How to Get a Pharmacy Tech License

The process of getting licensed as a pharmacy tech varies from state to state, but there are some general steps that all states require.

First, you’ll need register with your state’s board of pharmacy and complete an accredited training program. Once you’ve completed your training program, you’ll then need to pass the national certification exam before finally being able to obtain your license!

After that’s all taken care of though, staying up-to-date on continuing education requirements is key to maintaining good standing with your state board of Pharmacy—but we’ll cover all that later down below too!

Table of Contents:

Complete a Pharmacy Technician Training Program

A pharmacy technician training program is the first step to becoming a licensed pharmacy technician.

After completing a pharmacy technician program, graduates are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Choose Between the CPhT and PTCB Certifications

There are a few different types of pharmacy technician certifications available.

The most popular are the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Both of these certifications require passing an exam and have different requirements for eligibility.

The CPhT certification is administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).

To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a pharmacy technician training program, and have at least 1 year of work experience as a pharmacy technician.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 4 hours. The PTCB certification is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have completed a pharmacy technician training program or have at least 2 years of work experience as a pharmacy technician.

The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours.

Both the CPhT and PTCB certifications are nationally recognized and will allow you to work as a pharmacy technician in any state. Some states may have additional requirements, such as a background check or fingerprinting.

If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, contact your local community college or vocational school to inquire about pharmacy technician training programs.

Key Takeaway: To become a pharmacy technician, you need to complete a pharmacy technician training program and pass an exam.

Get Registered With Your State’s Board of Pharmacy

If you want to become a pharmacy technician, you will need to get registered with your state’s Board of Pharmacy. This process can vary from state to state, but generally you will need to fill out an application and pay a fee.

Once you are registered, you will be able to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Once you pass this exam, you will be a certified pharmacy technician!

Many employers prefer to hire certified pharmacy technicians, and some states require certification to work as a pharmacy technician.

Pass the National Certification Exam

This exam is administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) and is used to ensure that individuals have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively perform the duties of a pharmacy technician.

The exam consists of two parts:

A written exam and a skills assessment. To prepare for the written exam, individuals should review the NHA’s Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

This guide covers the content areas that will be tested on the exam, including medical terminology, pharmacy calculations, pharmacy law and ethics, and pharmacy operations.

The skills assessment portion of the exam tests an individual’s ability to perform the tasks of a pharmacy technician, such as measuring and compounding medications, entering patient information into a pharmacy computer system, and interacting with patients and other healthcare professionals.

To prepare for this portion of the exam, individuals can take the NHA’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Practice Test.

Once an individual has passed the national certification exam, they will need to obtain a pharmacy technician license from their state of residence.

Each state has different requirements for licensure, but most states require individuals to pass a criminal background check, complete an approved pharmacy technician training program, and pass a state-specific pharmacy technician exam.

Key Takeaway: To become a pharmacy technician, individuals must pass the national certification exam and obtain a pharmacy technician license from their state of residence.

Stay Up to Date on Continuing Education Requirements

If you’re a pharmacy technician, you know that continuing education is important to maintain your license. But keeping up with the latest requirements can be a challenge.

Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your CE requirements:

1. Check Your State’s Requirements.

Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Be sure to check the requirements for the state in which you are licensed.

2. Stay Organized.

Keep a list of the CE courses you’ve completed and the expiration dates for your licenses. This will help you keep track of your progress and ensure that you’re meeting all the requirements.

3. Plan Ahead.

Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your CE requirements. By planning ahead, you can make sure you have the time to take the courses you need.

4. Take Advantage of Online Courses.

Many CE courses are now offered online, which makes it easier than ever to get the education you need.

5. Get Involved in Your Professional Community.

Attend pharmacy technician meetings and conferences. This is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest CE requirements and learn about new developments in the field.

Key Takeaway: It’s important for pharmacy technicians to stay up-to-date on continuing education requirements in order to maintain their license.

Conclusion

There you have it! A quick and easy guide on how to get your pharmacy tech license.

Just remember to register with your state’s board of pharmacy, complete an accredited training program, pass the national certification exam, and stay up-to-date on continuing education requirements and you’ll be well on your way!

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