Pharmacy Technician

[pharMchiCK]

Hey guyS....

well.. i'm hoping to find experience in the pharmacy field before I apply to pharmacy school, but most of the jobs I found require being certified or Licensed.

So i have three questions:

1. What is the difference between being certified and licensed?

2. Which is mostly given after finishing a pharm tech program?

3. and does anyone know the FASTEST way of becoming a pharm tech?
i mean, i know about those 8 months schooling, but does anyone know of anything within 4 months? and if so, are they good?

I've seen ads for "long distance continuing education online" programs that allow students to study on their own and finish in about 6 weeks. Does anyone have any comment on this?

So basically, what is the most beneficial, efficient, and fastest way of becoming a pharm tech? and which is better, licensed? or certified?

thanks!

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[Modnar]

Hey guyS....

well.. i'm hoping to find experience in the pharmacy field before I apply to pharmacy school, but most of the jobs I found require being certified or Licensed.

So i have three questions:

1. What is the difference between being certified and licensed?

2. Which is mostly given after finishing a pharm tech program?

3. and does anyone know the FASTEST way of becoming a pharm tech?
i mean, i know about those 8 months schooling, but does anyone know of anything within 4 months? and if so, are they good?

I've seen ads for "long distance continuing education online" programs that allow students to study on their own and finish in about 6 weeks. Does anyone have any comment on this?

So basically, what is the most beneficial, efficient, and fastest way of becoming a pharm tech? and which is better, licensed? or certified?

thanks!

Hi Pharmchick!

1. Certification is for techs and comes from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (a national entity) and licensure is for pharmacists and comes from your state board of pharmacy. (This is how it works in my state. Your state may be different, so call your state's board of pharmacy and ask.) Certification is good no matter where you go. Licensure is only for your state.

2. To become certified, you must take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The classes you've seen will prepare you for the exam, but you won't be automatically certified after you finish them. The exam is a multiple choice test similar to the ACT or SAT. You have about 3 hours to take it, but most people finish before that. Much like the ACT/SAT, it's only held on specific days at specific locations. I the next test is in July, and there'll be another one in October or November. Go to www.ptcb.org to find out registraton info.

3. The fastest way would be what I did: buy a review book from either the PTCB or your state's pharmacy board and just study. I studied from one of these for a couple of hours a week beginning 3 months before the test, and I passed. You do NOT need to take a formal class or have worked in a pharmacy. In fact, I recommend staying away from the classes and studying on your own - it's cheaper. To sit for the exam, you need a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18.

Good luck!

 

[npp71681]

Hi!


I took that Pharmacy Technician class at Community College. This class is Countinuing Education class, in which you don't get any credit, but you get a Certificate. Most Community Colleges offer this class in (fall, spring, & summer). This is just one semester class, this class prepares your for your PTCB(pharmacy technician certification board) exam. From taking this exam you'll be a national certified pharmacy technician. If you are certified with PTCB you can get job as a tech easily.

As Modnar mention you can pass this exam without taking this class. This class is just prepares you for your PTCB and gives you a certificate from community college that says you have successfully completed pharmacy technician course.

There are 2 degrees in Pharmacy Technician:1)certificate degree(one semester)
2)associate degree (two years)

So, by taking this class you'll get your certificate degree from community college and it also helps you prepare for your national certification exam.

 

[Oneday_9]

Hey guyS....

well.. i'm hoping to find experience in the pharmacy field before I apply to pharmacy school, but most of the jobs I found require being certified or Licensed.

So i have three questions:

1. What is the difference between being certified and licensed?

2. Which is mostly given after finishing a pharm tech program?

3. and does anyone know the FASTEST way of becoming a pharm tech?
i mean, i know about those 8 months schooling, but does anyone know of anything within 4 months? and if so, are they good?

I've seen ads for "long distance continuing education online" programs that allow students to study on their own and finish in about 6 weeks. Does anyone have any comment on this?

So basically, what is the most beneficial, efficient, and fastest way of becoming a pharm tech? and which is better, licensed? or certified?

thanks!

