Technicians are required to obtain at least 20 hours of continuing education that includes one hour of pharmacy law before becoming recertified. The technician is required to obtain 20 hours before each recertification period because the continuing education hours cannot be carried over to the next period.
The continuing education hours must be taken at a college or university accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. Technicians should take courses, such as pharmacy operations, drug repackaging, or other courses related to pharmacy practices.
After the continuing education course has been taken, the technician should receive a certificate that all applicable information, such as, the name of the course, number of contact hours, and the signature of the facilitator of the program. Copies of the certificate of completion of the continuing education course must be submitted to the ICPT along with the recertification application.
Pharmacy technicians must submit a recertification application to The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (available on ICPT’s website). As of July, 2010, individuals can expect to pay an application fee of $50.00 if the application is printed and mailed. If the application is submitted online, the technician can receive a $10.00 deduction off the application fee. The technician may also fax the application at (866) 203-9213. After the application is reviewed and processed the technician will receive an updated certification via mail.
Technicians should keep records of their completed continuing education courses for at least one year after the certificate expiration date. Technicians are randomly selected by ICPT to submit proof of their education hours. If the audit application is lacking the requested information, it will be rejected and returned to the applicant who may resubmit it along with a $10.00 reapplication fee.