Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Test
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) test is a certification test offered to pharmacy technicians who want to demonstrate their professionalism and dedication to their work. A certification proves that the pharmacist has met strict qualifications and is dedicated to premium customer care and service. Those who pass the PTCB test are designated as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
To take the PTCB test, you must meet several requirements. You must be a high school graduate and have a clean criminal record. This includes no felonies or drug or pharmacy-related convictions. In addition, your pharmacist technician license must be in good standing, with no restrictions, suspensions, revocations, or denials.
If you meet the requirements, you may proceed with registering for the PTCB test. You can apply online or via mail. Once you are deemed eligible to take the test, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter that will provide you with instructions for scheduling the PTCB test. You can choose from an array of dates and times, since the test is offered year-round.
On the day of the PTCB test, you should plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early. You will need to bring your ATT letter and a valid ID that contains both your photo and signature. You should not bring any personal belongings with you. They will not be allowed in the testing area and will have to stay in a locker. You will be given an erasable note board and marker to use as scratch paper. If you need to make calculations, a calculator will be provided on the computer.
The PTCB test is a computer-based test that consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. You will be given two hours to complete the exam. The PTCB test consists of three main sections: Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients, Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems, and Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice.
- The Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients portion accounts for 66 percent of the test. This section of the PTCB test measures your ability to receive new prescriptions from patients and doctors, accept them through various means (fax, telephone, or e-mail), process refills, transfer prescriptions, and contact the doctor for clarification if needed. You will also be tested on your knowledge of following federal rules and regulations, collecting patient data, updating patient profiles, communicating with third-party payers, and handling rejected claims.
- The Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems section accounts for 22 percent of the PTCB test. In this section, you will tested on your ability to identify various pharmaceuticals; place orders; remove discontinued, expired, or recalled stock from inventory; communicate product availability to staff; maintain records; perform quality assurance tests; and repackage finished dosages.
- The Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice section accounts for 12 percent of the PTCB test. This section tests your knowledge of coordinating communications, updating patient records, performing quality assurance, implementing new safety-related policies, maintaining equipment, performing billing functions, and coordinating training and education.
You will receive the results of your PTCB test within three weeks. Your score report can only be provided by mail. The range of scores is 300-900, with the passing score set at 650. You will not receive a scaled score for each section of the test, but you will receive feedback that assesses your strengths and weaknesses in each area. If you want to re-take the PTCB test, you will need to wait 90 days. You can retake the test up to three times.
Last Updated: 04/24/2012