To Be Eligible To Register As A Pharmacy Technician With Us You Will Need To Complete:
- either one of the recognised competency-based qualifications and one of the recognised knowledge-based qualifications listed in the criteria, or a combined competency qualification, also listed in the criteria
- a minimum of two years work-based experience in the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands
Please see the criteria for registration as a pharmacy technician for more information about what you will need to do.
Once you have completed your qualifications and work experience, you can apply to register with us.
To apply, create an account and complete the online application available on myGPhC.
Read the application guidance to find out what you will need to apply – The document will automatically download, as you click on the link.
See the step-by-step guide to help you complete your online application.
Pass The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Lets face it, passing the pharmacy technician exam can be a daunting challenge. Youve spent months in school working towards getting your pharmacy technician certification and now its time to take the actual exam! But before you do that, here are a few tips that you should know to help you successfully get through the PTCB exam.
1. Know the Pharmacy Technician TestYouve learned what material will be expected on the exam, but have you thought to study the exam itself? Learning the details on the actual exam can help you to know what to expect on the test.
Heres what you need to know:
There are 90 multiple choice questions on the exam. You are given 2 hours to answer the 90 questions. These 2 hours also include 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey. The PTCB exam is in random format it jumps from one subject to another randomly.
2. Use FlashcardsFlashcards help you to not only understand the principles of a concept but also helps you to know the name of the concept. Using flashcards help you to store terms in your long-term memory which help eliminate the need for cramming for your test the night before. When it comes to the PTCB exam, using flashcards will be a great tool when youre studying the top 200 drugs.
Preparing For The Ptcb Exam
Mometrix Academy is a completely free pharmacy tech test resource provided by Mometrix Test Preparation. If you find benefit from our efforts here, check out our premium quality PTCB study guide to take your studying to the next level. Just click the pharmacy technician book link below. Your PTCB book purchase also helps us make even more great, pharmacy technician practice test content for test-takers.
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What Does A Pharmacy Technician Do
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for assisting pharmacists with a range of tasks including entering patient and medication data, measuring and packaging medicines, processing transactions and accurately labeling medications. Pharmacy technicians must also perform other basic tasks in addition to their more technical work assignments, including:
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Managing and taking phone calls from patients and directing questions to the supervising pharmacist
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Managing the pharmacy’s inventory and maintaining medications, including properly storing and disposing of medications
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Managing pharmacy supplies and placing orders
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Staying updated on current laws, policies and ethics regarding pharmaceutical practices
Read more:Q& A: What Is a Pharmacy Technician?
Pharmacy Tech Exam Prep: What To Expect From The Ptcb Exam
By Brianna Flavin on 02/14/2022
Every time you pick up a prescription at a drugstore, you might wonder about the career behind the counter. You like the look of the job. Pharmacy technicians work in clean, bright environments, in the heart of a growing and secure industryand they help connect people with the prescriptions they need for happier, healthier lives.
The counter that separates this role from pharmacy customers is often just a bit of Formica®. But think of it as a symbol of all the training that pharmacy technicians take on to become certified pharmacy technicians .
To earn this credential, youll first need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Boards ® Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam ®. If you could use a little extra insight into what this exam is like and how you can prepare for it, read on!
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Which Pharmacy Tech Certification Will The Program Prepare Me For
UTC prepares students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam which is administered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board . After passing the exam, the student becomes a CPhT . The CPhT certification is nationally-recognized.
The pharmacy tech certification exam cost is included in the cost of the course.
What’s The Difference Between A Registered And Certified Pharmacy Technician
The biggest difference between a registered pharmacy technician and a certified pharmacy technician is the difference in state versus national licensure. Registered pharmacy technicians might not have their national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board , but they are licensed to work in a pharmacy in their state. Pharmacy technicians who only hold a state license and are registered with their state of employment may need to obtain a separate state license if they move to a different state. You may also need your national certification in addition to your state registration.
Meanwhile, certified pharmacy technicians typically have both their state licensure plus national certification. PTCB certification is advantageous because it enables you to transfer across states for work. Additionally, certified pharmacy technicians usually have higher income potential.
