Continuing Education for Pharmacy Technicians: A Guide

Why Continuing Education Is Required

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board requires certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) to complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their certification. CE ensures technicians stay current with evolving pharmacy practice, new medications, regulatory changes, and safety standards. Your certification must be renewed every two years.

PTCB CE Requirements

To recertify, CPhTs must complete 20 hours of pharmacy technician CE during each 2-year certification period. Of these:

• At least 1 hour must be in pharmacy law
• At least 1 hour must be in patient safety
• All CE must be from ACPE-accredited providers (activity numbers ending in "T" for technician credit)

Where to Find CE

• PTCB website - Links to free and paid CE opportunities
• Pharmacy Times and Drug Topics - Free online CE articles and quizzes
• Power-Pak C.E. - Accredited online CE programs
• State pharmacy associations - Live seminars and conferences
• Employer-provided training - Many pharmacy chains offer CE through their learning management systems

Choosing Valuable CE Topics

While any ACPE-accredited CE counts toward your requirement, choosing topics strategically can advance your career:

• New drug approvals and clinical updates
• Sterile and non-sterile compounding updates
• Immunization administration training
• Specialty pharmacy topics (oncology, HIV, transplant)
• Leadership and management skills
• Pharmacy informatics and technology

Tracking Your CE

Keep records of all completed CE activities, including certificates of completion. PTCB uses the CPE Monitor system (a collaboration between ACPE and NABP) to electronically track CE credits. Ensure your NABP e-Profile ID is linked to your PTCB account for seamless tracking.

Staying current with CE is part of being a professional. Start building your knowledge base with PTCB exam prep resources and continue growing throughout your career.