How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

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Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT) – When you hear this term, what comes to your mind?

You might be thinking that you have heard about a Pharmacy Technician before, but what is a Certified Pharmacy Technician?

Yes, there is a difference between a Pharmacy Technician and a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

As a certified pharmacy technician, you have so much in your basket. You become a member of the pharmacy team, where you see yourself as a supportive and inseparable part of the healthcare industry.

In this article, you will get a detailed roadmap to becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

So, if you are passionate about the healthcare industry, sit back, ready your mind for a wealth of knowledge, and join us on this informative journey to learn more about a certified pharmacy technician.

What is a Certified Pharmacy Technician?

When we talk about a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT), it means that an individual has successfully passed the exam from a nationally recognized board such as PTCB and has met the necessary requirements to work as a pharmacy technician.

Know more: How To Become a Pharmacy Technician

The exam conducted by PTCB evaluates knowledge and skills related to pharmacy practice.

The PTCB conducts a CPhT exam, and once you clear that you become a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
Read more: Pharmacy Technician Job Description

How to Get a Pharmacy Technician Certification?

Till now, you have understood what a certified Pharmacy technician is and its necessary requirements.

To get a Pharmacy Technician certification, you have to follow various steps sequentially. Below are the steps that will help you to get a detailed understanding of how to get the Pharmacy Technician certification.

1. Make sure you have your high school diploma

Getting certified will surely demand a minimum education that you must have completed. Don’t worry, as the minimum requirement is just a high school diploma.

If you are looking to start your career as Certified Pharmacy Technician, then you must complete your high school diploma to be eligible to enroll in a Pharmacy Technician certification program.

2. Enroll in Pharmacy Technician Training

The next step in becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician is to look for accredited pharmacy technician training programs that are provided by various colleges/ schools or online institutions.

You can also enroll yourself in online programs. These online courses are pocket-friendly and the quickest way to learn.

With online courses, you have access to pre-recorded or live classes, ensuring freedom and flexibility to learn according to your own pace. You get an opportunity to finish the program conveniently.

Choose a program that prepares you for the certification exam.

3. Apply for PTCB Exam

Once you are done with your training program, you are all set to apply for the exam. You can visit the PTCB website to learn more about the study guides and practice exams, which can prove to be valuable resources.

4. Get Clinical Experience & Prepare for Your Exam

Getting training is not enough to be a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

Along with theoretical knowledge, you have to gain some real-life clinical experience. Some pharmacy technician training programs offer you an externship. Through an externship, you can get hands-on experience working in a pharmacy.

If your program doesn’t provide an externship, you can consult local bodies or organizations that are looking for pharmacy techs.

Know more: What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do

5. Get Certified As a Pharmacy Technician

After following the above steps, you are now good to go. Sit for the exam conducted by PTCB on a scheduled date and clear the exam to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.

After obtaining your Pharmacy Technician Certification, you will need to fulfill certain requirements to maintain it.

These requirements may include continuing education courses or renewing your certification every two years from the date of issuance of the certificate.

Always stay updated with the renewal process. However, PTCB sends you a reminder, but for that, you must update your contact number on their portal.

How much can you make per hour as a pharmacy technician?

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics(BLS), the hourly pay of a Certified Pharmacy Technician is $17.66.

Now this may not be the same for all Certified Pharmacy Technicians, as there are various factors that can influence your hourly pay.

Find out: Pharmacy Technician Salary

Factors such as your overall experience, your job location, and the type of employer you are associated with may influence your average salary.

About the Author

Grant Aldrich

Grant founded OnlineDegree.com with a purpose-driven mission: make college accessible and affordable for everyone. After graduating college with an overwhelming amount of debt, he was determined to change how students embark on their education. He's a frequent speaker and author in higher education, and has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Business Insider, American Express, AOL, MSN, Thrive Global, Reader's Digest, Inside Higher Ed, Evolllution, EducationDive, and nearly 100 radio shows and podcasts.

How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

What is a Certified Pharmacy Technician?

How to Get a Pharmacy Technician Certification?

1. Make sure you have your high school diploma