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Nha’s Cpht Certification Program
The vast majority of pharmacy employers seek candidates with the proper certification. In fact, many pharmacy employers require certification in order to even consider the candidate for employment. The CPhT certification is essential to getting your foot in the door for an initial interview. This certification is earned through the NHA with the passing of the ExCPT exam. Pass the ExCPT exam, obtain the CPhT certification and you will be that much closer to obtaining rewarding and high-paying work with a pharmacy employer in the role of pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy technicians handle doctors prescription requests, create and maintain patient records, manage inventory, measure out medication and package/label those medications. These coveted professionals work in pharmacies, drug stores, grocery stores, hospitals and medical offices. However, you are likely pondering, How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? and what is involved in obtaining the certification necessary for such a professional role. Pursue this career and you will need the CPhT certification provided by the NHA to set the stage for success. Lets take a closer look at how to become a certified pharmacy technician.
The Four Knowledge Domains Of The Ptcb Exam
The PTCB exam will test your knowledge in four different areas, officially called knowledge domains. Lets take a deeper look at what you can expect from each knowledge domain and how much theyll contribute to your total score.
40% of exam
Medications
Since dispensing medications is the most vital part of the job, this section takes up the biggest percentage. Expect questions concerning names and classifications, therapeutic equivalents, drug interactions and side effects, drug stability, proper storage, strength and dosages, proper handling, and similar topics.
12.5% of exam
Federal Requirements
This covers federal regulations for pharmacies, including handling and disposal, how to handle controlled substances, restricted drug programs, recall requirements, and rules for prescriptions.
26.25% of exam
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
These questions focus on high-risk medications, event reporting procedures, how to prevent errors, pharmacist intervention for certain events, types of prescription errors, and cleaning and hygiene standards.
21.25% of exam
Order Entry and Processing
This section tests knowledge on formulas, calculations, ratios, conversions, and other important points of procedure, as well as the equipment and supplies required for administering drugs, identifying and returning expired or otherwise unusable medications, expiration dates, lot numbers, and more.
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Ptcb Test Online Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online PTCB Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The PTCB Course includes:
- 60 Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 500+ PTCB Practice Questions
During the exam, you are able to leave comments to challenge any questions that you feel may be inaccurate. You are also given 30 days following your examination date to submit a challenge in writing to the Certification Appeals Procedures.
During scoring, a panel of content experts will review your responses and comments. In rare situations, these reviews may result in different preliminary and official score reports.
How Long Is Pharmacy Technician School
Most employers will require you to have some post-secondary education to showcase your knowledge and skills. The easiest way to do so is by attending a college or university to obtain a certificate.
Cambridge College offers our Pharmacy Technician certification program to students ready to enter the field. Our program takes approximately 36 weeks to complete, so less than a year.
After you complete the program, youll have what it takes to take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam . Finally, youll be ready for employment.
Depending on where you choose to work, it may take some time to find the perfect job. Cambridges job placement services can help. Well assist you in finding the right job in one of the local medical facilities or pharmacies in our area.
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How To Apply And Schedule
The first step is to create a PTCB Account on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board located here: . Log into your PTCB Account and apply for certification. Once the application is approved, an email will be sent stating you are now permitted to take the exam. At this point, you are to schedule the specific time for your exam.
Exam appointments can either be scheduled on the web at Pearsons website or by phone. If you prefer to schedule your appointment by phone, dial at 866-902-0593. The exam is provided throughout the entirety of the year at nearly 1,500 professional centers and military sites across the nation.
What Domain Areas Are On The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
There are 9 knowledge domains and areas on the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam: Pharmacology for Technicians Pharmacy Law and Regulations Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding Medication Safety Pharmacy Quality Assurance Medication Order Entry and Fill Process Pharmacy Inventory Management Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement Pharmacy Information System Usage and Application
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Pharmacy Technician Practice Test Instructions
Each Free practice quiz has twenty questions and should take no more than 25 minutes. The subjects covered are based on the 9 knowledge domains outlined on the PTCB website. The system for checking your answer has been simplified to a report at the end of the quiz.
Following under each practice quiz, there’s a link to take you to the beginning of the next one. In some of the questions, there may also be a link to a tutorial page if the site has one that covers the material in the question. Additionally, there are forum pages where you can ask a question or help other users work through issues. Lastly, keep in mind that these questions are designed to help you practice for the PTCB or ExCPT exam. However, they are not the exact questions from either of those tests.
Ready to get started?
