One of the very easily reachable professions is definitely a pharmacy technician, as compared to many other medical professions, a pharmacy tech position is available to those with a high school diploma.
However, you will need to get on-the-job training which will be provided by your employer.
Whether you will need to obtain certification depends on the importance of the work you want to perform, and gaining certification can only be beneficial to you.
PTCB certification is the main certification for pharmacy technicians.
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Why Get PTCB Certification?
As we have already mentioned, certification is not necessary to get an entry-level position as a pharmacy technician, so why should you think about gaining it at all?
Well, the reason is that some employers and certain states require that a pharmacy technician has the certification to be allowed to work.
Furthermore, even if it is not required, if you possess a certification, you will stand out among other candidates for a job.
Plus, your employer may offer you a higher salary and advancement opportunities, which cannot be expected by those who do not have certification.
About PTCB Certification
PTCB certification offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is actually proof of your skills and knowledge so that you can get started or advance in your career as a pharmacy technician.
So as to reach this certification, you are only required to pass an exam after you have met eligibility requirements.
However, this is changing in 2020, and pharmacy techs will also need to complete a training program recognized by PTCB, if they cannot provide the equivalent in work experience, and also pass the exam.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) consists of questions that are designed to show your knowledge and if you pass it, you will be allowed to practice the pharmacy technician profession.
The exam can be taken on a computer at a Pearson VUE test center, which can be found all over the country.
It is a 90-question, multiple-choice exam and you will be given one hour and 50 minutes to complete it.
Then you will take part in a tutorial and post-exam survey which will last 10 minutes.
So as to get ready for the exam, you can use the Pearson VUE tutorial and official practice tools available online.
The exam content is changing in 2020 and it will include updated information.
Also, content that will be covered in a pharmacy technician training program will be removed from it.
PTCB Certification Eligibility and Application Requirements
The certification examination is allowed only to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be acquiring one within 60 days.
In 2020, they will need pharmacy tech training.
When additional documentation is in question, they will need to disclose any criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions.
If you have met the requirements, you can apply online and schedule your appointment, as well as pay $129 to apply and take the exam.
In case you do not follow PTCB certification policies, it can result in disqualification from the exam and certification.
In order to pass the PTCE, a passing score has to be achieved.
Alternative Certification
PTCB is just one option, but there are also other pharmacy tech certifications.
Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) through the National Healthcareer Association can be reached if an applicant has a high school degree or equivalent and has completed a pharmacy technician training program or has one year of qualifying work experience.
He/she needs to pass the ExCPT exam, which costs $117.