Although licensure is typically for pharmacists, I live int he state of Arizona, and they are now requiring tech's be licensed as well. It's not hard though, pass the PTCB exam, which is really not hard, just study at least 2 or 3 months before and you're fine, and we also have to be trained on site at the pharmacy we work at. Once you are working at pharmacy and pass the PTCB exam, you obtain a license which can hold you more liable than before for errors.

You do not need 8 months of schooling either. I am a trainer at a PBM and I teach a pharm tech class. I have old ladies and men passing after working two months with a book and practice tests. IF you're in college right now or have a degree, youshould have no problem, so don't waste any money!

Easiest way to get certified: 2 or 3 months studying from pharmacy tech CD's or books.

Licensing (depends on state): Start working at pharmacy and pass PTCB

So neither one is better, it is all relative to the state you work in.

Hope this helps!

 

[groo1515]

To obtain a license as a pharmacy tech in Illinois, one must simply fill out a form that is subject to a background check and submit $50.00. Then you get a nice piece of paper with your name printed on it and are able to go nuts. Certification is a national thing that requires a test. The best thing to do is send your resume to all kinds of different pharmacies. They will usually train and pay for any license needed.

 

[mrryy93]

I'm living in Texas, doesn't anyone know any information how to become a Pharmacy technician in state of Texas?

Thanks.

 

[NYCGuy86]

2. To become certified, you must take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The classes you've seen will prepare you for the exam, but you won't be automatically certified after you finish them. The exam is a multiple choice test similar to the ACT or SAT. You have about 3 hours to take it, but most people finish before that. Much like the ACT/SAT, it's only held on specific days at specific locations. I the next test is in July, and there'll be another one in October or November. Go to www.ptcb.org to find out registraton info.

Is this still true? I went to the website and it says that the test is offered year round, and you have a 90 day period from registration to schedule the exam...

 

[iceman132]

What are some of your job duties

Can you give a rundown of a day at your job?

 

[xtsukiyox]

Is this still true? I went to the website and it says that the test is offered year round, and you have a 90 day period from registration to schedule the exam...

The information you are quoting is from 2004, when the test was offered in a paper format. The test is now offered in a computer-based format, which means they're more flexible in scheduling. Go with what's on the PTCB website.

I'm living in Texas, doesn't anyone know any information how to become a Pharmacy technician in state of Texas?

Thanks.

Check with the Texas Board of Pharmacy. They should have a website that spells out specifically what to do.

 

[CLT919]

I'm living in Texas, doesn't anyone know any information how to become a Pharmacy technician in state of Texas?

Thanks.

I received my pharmacy technician certification through Boston Reed College. I live in Virginia, but I know they have locations all over the U.S. (including Texas). I'm not sure what location would be the best for you, but you check them out here: http://www.bostonreedcollege.com/locations/
I chose to do all evening classes so I could continue with my full-time job, and I was able to finish the program in 8 months. Again, this may vary by state, but you should be able to find some good information on their website: http://www.bostonreedcollege.com/pharmacy-technician.cfm
Hope this helps. Good luck! 🙂

 

[RX2020]

Hi,
Is it worth buying Practice Exams from PTCB. How similar are they to the actual exam and what is help level?

 

[mbpuffer]

Hi,
Is it worth buying Practice Exams from PTCB. How similar are they to the actual exam and what is help level?

It's worth it to help boost your confidence level for test day. They are similar but I didn't find them that helpful in preparation. I feel like I over studied for the PTCE. I aced it with flying colors.

 

[RX2020]

It's worth it to help boost your confidence level for test day. They are similar but I didn't find them that helpful in preparation. I feel like I over studied for the PTCE. I aced it with flying colors.

Congrats on acing it
I am taking the test on 20th and I am taking a crash course which is not helpful. What advise do you have for me in terms of passing it such drug names, laws, dates, math questions
thanks

 

[mbpuffer]

Congrats on acing it
I am taking the test on 20th and I am taking a crash course which is not helpful. What advise do you have for me in terms of passing it such drug names, laws, dates, math questions
thanks

The math portion wasn't that hard for me. I just had to memorize the conversion factors if anything. Doing the calculation is relatively easy for me. As for the drug names/laws that comes down to brute memorization. I had no experience so I just treated it like memorizing for a big vocabulary test. Just be able to regurgitate the name/law and you'll go in smooth sailing.

 

[cpht15]

I dont know if all of this has been answered or not yet, but here goes.

