Every time you pick up a prescription at a drugstore, you might wonder about the career behind the counter. You like the look of the job. Pharmacy technicians work in clean, bright environments, in the heart of a growing and secure industry—and they help connect people with the prescriptions they need for happier, healthier lives.
The counter that separates this role from pharmacy customers is often just a bit of Formica®. But think of it as a symbol of all the training that pharmacy technicians take on to become certified pharmacy technicians (CPhTs).
To earn this credential, you’ll first need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB)® Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)®. If you could use a little extra insight into what this exam is like and how you can prepare for it, read on!
Is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) required?
The answer to this question is most likely yes. While there are variances from state to state, most states require pharm techs to hold national certification or licensure as of 2020, according to the PTCB.1 Check out their map for a quick overview of the pharmacy technician requirements in your state. It should be noted that while this article focuses specifically on the PTCB’s exam, there’s also a national certification exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association® that, while obviously not the same test, covers many of the same subjects and is also widely recognized.