Credential Overview
PTCB /
PTCB develops, maintains, promotes, and administers a nationally accredited certification program for pharmacy technicians, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). In addition, PTCB offers a specialty certification program for CPhTs that perform sterile compounding, Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician® (CSPT®), a certification for pharmacy technician educators, instructors and trainers, Certified Pharmacy Technician Educator™ (CPTEd™), as well as Assessment-Based Certificate Programs.
Distinction Between Certification and Certificate Programs
Certification
Certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental body grants time-limited recognition and use of a credential to individuals who have demonstrated that they have met predetermined and standardized criteria for required knowledge, skills, or competencies. To retain the credential, certificants must meet requirements for renewal. The credential awarded by the certifying organization denotes that the participant possesses particular knowledge, skills, or competencies.
Assessment-Based Certificate
An Assessment-Based Certificate Program is a non-degree granting program that provides education/training to participants to aid them in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes, evaluates participants’ accomplishment of the intended learning outcomes, and awards a certificate only to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency, or passing standard for the assessment.
| Certification Program | Assessment-Based Certificate Program |
| PURPOSE: Recognize professionals who meet established knowledge, skills, or competencies | PURPOSE: Build capacity and recognition of a specialty area of practice or set of skills |
| Assesses knowledge, skills, and/or competencies previously acquired | Typically requires instruction and training |
| Goal is to validate the participant’s competency through a conformity assessment system | Goal is for participants to acquire specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies |
| Assessment is best used to assure baseline competencies and to differentiate professionals; independent of a specific learning event | Assessment is used to evaluate mastery of the intended learning outcomes; linked directly to the learning event |
| Assessment content is usually broad in scope | Assessment content may be narrower in scope |
| Awards designations to recognize achievement | Awards a certificate to recognize mastery of the specific learning outcomes; it is NOT a certificate of attendance or participation, which is awarded to individuals who have attended or participated in a course or training program but did not have to demonstrate mastery of the intended learning outcomes |
Used with permission from Institute for Credentialing Excellence©. For more information, visit www.credentialingexcellence.org.
Credential Maintenance Requirements and Trademark Use
Individuals who meet eligibility requirements and pass the appropriate PTCB certification exams may use the CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician), CSPT® (Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician®), or CPTEd™ (Certified Pharmacy Technician Educator™) designation. To maintain certification, PTCB certificants must recertify in accordance with PTCB’s requirements. Refer to the recertification section for specific program requirements.
There are no renewal requirements for Assessment-Based Certificate Programs.
The Benefits of PTCB Credentials
PTCB credentials are valid nationwide. However, regulations to work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician vary from state to state. Individuals should contact their local state board of pharmacy or visit the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website for more information regarding pharmacy technician requirements. Benefits of PTCB credentials may include an increase in job promotion opportunities, recognition within the pharmacy profession, and an increased focus on patient safety. Pharmacists recognize that through the credentialing programs, PTCB technicians demonstrate the qualifications and knowledge necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician.