What happens/ what do I do now that I've passed the PTCB exam?

[ancientchives]

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I just passed the PTCB exam yesterday but now I am a bit lost on what to do next...are they going to send me a certificate soon and do I have to pay for a license? Also, I heard that by doing 20 hours of pharmtech relative stuff, I won't have to retake the exam in two years- is this true? I reside in california by the way.


I read some information on this in one of these forums in the past but can't seem to find that thread anymore- so sorry if this is repetitive.

 

[cheeseboy2]

If you took it through Pearson, they will send you an envelope in a couple of weeks and it will have your official certificate in it.

Note the difference between certificate and license.

Once you get the certificate, you'll have to get that notarized, get your fingerprinted, and sign a nice check over to the CA board of pharmacy.

Here is the link with the information
www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

I'm waiting for them still to process my license, and I sent in my completed application at the end of June. It takes a while so be patient :/
One mistake I made was when it says include a "photo" of yourself in the application, they won't take scanned and printed pictures unless its photo quality on photo paper.

I'm not sure about the continuing education stuff... you may have to ask a licensed pharm tech

Good luck with everything!

 

[pharm B]

You are responsible for obtaining 20 hours of CE (continuing education). This can be achieved a number of ways. If you google "pharmacy tech CE", you should see myriad free options pop up.

One good thing about being a student: Any one life science course (including chem and bio) taken counts as 15 hours of CE! You should be able to knock out the other 5 pretty easily. In 2 years. (or an hour 😀 )

 

[Hien]

Hi
I also want to ask: do you need to take technician training to be able to get the license? My friend told me she took at vocational school(4 months), but I saw a lot of you did the different way. Any advise? And will it be different at CA?

 

[pharm B]

Search the forums and you'll find the normal path for certification is just signing up and taking the exam. There are numerous threads already on here that should be able to help guide you.

 

[kevintech]

Follow chesseboy's post for California.

 

[Passion4Sci]

I just passed the PTCB exam yesterday but now I am a bit lost on what to do next...are they going to send me a certificate soon and do I have to pay for a license? Also, I heard that by doing 20 hours of pharmtech relative stuff, I won't have to retake the exam in two years- is this true? I reside in california by the way.


I read some information on this in one of these forums in the past but can't seem to find that thread anymore- so sorry if this is repetitive.

Right - The easy part is done, now you get to tackle California's bureaucracy.

You'll need to get Live Scan fingerprinted, which all told will run you about $72, and you'll need to get a passport photo (2x2) taken, another 20 bucks (I got mine done at the post office). Then $50 for the check that you mail to the BOP. And heaven help you if you've had any traffic violations, convictions or whatever that you need to disclose on item # 6, because they'll require all copies of "relevant" court documents which I believe includes "notice to appear" and stuff, which can be really difficult to get if it was 8 or 9 years in the past.

Then once you send your little packet, if there's a field blank for whatever reason like your "address of record" is not different from your "residence" then write N/A or something, because they'll mail the damn thing back as "incomplete" otherwise.

Hien, defer to priest's advice there, the search will help you a lot. Short answer: No, you do NOT need the schooling to get your license in CA.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

If you took it through Pearson, they will send you an envelope in a couple of weeks and it will have your official certificate in it.

Note the difference between certificate and license.

Once you get the certificate, you'll have to get that notarized, get your fingerprinted, and sign a nice check over to the CA board of pharmacy.

Here is the link with the information
www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

I'm waiting for them still to process my license, and I sent in my completed application at the end of June. It takes a while so be patient :/
One mistake I made was when it says include a "photo" of yourself in the application, they won't take scanned and printed pictures unless its photo quality on photo paper.

I'm not sure about the continuing education stuff... you may have to ask a licensed pharm tech

Good luck with everything!

You may already be licensed. Just check the the CA state board of pharmacy website. Go the the area called "Verify a License" under the left hand menu "Quick Hits". Enter your information and you should come up as being licensed.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Right - The easy part is done, now you get to tackle California's bureaucracy.

You'll need to get Live Scan fingerprinted, which all told will run you about $72, and you'll need to get a passport photo (2x2) taken, another 20 bucks (I got mine done at the post office). Then $50 for the check that you mail to the BOP. And heaven help you if you've had any traffic violations, convictions or whatever that you need to disclose on item # 6, because they'll require all copies of "relevant" court documents which I believe includes "notice to appear" and stuff, which can be really difficult to get if it was 8 or 9 years in the past.

Then once you send your little packet, if there's a field blank for whatever reason like your "address of record" is not different from your "residence" then write N/A or something, because they'll mail the damn thing back as "incomplete" otherwise.

Hien, defer to priest's advice there, the search will help you a lot. Short answer: No, you do NOT need the schooling to get your license in CA.

You don't need a passport photo. I took my picture with a digicam, put the picture on a usb, went to kinkos, and printed out the correct size on their picture machine thing. I think that cost me $2. Maybe $3.


Dont forget to check of DOJ AND FBI for the fingerprint section. I forgot to check FBI. Luckily I was able to correct it the very next day and my application wasn't delayed.

 

[Passion4Sci]

You don't need a passport photo. I took my picture with a digicam, put the picture on a usb, went to kinkos, and printed out the correct size on their picture machine thing. I think that cost me $2. Maybe $3.


Dont forget to check of DOJ AND FBI for the fingerprint section. I forgot to check FBI. Luckily I was able to correct it the very next day and my application wasn't delayed.

On the new applications, both DOJ and FBI are checked for you automatically when it's printed out.

Good heads up for the digital camera photo - I wonder if a simple inkjet would work. Rather immaterial for me at this point since I figured it'd have to be "official-looking" since the rest of the application makes me feel like I time-warped a year right back to the military.

 

[pharm B]

You guys are making me feel bad. In Texas, I think I just registered on the state's website and paid $50 (which was paid back to me by Big Name Pharmacy). No fingerprints or photos, I know that for sure!

 

[Passion4Sci]

You guys are making me feel bad. In Texas, I think I just registered on the state's website and paid $50 (which was paid back to me by Big Name Pharmacy). No fingerprints or photos, I know that for sure!

I'm surprised we don't have to submit a semen sample in California.

 

[pikappee317]

That's crazy I took the test in ohio and all I had to do was register and take the test, passed it on july 25th got my cert hanging on the wall at the pharmacy. At pearson they took the picture, and did the fingerprints. Got my raise and got a check from the company for paying for the test. Glad I am not from California...