There are many benefits to attending a pharmacy technician certification exam prep course. Pharmacy technician exam-prep courses allow technicians to review and study critical questions and core skills they may encounter on the pharmacy technician certification exam. In addition, prep courses often assist students in navigating the application and registration process – a requirement to sit for the exam.
Discover how enrolling in a pharmacy technician exam-prep course can help you take a big step toward passing it.
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What is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a nationally recognized exam that offers aspiring or practicing technicians the opportunity to receive their CPhT certification. Passing the PTCE does not guarantee that a student has met all formal certification requirements to become a technician in their state. It is essential to check all state requirements to ensure adequate qualification.
Who Administers the exam?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is administered through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board – a nationally recognized board that certifies technicians to meet the PTCB’s independent standard. The PTCB currently offers three certifications for technicians.
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)
Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv)
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam prepares technicians to sit for the CPhT. Information on additional PTCB certifications, requirements and eligibility standards can be found online.
How Do I Qualify?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board sets all qualification guidelines for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. To sit for the exam, a technician must meet five eligibility standards and complete a PTCB-certified work or education pathway.
5 Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a resident of the United States or its territories
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Fully disclose all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure action.
- Comply with all PTCB Certification policies
- Payment of a $129 exam fee
Two Pathways
- Successful completion of a PTCB-recognized training or education program
- Students who will complete a program within 60 days are eligible
- 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician
How Do I Know What’s Required in My State?
Each state requires technicians to meet a different level of eligibility. Some states require technicians to receive registration and licensure, while others require licensure, registration, and national certification. Currently, only three states (Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii) do not require technicians to be licensed, registered, or certified. Visit the PTCB state regulations webpage for a complete list of states and their requirements.
What Can I Expect on Exam Day?
Once eligibility is met and the state guidelines are sorted out, it’s time to sit for the exam. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is a 90-question, multiple-choice exam administered over the course of 2-hours. The PTCE is an in-person exam administered electronically at a designated testing center. Proper identification must be provided to take the exam.
What Happens If I Fail the Exam?
After completion of the exam, unofficial test results will be provided. Official PTCE test scores will populate 14 – 21 days after taking the exam. If a technician fails the first attempt, they are eligible to take the exam a second and third time without a required waiting period. However, technicians must pay the exam fee again before retaking. If a student fails the exam after three attempts, they must wait six months before reapplying for the exam.
What Is an Exam Prep Course
When people think of exam prep, they often think of boring, stale test banks that require you to flip back and forth between questions and answers with little to no guidance. Or, trying to jam in as much information from some 1,000-page, overly expensive textbook after a long workday. While test banks and study books are convenient, they need more guidance and structure offered by exam-prep courses.
Exam-prep courses are an alternative to test banks and textbooks, offering structured learning materials over static books or study guides. Exam prep courses come in various forms – online, in-person, one-on-one, or asynchronous. Studies can span from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Others offer you the chance to learn at your own pace through guided instruction or pre-recorded lessons.
What Are the Benefits of Exam-Prep Courses
Exam-Prep courses offer a variety of benefits not found in test banks or study guides. Exam-prep courses dive into the content, with peers and instructors helping students through questions. In addition, exam-prep courses may offer additional resources, such as reading materials, individual help if needed, guidance in the application, and registration.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Exam-Prep Courses?
Anyone seeking their CPhT certification is an ideal candidate for an exam prep course. However, exam-prep classes are generally geared towards those who have not received formal education as a pharmacy technician or who waited to obtain their CPhT certification and need a refresher. Since exam-prep courses cover questions on the PTCE, those seeking additional support or who may be unsure of their ability to pass would be ideal candidates to sit for the exam.
The University of Providence’s Pharmacy Technician Exam-Prep Course
The University of Providence’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam-Prep course combines the structure and learning of a traditional online course with added flexibility and affordability. Through our single, 8-week, asynchronous course, students will receive advanced, guided knowledge through various learning modalities. Independent coursework is paired with open forums for students to collaborate, quiz, and interact with one another in a directed and controlled learning environment.
The Who, What, When, and Where
The University of Providence Pharmacy Technician Exam-Prep Course is a single, 8-week, 100% online, asynchronous course. Designed for already working technicians, our course is designed for working professionals to complete on their schedule within the 8-week window. Coursework is completed on an individual basis, with no required class times. Through the open forum, students can engage with fellow students and their instructor for specific questions if needed.
Course Eligibility
Our Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam-Prep course offers employed technicians seeking licensure through the PTCB a chance to prepare for the exam by sampling questions, refreshing math formulas, and reviewing ethical guidelines. To enroll, students must complete a pharmacy technician education or training program or 500 hours of work experience as a technician.
Learning Modalities
Our course offers multiple ways for students to learn exam materials. Students will use the PTCB exam prep book as a guide while taking practice tests. Instruction will focus on the top 200 medications, math skills, and other concepts needed to pass the PTCB exam. In addition, students will learn through individual readings and research, online videos, practice quizzes, and tests. Online forums between students will allow for collaboration among peers and instructors.
Providence Partnership
As part of the University of Providence’s partnership with Providence St. Joseph Health, eligible caregivers and their dependents may receive discounted tuition, scholarship opportunities, and immediate tuition reimbursement through employee benefits.
Applying
Interested students can apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam-Prep course on the University of Providence apply now page. To learn about benefits for caregivers and their dependents, visit the caregiver information page or check with your ministry’s HR department.
There are many benefits to taking a Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam-Prep course. An exam-prep course can provide guided, structured support to those seeking PTCB certification as a CPhT. The University of Providence’s exam-prep course offers guided courses, exam-specific questions, and a collaborative community in a fast, affordable, and conveniently online, asynchronous course.
Source: https://www.ptcb.org/
Don’t take your chances on failing the PTCE
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