In this Article
By: Anna Giorgi
Professional insights: Zachary Green
Earning professional certification as a pharmacy technician can help you achieve career success in this rewarding and in-demand role. To obtain this credential, you must pass one of two nationally recognized certification exams. Your options include taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). Both exams can lead to similar opportunities and the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation. Understanding how these exams differ can help you choose the one that most closely aligns with your professional goals and interests.
Why certification matters for pharm techs
Certification proves that you have demonstrated your mastery of the knowledge, skills and ethical considerations necessary to work as a pharmacy technician. The benefits of certification can include expanded responsibilities, higher earning potential and enhanced professional credibility.
Certification may also provide personal rewards. In a national survey of certified and noncertified pharmacy technicians, certified pharmacy technicians reported having a much higher confidence rating for a desire to take on new roles compared to those who did not have this credential.
Certification proves that you have demonstrated your mastery of the knowledge, skills and ethical considerations necessary to work as a pharmacy technician.
“In my personal experience working as a pharmacy technician, I knew that taking the PTCE to earn my CPhT made me more trusted among my pharmacy technician peers and pharmacists,” said Zachary Green, CPhT, Director of Professional Affairs at the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and Director of the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC).
Professional certification may also be required to meet conditions of employment and/or the licensing criteria needed to work as a pharmacy technician in certain states. Most states have minimum licensing and/or registration requirements for pharmacy technicians. Many states include professional certification as part of their licensing criteria. For state-specific requirements, consult the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy directory to find contact information to your state board of pharmacy.
PTCE basics
Eligibility requirements
The PTCE is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To be eligible to take the PTCE, you must meet the following criteria:
Exam format
The PTCE is a computer-based, two-hour exam. It is administered by Pearson Vue with proctored online or in-person options. The PTCE consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and 10 unscored questions that are not identified in the exam.
The content of the PTCE tests candidates in the following knowledge areas:
ExCPT basics
Eligibility requirements
The ExCPT is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To be eligible to take the ExCPT, you must meet the following criteria:
Exam format
The ExCPT is a computer-based exam that takes two hours and 10 minutes to complete. It is administered in proctored online and in-person formats by PSI. The ExCPT consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 20 pretest questions.
The content of the ExCPT exam tests candidates in the following knowledge areas:
Similarities between the PTCE and ExCPT
While offered by different organizations, the PTCE and ExCPT both assess the competency of pharmacy technicians in a wide range of areas including pharmacy law, drug information, pharmacy operations and patient safety applicable to many work environments. “It’s a common misconception that technicians need to choose a different exam depending on whether they plan to work in a community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy. PTCB’s CPhT certification supports all practice settings, and content specific to individual practice settings can be found within PTCB’s specialty credential programs,” said Green.
Similarities between the PTCE and ExCPT also include:
- Both exams are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA accredits certification programs to ensure that they meet recognized standards for competence and quality assurance.
- Both exams qualify you to use the CPhT credential as a professional pharmacy technician.
- Both exams offer a similar exam experience, with options for taking the exam online or at an in-person testing site.
- Both exams publish information involving content areas, study plans, and other guides to help you prepare and pass the exam.
- Both exams allow candidates to retake the exam multiple times, though each exam has specific requirements for mandatory waiting periods between attempts.
- Both exams involve a similar recertification process, requiring completion of 20 continuing education credits and payment of a $55 fee to the original certifying organization every two years.
Key differences between the PTCE and ExCPT
While the PTCE and ExCPT differ slightly regarding cost and number of questions, these variations are relatively minor and likely won’t impact your exam experience. Instead, consider how the exams differ in eligibility requirements and additional options for professional certification.
Different eligibility requirements:
- If you opt to meet eligibility requirements based on your education, it’s important to ensure that your program must meet the criteria of the exam you choose. Note that the PTCE requires the completion of a PTCB-approved program.
- If you opt to meet eligibility requirements using professional experience, consider how your experience relates to the criteria for each exam. While the PTCE exam requires 500 hours of work experience, the ExCPT requires 1,200 hours.
For further details, contact the certifying organization of each exam. Both organizations provide detailed information to help you determine your exam eligibility.
Different opportunities for professional growth:
While the PTCE and ExCPT both provide professional certification for the foundational CPhT credential, only the PTCE meets the criteria required to apply for the following advanced certifications offered by the PTCB:
- Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv)
- Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)
- Certified Pharmacy Technician Educator (CPTEd)
“PTCB’s CPhT truly is the foundation for pharmacy technicians looking to advance their careers. PTCB’s CPhT credential serves as a stepping stone to other specialty and advanced credentials,“ said Green. “A PTCB certification uniquely allows a pharmacy technician to advance through a career in pharmacy by earning additional credentials in various areas of specialization.”
Pharmacy technicians who pass the PTCE can also pursue specialty certificates through PTCB. These options include:
- Billing and Reimbursement Certificate
- Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention Certificate
- Hazardous Drug Management Certificate
- Immunization Administration Certificate
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certificate
- Point-of-Care Testing Certificate
- Supply Chain and Inventory Management Certificate
Final considerations
Both certifying organizations (PTCB and NHA) report that their respective exams are accepted in all 50 states. However, it’s wise to confirm that the exam you choose will meet your state’s licensing requirements by checking the criteria provided by your state board of pharmacy.
It’s also important to find out whether employers in specific geographic areas or work settings require and/or prefer one exam over the other. Contact prospective employers to learn about their hiring criteria so you can ensure you have the credentials you need to compete for the positions you desire.
Passing the PTCE or the ExCPT is an important part of securing success as a pharmacy technician. Achieving this milestone will require a period of study and preparation. However, this will be time and effort well spent. Earning professional certification through either exam can help increase your career options and lay a foundation for professional growth.
