How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician
Your complete roadmap to earning the CPhT credential
Meet Eligibility Requirements
You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. You cannot have any drug-related or pharmacy-related felony convictions. PTCB also requires that you have not had any state board actions against a professional license.
Complete Education or Training
Complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program (such as an ASHP-accredited program), OR complete equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and online programs offer pharmacy technician training lasting 6-12 months.
Register for the PTCE
Create an account at ptcb.org, complete the online application, and pay the $129 examination fee. Once approved, you will receive authorization to schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center.
Study for the Exam
Dedicate 6-8 weeks to studying. Focus on all 4 PTCE domains: Medications (40%), Federal Requirements (12.5%), Patient Safety & QA (26.25%), and Order Entry & Processing (21.25%). Use practice exams, flashcards, and study guides.
Take and Pass the PTCE
The exam has 90 questions (80 scored, 10 unscored pretest) and lasts 1 hour 50 minutes. You need a scaled score of 1,400 out of 1,600 to pass (approximately 70%). Results are available within 1-3 weeks.
Maintain Your Certification
Once certified, complete 20 continuing education hours every 2 years (including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety). Recertification costs $40.