name and address, as well as payment information for the exam fee. The cost of the exam is $129 for members of NABP or $159 for non-members. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, you will receive a confirmation email from Pearson VUE with instructions on how to schedule your test date and time at a local testing center.

The results of the ExCPT Exam are available immediately following completion of the test; however, it may take up to four weeks for NABP to process your application and issue a certificate if you pass the exam.

7. American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv.)

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv.) is a certification program that recognizes pharmacy technicians who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of pharmacy. The CPhT-Adv. is a two-level program, with the first level being the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). To become a CPhT-Adv., candidates must first complete the CPhT program and then pass an additional exam.

The CPhT-Adv. exam covers topics such as pharmacology, drug interactions, medication safety, patient counseling, and more. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working as a pharmacy technician in a retail or hospital setting.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CPhT-Adv. exam. Candidates should plan to spend time studying topics such as pharmacology, drug interactions, and patient counseling. Additionally, they should practice taking practice tests to familiarize themselves with the format of the actual exam.

To get certified as a CPhT-Adv., candidates must register for and take the APhA's CPhT-Adv. Exam offered through Pearson VUE Testing Centers. The cost of registration varies depending on location but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD per exam attempt.

8. Retail Pharmacy Academy's Certified Professional Pharmacy Technician Program

The Retail Pharmacy Academy's Certified Professional Pharmacy Technician Program is a comprehensive program designed to prepare pharmacy technicians for the industry. The program consists of online modules and hands-on training, and covers topics such as pharmacy law, pharmacology, drug interactions, customer service, and more. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Certified Professional Pharmacy Technician (CPHT).

The program takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete. During this time, students are required to complete all online modules and attend two days of hands-on training. This training includes an introduction to the pharmacy profession and practice settings, as well as instruction on compounding medications and sterile products.

To get started with the program, prospective students must first apply by submitting an application form along with their resume and transcripts. Once accepted into the program, they will receive access to the online portal where they can begin working through the modules at their own pace.

The cost of the Retail Pharmacy Academy's Certified Professional Pharmacy Technician Program is $1,295 USD. This fee covers all materials needed for successful completion of the course including textbooks and other resources.

9. The International Society of Pharmaceutical Compounding’s CPhT-I Exam

The International Society of Pharmaceutical Compounding (ISPC) CPhT-I Exam is a certification exam for pharmacy technicians who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of pharmaceutical compounding. The exam is administered by the ISPC and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. It focuses on topics such as sterile compounding, nonsterile compounding, drug calculations, pharmacology, pharmacy law and regulations, and other related topics.

The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center. To take the CPhT-I Exam, applicants must first register with the ISPC and pay a fee of $225 USD. Once registered, applicants will receive an authorization letter from the ISPC that allows them to schedule their exam appointment at a Pearson VUE testing center. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate from the ISPC within 4 weeks.

10. The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmaceutical Education’s CPhT-CA Exam

The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmaceutical Education’s CPhT-CA Exam is a national certification exam for pharmacy technicians in Canada. It is designed to assess the knowledge, skills and abilities of pharmacy technicians in order to ensure that they are competent and qualified to work in the profession. The exam consists of two parts: a written multiple-choice exam and a practical skills assessment.

The written multiple-choice exam consists of 150 questions, covering topics such as pharmacology, drug distribution systems, medication safety and quality assurance, pharmaceutical calculations, and communication. The test takes approximately three hours to complete.

The practical skills assessment tests the ability of pharmacy technicians to perform the tasks required in their job role. This includes tasks such as preparing medications, compounding medications, entering patient information into a computer system, packaging medications for dispensing and providing customer service. The practical assessment takes approximately one hour to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the CPhT-CA Exam, applicants must have completed an accredited pharmacy technician program or hold equivalent qualifications from another country or jurisdiction. Applicants must also be registered with their provincial regulatory body (where applicable).

The cost of the CPhT-CA Exam is $375 CAD plus applicable taxes. Payment must be made before taking the exam and can be done online or by mail using a credit card or cheque/money order. Once payment has been received, applicants will receive an email confirming their registration within three business days. The exam must then be taken within one year from date of registration or it will expire without refund of fees paid.

11. The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists’ CPhT-IA Exam

The International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists’ CPhT-IA Exam is a comprehensive exam designed to assess the knowledge and skills of pharmacy technicians who specialize in compounding medications. This exam is offered by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP) and is administered in partnership with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The CPhT-IA Exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, covering topics such as sterile compounding, non-sterile compounding, quality assurance, safety protocols, and patient counseling. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and must be taken at an approved testing center.

In order to take the CPhT-IA Exam, applicants must first submit an application to the IACP along with proof of their current pharmacy technician certification from either NHA or PTCB. Once the application has been approved, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam and pay the associated fees. The fee for taking the CPhT-IA Exam is $150 USD. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CPhT-IA Certification which is valid for two years.

Do You Really Need a Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. While a Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate is not always required, it may be beneficial for those who are looking to advance their careers as pharmacy technicians.

Having a Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate provides evidence of competency in the field and can give candidates an edge when competing for jobs. It also demonstrates that the candidate has taken the time to gain additional knowledge and skills beyond what is required for basic pharmacy technician roles. These extra qualifications can help lead to better job opportunities and higher pay.

For those already working as pharmacy technicians, having a Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate can open doors to more specialized positions or promotions within their organization. In addition, many employers require certification for certain positions or may offer tuition reimbursement for continuing education courses related to pharmacy technology.

In short, having a Certified Pharmacy Technician Certificate can be beneficial in terms of career advancement and job security. However, it is important to weigh the costs associated with obtaining certification against potential gains before making any decisions.

Related: Certified Pharmacy Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Certified Pharmacy Technician Certifications

1. What is a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPHT) Certification?

Answer: A Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPHT) Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities as a pharmacy technician. The certification is issued by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must pass the PTCB Exam and meet other requirements established by the PTCB. You can find more information about the requirements on their website: www.ptcb.org.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Pharmacy Technician can lead to increased job opportunities, improved job security, higher wages and greater respect in the field of pharmacy practice.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The process typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete all of the necessary steps for certification including taking and passing the PTCB Exam, submitting your application and any supporting documentation required by the PTCB, and paying any applicable fees.

5. Is recertification required?

Answer: Yes, recertification is required every two years in order to maintain your certification status with the PTCB. Recertification requires completing continuing education hours and passing an exam or completing other activities approved by the PTCB.