PTCB Certification is an important first step toward a rewarding career in healthcare. As a CPhT, you can work effectively to support your pharmacy team and provide superior patient care.
The PTCB CPhT Certification is the technician credential pharmacists trust. With the CPhT credential, technicians demonstrate their knowledge and commitment in medication safety and effective patient care across pharmacy settings. Employers prefer, and many require, their pharmacy technicians to be PTCB CPhTs.
Learn more about PTCB’s CPhT credential and prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®).
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Access these test resources before your exam date to ease your nerves and help you prepare for success.
PTCE Practice Tools
PTCB offers two unique ways for CPhT candidates to prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)—the PTCE Practice Bank® and the Pre-PTCE®. Learn more.
PTCE Content Outline
Review the content outline which defines the content that will be measured on the exam.
PTCE Reference List
Many external references are available that may be useful to individuals preparing for the PTCE.
Pearson VUE Tutorial
The Pearson VUE tutorial provides a preview of the testing experience and functionality for PTCB exams.
Online Testing Requirements Overview
This quick video explains the requirements and policies for online proctored testing.
Are you eligible to earn your PTCB CPhT certification?
✔ Reside in the United States of America or its territories (US)
✔ Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent work experience
✔ Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
✔ Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
✔ Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)
To be eligible for the PTCE, a candidate must complete one of the following two pathways:
Pathway 1: A PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program (or completion within 60 days of application submission).
Pathway 2: Equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician (min. 500 hours).* This alternative secondary path serves experienced technicians who were not in a position to attend a PTCB-recognized program.
*500 hours must be complete at the time of application.
View a list of PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Programs for the CPhT Program.
The cost to apply for CPhT Certification and take the PTCE is $129.
To apply:
The PTCE is administered through online proctored testing and in-person at more than 1,400 Pearson Professional Centers nationwide, including more than 100 military bases.
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.
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.
Preliminary score reports presented on screen following your exam are typically an indication of your performance, but they are not official or final. Official score reports are typically available in your PTCB Account within three weeks of your exam date. PTCB cannot expedite the processing of exam results or certification information.
If you pass the exam, your certification status can be verified through PTCB Certification Verification.
When you are granted certification, your certificate will be available to download through your PTCB Account.
Upon earning your certification, 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 certification, 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.
PTCB CPhTs are required to renew their certification every 2 years to maintain their credential. Learn more.
Quick access to additional documents you may need during your PTCB CPhT certification or recertification process. Download the necessary documents and submit the completed forms as required.