Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Study Guide

Becoming a pharmacy tech is a good way to enter the pharmaceutical career field.

According to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, a pharmacy tech is an assistant to the pharmacist, helping prepare, label and fill prescriptions, assist customers, order medication and work with insurance companies on patient accounts. To become a pharmacy tech, you must pass the certification exam.

Significance

Prior to taking the exam, certain requirements must be met. A GED or high school diploma is required and no felony or drug charges on a background check. No particular educational training is necessary.

Considerations

There are two different certification exams available, one through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and another called the Examination for Certified Pharmacy Technicians or ExCPT. Both exams have sites that offer online practice tests, some for a fee.

Features

Besides online practice tests, those wishing to take pharmacy tech certification exams should become familiar with the test's contents. Certain books are recommended for study, such as APHA's "Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician 2nd Edition," "Complete Math Review for the Pharmacy Technician 2nd Edition," "Manual for Pharmacy Technicians" or "Pharmacology for Technicians 3rd Edition."

References

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: Training Publications
• All Allied Health Schools: Pharmacy Technician Certification
• Insertt: Pharmacy Technician Certification Information
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: General Definition