pharmacy technician

[JYim]

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I want to get certified as a pharmacy tech, and was wondering how. Do I have to take classes? I looked them up online, and they were really expensive. Is there a cheaper way like reading books? O_O. (But then I don't think I have the self motivation to read books myelf.) But yea!! What are some ways to get certified? Thanks

 

[sprinkle0420]

I am in the same boat as you...I decided to apply for the pharmacy tech certification test that is coming up this nov. 18th and am in the process of studying from a comprehensive review book suggested by a few people here on this forum ("Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician," Jahangir Moini). I figured it couldn't be any worse than studying for the PCAT (received a 91 composite) and although I've applied to many pharmacies, I still have yet to hear back from any of them. Hopefully getting certified as a tech will better my chances of getting a job and the pharmacy experience I so desperately need! Plus, with all the money I am spending on applications, I can't afford spending money on a tech certification course... well, I probably could if I started working the stripper pole(lol)😉

 

[Dee77happy]

I just took the ptcb test this past saturday. I didn't take any prep class, I just studied straight from a PTCB review book by Noah Reifman. It came highly recommended on this forum. I think it really helped me out, especially going through the practice exams at the end of the book. I have to wait about 2 months for the results, but I do feel that passing the ptcb is totally doable on your own.

 

[JYim]

I am in the same boat as you...I decided to apply for the pharmacy tech certification test that is coming up this nov. 18th and am in the process of studying from a comprehensive review book suggested by a few people here on this forum ("Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician," Jahangir Moini). I figured it couldn't be any worse than studying for the PCAT (received a 91 composite) and although I've applied to many pharmacies, I still have yet to hear back from any of them. Hopefully getting certified as a tech will better my chances of getting a job and the pharmacy experience I so desperately need! Plus, with all the money I am spending on applications, I can't afford spending money on a tech certification course... well, I probably could if I started working the stripper pole(lol)😉

Good luck! And I'll look for that book today, thanks. Should I apply for the Nov one as well? If I start studying now O_O. You must be very disciplined... I might start wandering off to do different things if I had to study by myself @_@

I just took the ptcb test this past saturday. I didn't take any prep class, I just studied straight from a PTCB review book by Noah Reifman. It came highly recommended on this forum. I think it really helped me out, especially going through the practice exams at the end of the book. I have to wait about 2 months for the results, but I do feel that passing the ptcb is totally doable on your own.

Noah Reifman or Jahangir Moini?? Is Jahangir Moini's just a review? Eh.. I'll check them out at the bookstore. THANKS GUYS 🙂

 

[mana20]

My self, im taking a course at a Vocational school, Finical Aid paid for a lot of it, and I will owe a few thousand out of my pocket, but I think it will be worth it in the end, After I finish up here I will get a job as a tech to support my self while going to school to become a pharm. I think its worth it you learn and have more hands on with Labs and such and most places will help you get an externship to get your foot in the door. just my opinion though.

 

[pharmd4me@510]

I am in the same boat as you...I decided to apply for the pharmacy tech certification test that is coming up this nov. 18th and am in the process of studying from a comprehensive review book suggested by a few people here on this forum ("Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician," Jahangir Moini). I figured it couldn't be any worse than studying for the PCAT (received a 91 composite) and although I've applied to many pharmacies, I still have yet to hear back from any of them. Hopefully getting certified as a tech will better my chances of getting a job and the pharmacy experience I so desperately need! Plus, with all the money I am spending on applications, I can't afford spending money on a tech certification course... well, I probably could if I started working the stripper pole(lol)😉

Hey, sprinkle0420. So you're from Fremont? I'm from Union City. We're neighbors

 

[FaBpHaRm2Be]

My self, im taking a course at a Vocational school, Finical Aid paid for a lot of it, and I will owe a few thousand out of my pocket, but I think it will be worth it in the end, After I finish up here I will get a job as a tech to support my self while going to school to become a pharm. I think its worth it you learn and have more hands on with Labs and such and most places will help you get an externship to get your foot in the door. just my opinion though.

I too just enrolled in a 6 week course and plan on taking the Nov. 18th PTCB exam. I agree with mana20 in that some of these Pharm tech. programs will provide you the opportunity to get externships and placements, which may lead to a potential job 😉 . However you study, just make sure you pass!!Good luck to all!!!

 

[phAnicillin]

r u from the bay? private programs cost around 10-15 g's but there are non-profit pharm tech programs at foothill and mission college which only cost bout 4g's. Before attending the program, i had trouble finding a clerk job. i'll be finishing up my classes soon and will placed for an pharm tech extern at kaiser. just my opinion, my pharm tech training program is definitely worth it

Even if u pass the PTCB and become certified, places like Long's won't hire u as a tech right away.