1. A license is essential for a tech in almost (if not every) state in order to set foot into the pharmacy. Licenses come from the individual state board of pharmacy. Once you have a license you can work and do virtually whatever as a technician. Certification comes later. Some states, like Iowa, require you to take the PTCB (national pharmacy tech certification test) within a year of starting work as a tech. If you do not get certified you will lose your job.

2. I dont quite understand your second question, but the PTCB is usually pretty easy. It is desgined for the average american citizen, so if you plan on applying to pharmacy school I imagine youre pretty intelligent and wont have a problem. You have 90 questions to do in 120 minutes that fall into a few categories. There are drug names/generics, usages, some law questions, basic physiological/drug functions that you will need to know, and the rest is mostly simple math conversions. http://pharmacy-tech-study.com/ is a great place to learn.

3. A lot of people have been misled about Pharmacy tech education. There is no required schooling that you have to go through. If you have a HS diploma of GED you can take the test to get certified ( i suggest studying a bit) and then apply for a license to make yourself marketable to pharmacies. The easiest way, I think, is just to apply at a local retail pharmacy. Most chains (CVS, Walgreens etc) have their own informal training programs. You apply, get a job as a "Pharmacy Technician Trainee" and start work. You learn a lot on the job and some companies have additional resources. From my experience at CVS, I applied, got a job, automatically received my license (required to work), worked during school, and then took the test during the summer to get certified. At CVS they give you some study materials and will pay for you to take the test (since in Iowa you have to take it) after 6 months of employment. Then, viola! You are a Joe Schmoe, CPht. It's actually a pretty simple process.

The only downside is, because they work in the pharmacy and are a licensed/certified health professional, people think that the technicians make a decent amount of money. The truth is that they do not. You might start out slightly to just a couple dollars over minimum wage. It is also very stressful work. Not only are you working retail, it is a pharmacy. There are a lot of laws and impatient customers.

Hope this helped everybody! I only speak from my knowlegde in Iowa and Illinois, so there might be some differences in your respective state, but it is generally pretty similar. And you can always stop into your local pharmacy and ask their opinion! Thats what I did and I wound up with a job!

Any other questions just ask!

-Landon, CPht at CVS/pharmacy in Iowa

 

[RX2020]

The math portion wasn't that hard for me. I just had to memorize the conversion factors if anything. Doing the calculation is relatively easy for me. As for the drug names/laws that comes down to brute memorization. I had no experience so I just treated it like memorizing for a big vocabulary test. Just be able to regurgitate the name/law and you'll go in smooth sailing.

Thanks for info. As far as the laws were concerned, what did you focus on the most. Such as Medicaid dates and stuff.
Thanks

 

[Tutorsonnet]

I think most of the pharmacy students are getting good knowledge from here, this conversation is really good and knowledgeable.

 

[NickW9682]

above post is the best advice...I bought a book for like $20 and study for a few days. The exam is about the same price as the PCAT.

 

[The Recoverer]

I'm living in Texas, doesn't anyone know any information how to become a Pharmacy technician in state of Texas?

Thanks.

Doesn't anyone know how to use google? 😀

 

[chendricks1309]

Hi Pharmchick!

1. Certification is for techs and comes from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (a national entity) and licensure is for pharmacists and comes from your state board of pharmacy. (This is how it works in my state. Your state may be different, so call your state's board of pharmacy and ask.) Certification is good no matter where you go. Licensure is only for your state.

2. To become certified, you must take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. The classes you've seen will prepare you for the exam, but you won't be automatically certified after you finish them. The exam is a multiple choice test similar to the ACT or SAT. You have about 3 hours to take it, but most people finish before that. Much like the ACT/SAT, it's only held on specific days at specific locations. I the next test is in July, and there'll be another one in October or November. Go to www.ptcb.org to find out registraton info.

3. The fastest way would be what I did: buy a review book from either the PTCB or your state's pharmacy board and just study. I studied from one of these for a couple of hours a week beginning 3 months before the test, and I passed. You do NOT need to take a formal class or have worked in a pharmacy. In fact, I recommend staying away from the classes and studying on your own - it's cheaper. To sit for the exam, you need a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18.

Good luck!

Which study guide did you use?