Pharmacy Tech CE Requirements: A Complete Guide
Understand pharmacy technician continuing education requirements. Learn how many CE hours you need, where to earn them, and how to stay certified.
Why Continuing Education Matters for Pharmacy Technicians
Continuing education (CE) is a mandatory requirement for maintaining your Pharmacy Technician Certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Whether you recently passed the PTCB exam or have been certified for years, understanding CE requirements is essential to keeping your credential active and advancing your pharmacy career.
PTCB Recertification Requirements
PTCB-certified pharmacy technicians must complete 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain their CPhT certification. Of these 20 hours:
- 1 hour must be in pharmacy law
- 1 hour must be in patient safety
- The remaining 18 hours can cover any pharmacy-related topic
At least 1 CE hour must be earned through a PTCB-recognized provider. All CE activities must be completed before your certification expiration date. You can check your certification status and expiration date through the PTCB portal.
Types of Approved CE Activities
There are many ways to earn continuing education credits. Approved activities include:
- ACPE-accredited programs: The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredits CE programs specifically for pharmacy professionals
- College coursework: Pharmacy-related college courses may count toward CE requirements
- In-service training: Employer-provided training sessions may qualify if properly documented
- Professional conferences: Pharmacy association meetings and seminars
- Online CE courses: Widely available through various pharmacy education platforms
Where to Find Free and Low-Cost CE
Many organizations offer free or affordable CE for pharmacy technicians:
- PowerPak: Offers free ACPE-accredited CE modules
- Pharmacy Times: Provides free online CE activities
- State pharmacy associations: Often offer CE at reduced rates for members
- Drug manufacturers: Some offer free CE related to their products
- Pharmacy chains: Many large chains provide CE for their employees
Tracking Your CE Credits
It is critical to maintain accurate records of your CE activities. The CPE Monitor system, jointly administered by ACPE and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), automatically tracks ACPE-accredited CE. Most CE providers will report your completion to CPE Monitor using your NABP e-Profile ID and date of birth.
To use CPE Monitor, you need an NABP e-Profile. Create one at the NABP website if you do not already have one. Your NABP e-Profile ID is a unique identifier that follows you throughout your pharmacy career.
What Happens If You Do Not Complete CE
Failing to complete your CE requirements by your recertification deadline will result in loss of your CPhT certification. If your certification lapses, you may need to retake the PTCB exam to regain it, depending on how long it has been expired. Do not let this happen; set calendar reminders and start earning CE early in your recertification cycle.
Plan Ahead for Success
Spread your CE throughout the two-year cycle rather than cramming at the end. Complete at least 10 hours per year and prioritize your pharmacy law and patient safety requirements early. This approach ensures you stay current with industry changes and never risk losing your certification.
Preparing for the PTCB exam? Start with our free practice questions and build your study plan at PTCBprep.
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