 

[sprinkle0420]

hey there pharm4me,

yep yep, I live in fremont right now, the north end so I am like 5 min away from union city. Nice to meet ya neighbor!

 

[greatdeals225]

I took the exam this past July. I just bought a review book from amazon, studied once in awhile, and passed with flying colors. but then, i 've been working as a tech for 1.5 years now. However, i'm kinda worried about the PCAT! i'm sure it's way harder, anyone took both and can give us a comparison?

 

[cycloketocaine]

I took the exam this past July. I just bought a review book from amazon, studied once in awhile, and passed with flying colors. but then, i 've been working as a tech for 1.5 years now. However, i'm kinda worried about the PCAT! i'm sure it's way harder, anyone took both and can give us a comparison?

Seriously?!?!? You want a comparison!?!?!?!? Okay, here she goes....

The PCAT is completely different material. Nothing about the pharmacy or dosing or generics or ANYTHING. It's got Biology, Chemistry, Quant Analysis, Verbal, Reading and Writing sections.

It's comparing apples and oranges..........

And yes, it's much much much much harder than the PTCE ever thought about being.

 

[Chirj728]

I just registered for the test on Nov. 18. not its time to hit the books.

 

[TennisBoy78]

Seriously?!?!? You want a comparison!?!?!?!? Okay, here she goes....

The PCAT is completely different material. Nothing about the pharmacy or dosing or generics or ANYTHING. It's got Biology, Chemistry, Quant Analysis, Verbal, Reading and Writing sections.

It's comparing apples and oranges..........

And yes, it's much much much much harder than the PTCE ever thought about being.

That's an understatement! I couldn't agree with you more!

I had been a uncertified pharm tech three months prior to taking the PTCB, studied for two nights before the exam out of guilt, and scored 100 points beyond the passing grade. I wish I could say that for my PCAT score!

Do some states require that you enroll in a pharm tech program prior to taking PTCB? If your state doesn't (like mine), you'd be a fool to waste time and money on something that you can do on your own.

 

[gsinccom]

That's an understatement! I couldn't agree with you more!

I had been a uncertified pharm tech three months prior to taking the PTCB, studied for two nights before the exam out of guilt, and scored 100 points beyond the passing grade. I wish I could say that for my PCAT score!

Do some states require that you enroll in a pharm tech program prior to taking PTCB? If your state doesn't (like mine), you'd be a fool to waste time and money on something that you can do on your own.

I'd like to know the same.

 

[Dwanna022]

hey there pharm4me,

yep yep, I live in fremont right now, the north end so I am like 5 min away from union city. Nice to meet ya neighbor!

hi Im dwanna022 I take the test in nov 18 and i use Delmar's Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review By Patricia K.Anthony is that a good book to use

 

[Dwanna022]

I am in the same boat as you...I decided to apply for the pharmacy tech certification test that is coming up this nov. 18th and am in the process of studying from a comprehensive review book suggested by a few people here on this forum ("Comprehensive Exam Review for the Pharmacy Technician," Jahangir Moini). I figured it couldn't be any worse than studying for the PCAT (received a 91 composite) and although I've applied to many pharmacies, I still have yet to hear back from any of them. Hopefully getting certified as a tech will better my chances of getting a job and the pharmacy experience I so desperately need! Plus, with all the money I am spending on applications, I can't afford spending money on a tech certification course... well, I probably could if I started working the stripper pole(lol)😉

Hi dwanna022 Were r u taking your test

 

[darkangel77]

I'm taking the Nov 18 PTCB and taking a pharm tech prep course at a nearby college...cost me about $825 for a 7 week course (once a week, 3.5 hours though ><). We use the textbook "The Pharmacy Technician" by Morton Publishing and it's companion workbook...supposedly they're really good, but I guess we'll see come exam time, haha.

 

[mystical_03]

I'm from California. I heard that in CA we have to take pharm tech courses before becoming a pharm tech. Is that true? If not, if I study from the book, will it give me a good chance of passing?

 

[Da Alchemist]

nice

 

[Scrubs Fan]

I'm from California. I heard that in CA we have to take pharm tech courses before becoming a pharm tech. Is that true? If not, if I study from the book, will it give me a good chance of passing?

here's the info for getting your license in california, download the app and it'll be on the first page.
http://pharmacy.ca.gov/licensing/personal_licenses.htm

I didn't take any classes and just took the PTCB passed. It's doable, but better know how to do the math calculations.

hope that helps.
Good Luck, Cheers