Certification and your state

What the CPhT gets you, what your board of pharmacy adds, and how renewal works.

What the CPhT isCPhT is a national certification awarded by PTCB on passing the PTCE and meeting eligibility. Whether you may work as a technician is decided by your …
Certification vs registrationPTCB certification is a national credential attesting competence. State registration or licensure is the legal authorization to work as a technician i…
State requirementsEvery state sets its own requirements for who may work as a pharmacy technician. They differ on registration, certification, training, age, background…
RecertificationThe CPhT credential is held for two years and renewed on continuing education. PTCB publishes the current hour requirements and subject conditions, an…
After you passYou receive a preliminary result at the test center and the official scaled score from PTCB. The CPhT credential follows, is held for two years, and y…
Advanced certificationsPTCB offers assessment-based certificates and advanced credentials beyond CPhT in specialized areas. What they let you do in practice depends on your …
Working before certifyingMany states allow work as a technician or trainee before certification, subject to registration. Those hours are what make the 500-hour PTCB eligibili…
Moving statesPTCB certification is national and moves with you. State registration does not transfer, and the new state runs its own process with its own requireme…