For those who don’t know, Pharmacists are people who provide medication and other prescriptions, prescribed by a general practitioner to patients. Along with doctors and third parties, they also ensure that patients are on the correct state program and are paying the correct insurance for their healthcare products.
Well, that doesn’t really sound too complicated, however, to become a certified pharmacy technician can prove to be less than easy as there are many programs and processes that one has to partake in. If you choose to qualify as a pharmacy technician while doing on-the-job training, the process is rather simple as there are no formal exams, it is based entirely on one’s own progress and learning. So what is the point in having an examination? Well, the answer is rather straightforward; employers like knowing that they have certified staff as it reduces the risk of employing unqualified workers who are unable to do to the job up to the employer’s standards.
The United States requires that there is a minimum of two years spent on obtaining a diploma or a certified pharmaceutical technician award in order to be a pharmacy technician. It is ideal for all people ambitious to become a pharmacy technician to take the largest national certification exams. These are provided by the ‘Institute of Certification of Pharmacy technicians’ and ‘Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’ often abbreviated to ‘ICPT’ and ‘PTCB’ respectively. ICPT offers a specialized exam called ExCPT, which is given out on a very regular basis in order to help students to become more familiar with the sort of responsibilities that they will face as a qualified pharmacy technician. Furthermore, this system has proved very apt, as it offers immediate results directly after the examination. ExCPT is supported by three national pharmaceutical associations and is thus deemed the best kind of exam undertaken by pharmacy technician candidates.
Of course, there are other pharmacy technician exams available such as the ‘Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE), which is the only examination endorsed by three American Pharmacists associations. By completing and passing any of the three associate exams, you can immediately become a certified pharmacy technician but this is not compulsory for candidates to become a qualified member living in federal states. Unfortunately for those that are in non-federal states, it is required that one takes an exam supported by the PTCE and will otherwise not authorize for the position.
