Pharmacy Technician Certification
Need for Pharmacy Technician Certification
The pharmacy technician certification is given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board after passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. This examination is voluntary in majority of the states, however, a handful of states as well as employers require this certification as the dependence of pharmacy technicians widens.
The pharmacy technician certification measures the level of competency of the practitioner. The examination requirements include a high school diploma, and a good moral standing of the applicant. If the examinee passes the exam, he will be given the title Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Practitioners who passed the examination will be given higher accord than those who do not have the pharmacy technician certification.
The pharmacy technician certification examination is given several times in a year across the country. After two years, the certification expires and the pharmacy technician certification process needs to be repeated. Before the certification can be re-instated, the practitioner is required to have completed a 20 contact hour of pharmacy-related topics within the two-year certification period. However, half of the contact hour can be the actual practice of the certificate holder during the two-year-validity period of their certificate; under a supervision of a registered pharmacist.
The common characteristics of people with pharmacy technician certification are alertness, observational, organized, responsible, and dedicated. These characteristics are needed if someone is handling potentially dangerous substance if given in wrong dosage or the wrong kind.



