The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has a few basic requirements candidates must meet before they can sit for the test. As a potential tech, you must have a high school diploma or GED, be free of felony, drug or pharmacy-related convictions and be on good terms with your state's board of pharmacy (see Reference 2). The test is comprised of 90 multiple-choice questions covering three subjects. "Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients" is worth 66% of the score, "Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems" is 22% and "Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice" is 12%. Candidates have two hours to complete the test (see Reference 3).
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board posts test preparation materials on its website and does not endorse preparation programs, though schools with classes do exist to help potential pharmacy technicians pass the test (see Reference 3). These schools cover material that will help the student pass the test, such as pharmacy law, math for the pharmacy and inventory management. Books are also available for test preparation at bookstores or online retailers. Test preparation websites are another resource, offering study materials and practice tests (see Reference 4).
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board requires that pharmacy techs complete 20 hours of continuing education coursework every two years to maintain their certification. One college class every two years, in chemistry, biology, anatomy or math, qualifies for 15 hours of continuing education. Special projects outside the tech's normal work routine can contribute up to 10 hours toward continuing education. Classes given by professional pharmacy organizations and state boards of pharmacy also are acceptable (see Reference 5).
Certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board does not guarantee a pharmacy job, or even the legal right to work as a pharmacy tech. States establish their own requirements for pharmacy techs. Seven states do not regulate pharmacy techs at all, others require certification, and still others regulate techs but do not require certification. It is crucial that pharmacy tech candidates research the requirements in the state where they expect to practice before they begin a course of study (see Reference 6).