PTCB WEBSITE

Mission:  The PTCB develops, maintains, promotes and administers a high-quality certification and recertification program for pharmacy technicians. 

Vision:  The PTCB national program establishes the value of the certification process for pharmacy technicians, employers, pharmacists, state boards of pharmacy, and patients.  The PTCB certification provides solutions to the challenges of pharmacy practice across practice settings.

In pursuing its goals, the PTCB:

• Provides high standards for the certification of pharmacy technicians.
• Supports the Pharmacist-Certified Pharmacy Technician team concept to advance patient care.
• Conducts research to assess and promote the value of the CPhT credential.
• Facilitates consensus within the profession on pharmacy technician issues.
• Plans and leads strategies on pharmacy technician certification that reflect PTCB's role as a nationally recognized certifying body.
• Provides timely information related to the PTCB certification program and the pharmacy technician role to state boards of pharmacy, state associations and PTCBs national accounts.

Established organization with a promising future

• PTCB was established in January, 1995 to create a consolidated national certification program applicable to pharmacy technicians in all practice settings.  Through the PTCB program, pharmacy technicians are able to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer better patient care and service.  Five governing organizations: American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists (ICHP), Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA), National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
• NCCA accredited certification program
• Nationally-administered exam for twelve years.  Each year the number of candidates sitting for the exam has increased (never a drop)
• PTCB is recognized by 30 state boards of pharmacy
• Over 270,000 Certified Pharmacy Technicians since 1995

First-class testing and exam development

• Pearson VUE and PES are PTCBs testing vendors.  Pearson VUE is the global leader in electronic testing services for academic admissions, certification and licensure programs.  PES has been PTCBs contracted examination development vendor 1995.  PES supports professional licensure and certification, training, and continuing professional education. PES offers a full-range of assessment and testing services
• NABP conducted a comprehensive review of the PTCB examination in 2001.  NABPs involvement in the PTCB, through its formal affiliation on December 31, 2001, recognizes that the PTCE is a valid assessment mechanism and the PTCB program represents a credible certification process.

Reputable and Accessible Examination

• PTCE available in CBT format 100 days in 2007
• PTCB certification program is NCCA accredited
• Support of major employers nationwide including Walgreens, Target Pharmacy, CVS/pharmacy, Kmart and Rite-Aid. Major employers who become PTCB-sponsored national accounts receive important benefits not available to other organizations. 
• Online services: Exam Application, Exam Results, Exam Scheduling, Practice Exam & Renewal of Certification

Profession Growth and Importance of the profession

The PTCB believes that CPhTs are the best support for pharmacists and by demonstrating mastery of knowledge and skills through the PTCB certification, pharmacy technicians are able to work more effectively with pharmacists. The better qualified the pharmacy technician, the higher the quality of care the pharmacy team brings to the patient. In order to become a CPhT, candidates must sit for and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.  Once a pharmacy technician has passed the PTCE, he or she may use the designation of CPhT.

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in the 2006-07 edition of the Occupational  Outlook Handbook (OOH) that future job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expanding, especially for those with certification.  Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.  The OOH reports, Cost-conscious insurers, pharmacies, and health-systems will continue to expand the role of pharmacy technicians.  As a result, pharmacy technicians will assume responsibility for some of the more routine tasks previously performed by pharmacists.
• In addition to acknowledging the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, the OOH describes the PTCE as a test of the  individuals competency to act as a pharmacy technician.  The OOH asserts, More states and employers are requiring certification as reliance on pharmacy technicians grows.  Employers, often pharmacists, know that individuals who pass the exam have a standardized body of knowledge and skills.  (http://www.bls.gov/oco)

National Testing of Pharmacy Technicians Mitigates Risk

• The PTCE is based on a national study of pharmacy practice, with participants from each state across all practice settings.
• Healthcare is a high-profile industry monitored by governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and not-for-profit associations.  Given this exposure, healthcare practice settings actively seek opportunities to eliminate risk, typically taking the lead from national initiatives and practices.  The PTCE plays an important role in this process.
• Patient safety, the most critical national issue facing health care settings today, given the implications to patient health, potential litigation, and impact on the settings reputation.  The PTCE allows pharmacy technicians to work toward the goal of providing patient safety.
• All healthcare professionals, including pharmacy technicians, must clearly understand and support patient safety initiatives. 

Employers minimize their risk and reduce turnover, by selecting CPhTs who have participated in PTCBs comprehensive testing that follows national guidelines and recommendations.