Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT): Your Guide to the PTCE Exam

Key Insights:

• Some states and employers require certification to work in the pharm tech role. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is one organization that offers the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. To earn PTCB certification, you must take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

• The PTCE exam can be taken online or in person and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. You need a score of 1,400 or higher to pass. Taking steps to prepare for this test in advance can help you develop the knowledge and skills assessed.

• Ultimate Medical Academy’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program includes certification prep, preparing you to sit for the PTCE exam.¹

Pharm tech occupations are projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034.² While a pharmacy technician program can help you prepare for this healthcare role, some states and employers require you to be certified — taking this step may also make it easier to get a job in this position, even if it’s not a requirement.³

One option for earning your pharmacy technician certification (CPhT) credential is PTCB certification. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is PTCB Certification?

PTCB stands for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. What makes this organization unique — and worth considering when choosing a CPhT credential to pursue — is that it was the first in the U.S. to offer the CPhT designation, and it’s also the first to receive accreditation with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).⁴

Earning your PTCB certification tells potential employers that you have met the standard knowledge and skills needed to perform pharmacy technician duties. It can also help satisfy certification requirements set by state regulatory agencies and employers.  

To obtain your CPhT certification through the PTCB, you must take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

About the PTCE Exam for CPhT Certification

The PTCE exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, 80 of which are scored and 10 that are unscored.⁵ You have one hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam, with an additional 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey.

This exam assesses your knowledge in four domains that are important to know as a pharmacy technician:⁶

• Medications (40% of the exam)
• Federal Requirements (12.5% of the exam)
• Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (26.25% of the exam)
• Order Entry and Processing (21.25% of the exam)

Pass the PTCE and you earn the CPhT designation.

Eligibility requirements

To take the PTCE, you must first complete a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician program or have 500 hours of work experience in this healthcare role.⁷ You’re also required to disclose any previous criminal conduct and/or State Board of Pharmacy actions involving registration or licensure violations.

*Note: This is not a comprehensive list of PTCE exam eligibility requirements. Visit the PTCB website for more information.

Applying for the PTCE

The PTCE can be taken online, where you are proctored by video, or it is also administered in person at more than 1,400 Pearson Professional Centers around the U.S.⁸ You must create a PTCB account and pay the application fee to apply. If you are approved, you’ll receive an email to schedule your exam.

The day of the exam

Whether taking the exam online or in person, prepare to check in at least 30 minutes ahead of your appointment. You’ll also need an approved form of identification that matches your name as stated on your PTCB account, or you won’t be allowed to take the test.⁸

After the PTCE exam

A score of 1,400 or higher is needed to pass the PTCE.⁹ A preliminary (non-official) score will appear on the screen at the conclusion of the exam, and you’ll receive your official score in your PTCB account within three weeks. This is also where you’ll receive a downloadable certificate that shows you’ve earned the PTCB’s CPhT credential.

Keeping your CPhT certification current

PTCB certification must be renewed every two years. This requires that you complete 20 hours of continuing education before applying for recertification. You also need to pay any applicable renewal fees.¹⁰

To Prepare for Your Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam

In 2024, the pass rate for the PTCB’s certified pharmacy technician credential was 70%.¹¹ Because certification may be required by your state and/or employer, it’s important to prepare for the exam in advance. There are several ways to accomplish this goal.

#1: Complete pharmacy technician training with certification prep

One way to prepare for the PTCE is to choose a pharmacy technician program that includes certification prep. For example, Ultimate Medical Academy’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program includes preparation to sit for the PTCE exam.¹ You gain access to study materials and instructor support, helping you build your knowledge, skills, and confidence for exam day.

#2: Review PTCE content

It can also be helpful to review the knowledge and skills that will be assessed on the exam. The PTCB publishes a content outline that breaks down the topics covered in each knowledge domain, giving you a better understanding of what you may be tested on. Go through it and highlight any areas you’re unsure about. Review materials from your pharmacy technician courses to refresh your memory of this information.

#3: Take a PTCB practice exam

Once you feel ready, you may decide to take a practice PTCE exam. This can help highlight knowledge areas that you may need to study more, while also identifying the ones you know well. The PTCB offers practice tools, one of which is a Pre-PTCE practice exam, that can help assess your readiness for this test.

Pursue Your Pharmacy Technician Education at UMA

Career training and certification can be important steps to becoming a pharmacy technician, and Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) is here to help.

Our Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Science Degree program includes PTCE certification prep.¹ You also receive 180 hours of supervised training in a real-world environment, giving you practical experience in this healthcare role. This program can be completed in 18 months or more.¹²  

Why choose UMA?

UMA understands the working learner. Many of our students have full-time jobs, are taking care of children or parents, and have other obligations that extend well beyond school. That’s why we offer a variety of Student Services, each designed to offer support as you progress through your academic journey, and even into your career.

If you have financial aid questions, you can reach out to a Student Finance advisor. If you have questions about an assignment or course, our Academic Services team can help guide you toward an answer. And once you’re ready to begin working in healthcare, UMA’s Career Services is here to help with your resume, prepare you for your interview, and provide job search assistance.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you pursue your healthcare career goals. We also offer a variety of helpful resources if you’d like to learn more about the pharmacy technician role. Check them out!

• How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharm Tech?
• Difference Between a Pharmacy Technician License and Certification
• About the Specialty Pharmacy Technician Role
• The Different Pharmacy Technician Levels

FAQs

• Where can I get my pharmacy technician certification? Multiple certifying organizations offer the CPhT credential. CareerOneStop offers an online search to help you identify your options. Learners enrolled in UMA’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program receive preparation to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB’s) CPhT certification exam.¹ The PTCB has granted more than 842,000 CPhT certifications,¹³ providing you with the opportunity to join a large group of certified professionals.
• How long does pharmacy technician certification take? It can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the eligibility pathway you choose (education or experience), how long you spend preparing for the certification exam, and scheduling availability for the test. UMA’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program can be completed in 18 months or more¹² and includes certification prep.¹
• How do you become a certified pharmacy technician? Each credentialing agency sets its own requirements for earning the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. Eligibility requirements for PTCB certification include residing in the U.S. (or a U.S. territory), completing a PTCB-recognized education program or having 500 hours of work experience as a pharm tech, and disclosure of criminal actions, among a few others.⁷ Visit the PTCB’s website to learn more.