One rewarding job in the healthcare field is that of a pharmacy technician. You get to interact with patients, health professionals, or both every day and help patients receive the medications they need. If you’d like to make yourself even more competitive in the field and gain more responsibilities, one option is to become a certified pharmacy technician.
To earn certification, you will need to pass a national exam. There are two main exams, the PTCE & ExCPT. What is ExCPT certification, and how do you prepare for the exam?
What Is the ExCPT Exam?
You may be wondering, “What is ExCPT certification?” The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This exam covers the basics of medication safety, laws, preparing and dispensing prescriptions, and more.
The other comparable exam that can also earn you certification is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Unlike the ExCPT, which covers all aspects of being a pharmacy technician, the PTCE mainly focuses on medications, dosages, and the prevention of medication errors.
The PTCE is a slightly shorter test, with only 90 questions. Eighty of these questions will count toward your final score. The ExCPT has 120 questions, with 100 of them counting toward your score.
ExCPT Exam Requirements
To be able to take the ExCPT exam, you will need to have your high school diploma or GED. You also need to be at least 18 years old and have completed an approved pharmacy technician program in the past five years.
You may also be eligible to take the exam if you’ve completed a minimum of 1,200 hours working as a pharmacy technician.
To apply for the exam, you have to go through the NHA website, fill out the necessary forms, and provide the supporting documentation that demonstrates you’re eligible. The fee is $129. Keep in mind that although you can retake the exam if you fail it, you will need to pay that fee again.
Exam Format and Content Breakdown
Now that you have an answer to the question, “What is ExCPT certification?” you probably want to know what to expect from the exam.
It’s made up of 120 multiple-choice questions, but 20 of those will not be scored.
You will have two hours and 10 minutes to complete the exam.
You’ll be tested on four main topics. The majority of them will be about the dispensing process, including the preparation and dispensing of prescriptions, as well as dosage calculations and medication order intake and entry. This will typically make up 45% of the test.
You’ll also be tested on pharmacy laws and the scope of the job. This section will cover your general duties and the role of a pharmacy tech. There will be questions on laws and regulations, and you’ll be tested on your understanding of controlled substances. This part of the exam makes up 25%.
Another section of the exam will cover drugs and drug therapy. This will include questions on drug classification, dosages, and the most frequently prescribed medications. This section will take up 15% of the exam.
Other questions will involve questions on medical safety and quality assurance, including how to handle medications safely. It’ll make up 15% of the exam.
To receive your certification, you must score 390 or higher out of a possible score of 500.
What to Expect on Your ExCPT Exam Day
The ExCPT is administered at a testing center. You’ll get to choose the one closest to you when you register and pay the fee. You’ll need to bring valid identification to the site. Keep in mind that the test will take place in one single session, so be prepared to sit for two hours and 10 minutes.
You will be provided with a simple and non-programmable calculator. You won’t be allowed to use your own calculator. Notes, books, papers of any type, and electronic devices (including your phone) are forbidden at the exam site.
After the exam, you can receive a preliminary score. The official score will be posted once any abnormalities, errors, or misconduct are accounted for. NHA will post it within a couple of business days after scoring the test.
If you don’t pass the exam, you can retake it. You’re allowed to retake it twice in one calendar year, but you’ll have to pay the fee each time.
How RxCe Supports Certified Pharmacy Technicians With CE Courses Tailored to Your Interests
Often, people assume that once they receive certification, they keep it forever. That’s not the case. Every two years, you must renew your certification. This means paying a fee as well as showing that you’ve completed continuing education courses. You will have to pay $55 and prove that you’ve completed 20 hours of continuing education.
These education courses must be connected to pharmacy technician practice, and they must include one hour on pharmacy law and one hour on patient safety. This applies to every renewal of your certification.
At RxCe, we make finding the right continuing education courses you need simple. We offer a wide selection of options, from those that cover the requirements you must meet to options that could help you further specialize. No matter what your pharmacy career interests are, we offer classes that cater to those preferences.
Because our courses are online, they are convenient and affordable. You should never have to put your certification at risk because you can’t afford continuing education courses.
We make signing up for the courses simple and fast. Because the credits are immediately reported to the Continuing Pharmacy Education monitor, you can rapidly prove that you completed them when you fill out your renewal application.
Learn more about the options RxCe offers so that you can find the perfect classes.
