If you're looking to become a certified pharmacy technician, you'll need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB®) exam. This comprehensive exam tests your knowledge and skills in a variety of areas related to pharmacy tech work. But how can you make sure you pass the PTCB exam? Here's what you need to know:
Exam Objectives:
The PTCB exam covers a wide range of topics related to pharmacy tech work. The main exam objectives include:
- Medications: knowledge of common prescription and OTC medications, their uses, side effects, and interactions
- Federal requirements: knowledge of laws and regulations related to pharmacy tech work, including HIPAA, FDA, DEA, and more
- Patient safety and quality assurance: knowledge of best practices for medication safety, inventory management, and quality assurance
- Order entry and processing: knowledge of how to accurately process and fill prescriptions, including interpreting and entering prescription orders
- Pharmacy calculations: knowledge of basic math and dosage calculations used in pharmacy tech work
- Pharmacy operations: knowledge of how to manage inventory, maintain records, and communicate with patients and healthcare providers
Exam Details:
The PTCB exam costs $149 to take. The passing score is 1,400 out of 1,600. You'll have four hours to complete the exam. The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers or remotely via online proctoring.
Who Should Take the Exam?
The PTCB exam is designed for individuals who want to become certified pharmacy technicians. To be eligible for the exam, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and no felony convictions related to drug or pharmacy theft. You must also complete a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician training program or have equivalent work experience.
Related Books:
There are many resources available to help you prepare for the PTCB exam. Here are a few recommended books:
- PTCB Exam Study Guide: Test Prep and Practice Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam by Trivium Pharmacy Technician Exam Prep Team
- Mosby's Review for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination by James J. Mizner
- The Pharmacy Technician's Pocket Drug Reference by Joyce A. Generali
- The Pharmacy Technician Workbook and Certification Review by Perspective Press
These books cover a variety of topics related to the PTCB exam, including medications, federal requirements, patient safety, order entry and processing, pharmacy calculations, and pharmacy operations. They also include practice questions and exams to help you prepare for the actual PTCB exam.
Passing the PTCB exam is an important step toward becoming a certified pharmacy technician. By studying and preparing with the right resources, you can increase your chances of success and achieve your career goals in the pharmacy industry.