Certilyst

What happens after I pass the PTCB?

Q: What happens after I pass the PTCB?

A: After passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), you become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Your official certification is active for two years from your passing date. The next steps involve claiming your credential, maintaining it, and leveraging it for career advancement.

Q: What are the immediate administrative steps?

A:

  1. Official Score & Certificate: Your official score report and certification details will be available in your PTCB account within a few business days. You can download and print your official certificate from the PTCB website.
  2. Update Your State Board: In most states, you must apply for or update your state pharmacy technician registration/license to reflect your new CPhT status. This often involves submitting your PTCB certification number and paying a fee. This step is mandatory to work as a CPhT.
  3. Update Your Employer: Provide a copy of your certificate to your employer's human resources or pharmacy department. This typically triggers a pay increase and may change your job title and responsibilities.

Q: What are the requirements to maintain the CPhT credential?

A: To renew your certification every two years, you must:

  1. Complete Continuing Education (CE): You must earn 20 hours of approved CE within your two-year cycle. Specific requirements include:
    • At least 1 hour in Pharmacy Law
    • At least 1 hour in Patient Safety
    • The remaining hours in other pharmacy-related topics.
  2. Pay the Renewal Fee: Submit the renewal fee to PTCB before your expiration date.
  3. Comply with the Code of Conduct: Adhere to PTCB's professional standards.

Q: How does this certification change my career prospects?

A: Becoming a CPhT significantly expands your opportunities:

  • Higher Pay: Certified technicians almost always earn more than non-certified technicians.
  • Job Eligibility: Most hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and many retail chains require national certification for employment.
  • Career Advancement: It is the prerequisite for pursuing advanced certifications (e.g., CSPT for sterile compounding, BCPP for psychiatric pharmacy) and moving into specialized, higher-paying roles in IV rooms, chemotherapy, informatics, or management.
  • Professional Credibility: It demonstrates a standardized level of knowledge and commitment to the profession to employers and patients.

Q: What should I do first after seeing my "PASS" result?

A:

  1. Celebrate! This is a major professional achievement.
  2. Log into your PTCB account and access your official documents.
  3. Contact your State Board of Pharmacy to understand their specific process for updating your registration.
  4. Begin tracking your CE hours immediately. PTCB provides a tracking tool in your account, and many free and paid CE options are available.

For resources on navigating professional certification maintenance and career development strategies, you can explore certilyst.com.