How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are crucial healthcare providers who assist pharmacists in distributing medications to patients. Pharmacy technicians do a variety of tasks besides that, however. They also answer questions to help people better understand the medications they’re taking and even fill out insurance claims while dealing with medical billing.
This rewarding profession offers flexible work in a pharmacy setting and puts you in contact with people who need you. Your work environments can include hospitals, clinics, and even grocery stores. Pharmacy techs need to have excellent customer service skills and be dedicated to helping others.
You can work with healthcare professionals of all types, including physicians in clinical settings. The responsibilities and challenges of the job make it a rewarding option for those who want to help people who are struggling with illnesses or chronic conditions.
If you’ve been considering a pharmacy technician career, having a clear idea of how to get started and what the requirements are is essential. Learn more about how to become a pharmacy technician in this guide.
Complete a Pharmacy Tech Educational Program
The first step in the journey of how to become a pharmacy technician is to complete an appropriate educational program. Many of these are one-year certification programs that provide focused and targeted training.
You’ll find options for online and campus training programs. Either format can provide everything you need to prepare for the PTCE exam that the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board requires.
Is a Degree Required to Become a Pharmacy Tech?
Many employers only require a high school diploma or GED and not necessarily a degree. There is no national standard for this career path, but participating in continuing education programs and getting an associate degree are always good options. These avenues can make you much more attractive to a wider selection of employers.
Prepare for the PTCB Exam
One of the most important things to know when researching how to become a pharmacy tech is that you will usually need to pass the PTCB exam. This allows you to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). To be able to take it, you need to have completed a recognized pharmacy technician training program or have completed 500 hours of equivalent work experience.
This exam is made up of 90 multiple-choice questions that focus on four main knowledge domains. It covers medical terminology, pharmacy law, compounding, and a variety of other topics. Of the 90 total questions, 10 are not scored. The unscored questions are randomly distributed throughout the test so you won’t know which ones they are.
To register for the exam, you need to create a PTCB account and apply. If your application is accepted, you can register for an exam at one of the test sites near your location. There is an application fee.
You have options to prepare for the PTCB exam. There are paid courses specifically designed to help you get ready for the test, but there are also free options. Alternatively, you can choose to study on your own using practice tests and study guides offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.
Is Passing the PTCB Exam Required to Become a Pharmacy Tech?
Passing the PTCB test isn’t always required, but many employers these days do ask for PTCB certification. When you’re deciding how to become a pharmacy technician, you should seriously consider taking this exam. Another way to achieve certification is through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), which offers an alternate exam consisting of 100 questions.
Take the PTCB Exam
You have two hours to take the PTCB test. It includes ten minutes of prep time so that you know what to expect from the format. The test questions break down as follows:
- 40% focus on medications
- 12.5% focus on federal requirements
- 26.25% focus on patient safety and quality assurance
- 21.25% focus on order entry and processing
As you take the test, you can leave comments to challenge questions you think may not be accurate. You then have up to 30 days to submit a formal challenge.
A passing score is one of 1400 or above. Scores are scaled depending on the level of the test’s overall difficulty. When you receive your score, it will be broken down into sections to give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses. If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam in 60 days.
How Should You Prepare for the PTCB Exam?
To get ready for your PTCB test, practice exams are necessary. These will give you a sense of the format, the time limits, and the challenges you face. You should also learn everything about the top 200 prescription medications since a large part of the exam will focus on them.
Unless you’re very good at keeping yourself motivated, it’s best that you participate in a prep course. When you’re still learning how to become a pharmacy technician, prep courses can be much more effective than self-guided studying.
Learn everything you need to know about the PTCB Exam
Be Prepared for Any Continuing Education Courses After Licensure
Learning doesn’t end after getting national certification and your license. Pharmacy technician jobs require that you stay up-to-date on innovations and regulations. This means taking additional courses regularly.
Continuing education also allows you to specialize. You can focus more closely on laboratory technician jobs or even prepare to become a central pharmacist operations technician. For all of this, you will need to choose courses from accredited institutions.
How RxCE Can Help
It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the path to becoming a pharmacy tech or you have already done so and are looking to continue your education. In either case, RxCe can help.
We provide a variety of courses at unbeatable prices, allowing you to get started pursuing your preferred career path without worrying about saving up to afford classes. Contact our team at RxCe to find a course that can help you take the next step.
