Pharmacy Technician National Certification
Pharmacy technicians assist licensed pharmacists with a variety of tasks including receiving prescription orders, labeling prescription medications, clerical duties such as filing and answering the telephone, and providing customer assistance in retail environments. Many state boards of pharmacy require candidates to be registered prior to working as a pharmacy technician. There is no standardized formal education program required for pharmacy technicians, and certification in the field is usually voluntary, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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Certified Pharmacy Technician Certification
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The primary certification for pharmacy technicians is the Certified Pharmacy Technician, which gives the technician the right to use the CPhT credential as part of his professional designation. The CPhT is a voluntary certification. Most states do not require pharmacy technicians to be certified in order to be licensed or registered with the state board of pharmacy, according to the BLS, but some employers may require pharmacy technicians to be certified.
Organizations that Conduct Certification
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Certification is a process that evaluates and recognizes the training, knowledge, experience, expertise and education of an individual in a specific field. This process is conducted by an independent, non-governmental organization. There are two primary organizations that offer the CPhT credential to pharmacy technicians, including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
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Requirements
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Requirements for obtaining certification as a CPhT vary slightly depending on the credentialing organization. The PTCB requires candidates to hold a high school diploma or educational equivalent, such as the General Educational Development (GED). Candidates for certification must not have been convicted of any felony or any drug or pharmacy-related misdemeanor. Candidates must not have had their registration or license denied, restricted or suspended by any state board of pharmacy. Requirements for certification by the ExCPT include all of the same requirements of the PTCB, plus the candidate must be at least 18 years of age. The candidate must pass a written exam administered by the credentialing organization. Both organizations require candidates to obtain at least 20 hours of approved continuing education every two years in order to re-certify.
Benefits
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When all other factors are equal, employers tend to hire pharmacy technician candidates who have formal training and certification, according to the BLS. Certification is a public acknowledgment of the pharmacy technician's professional accomplishments, which may improve customer confidence and the technician's sense of self-worth, according to the PTCB. The PTCB also notes that certified pharmacy technicians report an increase in earnings and promotion opportunities compared to their non-certified counterparts. Re-certification compels candidates to remain current with the state of the industry.
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References
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