Immunization Administration

Demonstrate your knowledge of the safe management and delivery of immunizations.

INTRO

Back to Top

A comprehensive understanding of how to safely deliver immunizations and carry out related tasks not only results in safe patient care, but it addresses the public health need to protect communities from the spread of disease. The Immunization Administration Assessment-Based Certificate requires completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program.

Earning this certificate demonstrates your advanced skills and commitment to patient and community care by minimizing the spread of disease in your community, especially as vaccines are delivered in massive quantities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Complete the Immunization Administration Certificate to demonstrate your competency in:

  • Understanding immunization schedules
  • Proper management and storage of immunization supplies and vaccine doses in your pharmacy
  • Safe delivery of immunizations directly to patients
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies to protect health care workers  and patients

 

APPLY NOW

 

 

 

PREPARE & APPLY

Back to Top

A Step Toward Your Advanced CPhT (CPhT-Adv) 

Earning this certificate takes you one step closer to becoming a PTCB Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician™ (CPhT-Adv™). Active PTCB CPhTs who have completed at least four of the certificate programs, or three certificate programs and the Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician® (CSPT®) Certification, and 3 years of work experience will be eligible to earn a CPhT-Adv credential.

 

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate must hold an active PTCB CPhT Certification and complete a PTCB-Recognized Immunization Administration Education/Training Program.

View a list of PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Programs for the Immunization Administration Certificate.

PTCB-Recognized Programs have been reviewed and found to provide learners with foundational knowledge that will help them be successful on PTCB exams. Please note that PTCB-Recognized Programs may not cover all information that appears on your exam. It is important that you review the exam content outline as part of your preparation and seek supplemental resources as needed.

 

Exam Fee

The fee to apply for this certificate exam is $89.

 

How to Apply and Schedule

  1. Apply by logging into your PTCB Account.
  2. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with your authorization to complete your exam within 90 days.

The Immunization Administration Certificate Exam is administered through online proctored testing and in-person at more than 1,400 Pearson Professional Centers nationwide, including more than 100 military on-base sites.

 

Prepare for Your Exam

Online Testing Requirements Overview
This quick video explains the requirements and policies for online proctored testing.

Exam Content Outline
Be sure to review the exam content outline as part of your exam preparation.  

Concepts/ Terminology of Vaccine Administration (30%)
Roles of pharmacy technicians in supporting immunizations
Definition of key terms in the immunization process (e.g., active vs. passive immunity, inactivated vs. LAV)
Common vaccinations and vaccination schedules (e.g., influenza, zoster, Pneumococcal, Tdap)
Vaccine Safety and Administration (50%)
Preparation for vaccine administration, including supply selection (e.g., reconstitution, needle length)
Procedures for vaccine administration: SQ, IM, IN
Safety considerations during vaccine administration (e.g., handling and disposal of sharps)
Documentation, Product Handling, and Adverse Reaction Management for Vaccines (20%)
Procedures for immunization-related documentation (e.g., VIS form)
Procedures for receiving, storing, and handling of vaccines (e.g., cold chain, disposal)
Managing vaccine-related adverse reactions and emergency situations (e.g., localized reactions, syncope, anaphylaxis, VAERS vs. VERP)

EARN YOUR CERTIFICATE

Back to Top

About the Exam

The Immunization Administration Exam is a multiple-choice exam that contains 60 questions. Be prepared to commit 1 hour and 30 minutes for the exam (5-minute tutorial, 1 hour and 20-minute exam, and 5-minute post-exam survey).

 

Exam Day Requirements

When you schedule your exam, you may choose to take your PTCB exam at a Pearson VUE test center or online from your own computer under the virtual supervision of a live proctor.

  • Arrive at the designated Pearson VUE test center 30 minutes prior to your appointment. If you are testing online, check-in 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
  • Bring an approved form of identification that matches your name as it appears on your PTCB Account. You will not be allowed to take the exam without proper identification.
  • Prior to your exam day, be sure to review more detail about what to expect and what is required in the Candidate Guidebook. Also, review important information about online testing requirements in our Help Center.

 

Testing Accommodations

Candidates who require testing accommodations must request these accommodations during the application process. Accommodations that are reasonable and consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided by PTCB at no additional cost to candidates. Learn more.

NEXT STEPS

Back to Top

Scoring

Your official score report will be presented on screen following your exam. If you pass the exam, your credential status can be verified through PTCB Certification Verification.

 

Certificates

Once your official score is available, you can download your certificate through the Credly Platform. Learn more.

 

Digital Badges

Upon earning your credential, you will receive an email invitation from the Credly Platform via badge@ptcb.org with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.

This digital badge will contain information describing your credential, including how you earned it. You can display the badge in your email signature, electronic files of a resume, and on social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Renew

This certificate program does not require renewal.

DOCUMENTS

Back to Top

Quick access to additional documents you may need during this process. Download the necessary documents and submit the completed forms as required.

  1. Testing Accommodations Form