PTCB relies on data gathered through research on pharmacy practice to inform our programs and guide updates to our credentials. PTCB conducts independent research to gather data and feedback on topics related to pharmacy technicians, their work, and public perceptions. We analyze and share research findings relevant to pharmacy technicians. 

2024: Job Analysis Study

In 2024, PTCB conducted a job analysis to keep the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam^® (PTCE^®) up to date. A panel of experts, including Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) and pharmacists, helped develop 2 national surveys on pharmacy technician tasks and required knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). In total, 6,327 respondents completed the task survey, and 6,563 completed the KSA survey. Survey data led to content updates for the PTCE, focusing on changes such as the removal of nonsterile compounding topics and the addition of Drug Supply Chain Security Act content. These updates will take effect in January 2026. Read more.

2023: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey 

In an effort to help employers empower pharmacy technicians to serve their patient community more equitably and feel supported in their workplace, PTCB conducted a first-of-its-kind survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion of over 9,000 Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs). Respondents represented a cross-section of the pharmacy technician workforce, including technicians across the country, working in various pharmacy practice settings. More than half of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that DEI is important for the workplace, but the survey also shows pharmacy technicians say there is room for improvement. Read more.

2022: Pharmacy Technician Workforce Survey

In May 2022, to better understand the current pharmacy technician workforce, PTCB fielded an online survey to 366,850 pharmacy technicians, with 20,000 certified and non-certified pharmacy technician respondents. PTCB collected data on technicians’ attitudes toward their jobs and the actions employers could consider to retain existing talent and attract new employees. Results from the survey show that the majority of certified pharmacy technicians remained dedicated to serving patients and advancing their careers despite pandemic-related challenges. However, the data also revealed that, of the people who reported leaving the profession, more than 25 percent noted they would have continued working as pharmacy technicians if not for COVID-19 pandemic stressors. Read the press release.

Following further analysis of the data, PTCB published The State of the Pharmacy Technician Workforce White Paper in 2023.

2020: Changes in PTCB Certification Eligibility Requirements

To guide our regular Certification Program updates, we periodically conduct a Job Task Analysis to study the tasks that technicians perform on the job and the knowledge and skills they need to perform those tasks in current pharmacy practice. To determine our 2020 updates, we applied data from our most recent Job Task Analysis in 2016, which generated responses from more than 40,000 technicians. The 2020 changes reflect findings on critical job tasks, and important knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs). We further conducted a 90-day comment period in January 2018 to collect essential input on the implementation of our 2020 education/training requirement and received comments from more than 600 stakeholders (educators, employers, regulators, and pharmacy organizations). Read more.

2019: Assessing Pharmacy Technician Certification

A study published in June 2019 shows that nationally certified pharmacy technicians are more committed to a pharmacy career and have a greater desire to take on new and expanded responsibilities than noncertified. The study*, “Assessing Pharmacy Technician Certification,” published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA), compared the viewpoints of certified and noncertified technicians and explored the perceived value of certification in the areas of medication safety, skills, and abilities, experience, career engagement and satisfaction, and productivity. Based on the findings, certified technicians have a stronger organizational commitment and view themselves as making fewer medication errors. They are more likely than noncertified to complete a pharmacy technician training program at a community college or vocational school, work 40 hours or more per week, and have an expectation for higher wages. The majority of respondents have confidence in performing the final check on another technician’s preparation of a new or refilled medication, a process known as Technician Product Verification (TPV). Read more.

2016: Public Perceptions Related to Pharmacy Technicians and Certification

In October 2016, PTCB released the results of a public perception survey conducted by KRC Research on behalf of PTCB. The findings reveal that 85% of the public believes it is very important for pharmacy technicians to be certified. Consumers feel so strongly about certification that 76% say that they would seek out a different pharmacy if they knew technicians working in their current pharmacy were not certified. The survey results and key findings show that among consumers, frequent pharmacy visitors are even more likely (79%) to seek a pharmacy where technicians are certified, and adults with children at home are most likely (82%) to look elsewhere. Read more.

2010: Pharmacists’ Perception of the Value of Technician Certification

Results from a PTCB-sponsored survey found that lead pharmacists perceive pharmacy technician certification as an essential component in reducing medication errors, ensuring patient safety, and increasing positive health outcomes. The results, unveiled at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting in March 2010 by researcher Shane Desselle, R.Ph, PhD, FAPhA, Associate Dean for Tulsa Programs, Chair, and Professor of the Department of Pharmacy: Clinical and Administrative Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, reflect information from 609 usable responses to a survey of more than 3,200 pharmacists serving in a variety of practice settings across the United States. The study is published in the Journal of Pharmacy Technology.