What To Expect On Test Day
On your designated testing day, you should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. You will need to bring an approved form of identification with you to the pharmacy certification exam site. You will not be permitted to take the examination without proper identification that matches your name as it is written within your PTCB Account, so be diligent in checking your identification when you register.
Most personal items must be kept in a locker and will not be permitted within the testing room. You may not bring a personal calculator as one is built into the examination however, a testing center staff member may be able to provide a physical calculator at your request. Bringing prohibited items into the testing room will result in your dismissal from the testing site and forfeiture of all fees.
Before you begin the examination, you will be asked to read and agree to all National Pharmacy Technician Certification policies, such as the Code of Conduct and Test Center Rules. You will then be presented with an optional tutorial. If you are not familiar with the layout of the PTCB exam, this is your opportunity to become accustomed to how the test navigates and how selecting an answer choice works. However, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the test format prior to taking the exam by taking PTCB practice tests.
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Syllabus To Study For The 2022 Ptcb Test
One of the great advantages of the syllabus introduced in 2020 is that it divided the exam into four knowledge domains:
- Medications
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance
- Order Entry and Processing
Before this, there were 9 knowledge domains which made preparing for the exam that much messier. Here, the simplicity of having just four knowledge domains coupled with the greater focus on pharmacy technician practice was a much-needed overhaul of the syllabus.
Students should therefore continue their study preparation with these four knowledge domains in mind. We have put together a convenient PTCB study guide to help students navigate their way through the PTCB exam and what to expect for 2022.
In summary, for the 2022 PTCB exam:
- You will be asked 90 multiple-choice questions, only 80 of which are used to assign a final score.
- A scaled scoring system is used between 1000 and 1600. Students must score a minimum of 1400 to pass the PTCB test.
There are over 250 test centers throughout the United States to take the PTCB exam. Online tests are also available given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, safety precautions such as mask wearing are mandatory.
Official Ptcb Calculations Practice App
Have some spare time while riding the bus or relaxing at home? Simply take out your phone and try out the Official PTCB Calculations Practice Questions Appavailable for both Apple and ®. The app gives users the opportunity to practice typical calculation questions found on the exam. These questions are actually pulled from earlier versions of the exam, giving students a very realistic look at what they will encounter during the real thing. Like the actual exam, the app includes 90 questions. The app also contains detailed explanations of how the correct answer was determined.
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What To Expect When Taking The Ptcb Exam
The format of the PTCB exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. But theres a small catch to keep in mindonly 80 of the multiple-choice questions are scored, while 10 are not. Of course, as the test taker, you wont know which ones count and which ones dont, as theyre spread randomly throughout the test. Test takers have one hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam, so with 90 questions to answer, that gives you a minute and 22 seconds per question on average.
To be on top of your game, you need to know your material. So what can you expect from the exam? Lets take a look.
Taking The Pharmacy Technician Test
PTCBThe test is currently broken down like this:66%22%12% To pass the PTCE:650900To schedule for the test:applyapprovedMake sure you have:any State Board of PharmacyTest Taking Strategies #1 biggest mistake people make on the PTCB exam.My experience on test day
I arrived and checked in early. There was some brief paperwork to fill out, simple stuff. They check your I.D. very carefully AND have you give a digitally recorded fingerprint.
Next, you have to put anything you may have on you into a locker, which is secure and you get a key.
I was called into the testing proctor area, which was a room surrounded by windows and monitors. In that room the proctors carefully watch you to make sure you take the test without any assistance. I believe there is video surveillance also.The proctor gave me a simple calculator, some laminated paper and a dry erase type pen to write out math problems or other stuff. I was informed to turn those in at the end for the proctor to look at. . I was carefully fingerprinted and identified again before being escorted to my test station. There were about ten stations in that room, all situated around the perimeter with the proctor cube in the middle watching everyone.
I was given a piece of paper that resembled a receipt and was excited because it said “Pass” in the results section. I had no idea I would find out any results that day.
Try someto get a feel for how the Pharmacy Tech Test is formatted.
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Be Prepared To Succeed
Theres no denying the healthcare field is an attractive place to start a career. Becoming a pharmacy technician and earning certification is one of many excellent lower barrier entryways to get started in healthcare.
While you could always try your hand at preparing for the PTCB exam on your own, you may want to consider a structured educational program designed to help you master the concepts and materials needed to pass. The Rasmussen University Pharmacy Technician Certificate program could be the perfect starting point for your healthcare career education.