| You want to make the most of your career. Your | | | | The good news is that the pharmaceutical industry |
| online course prepares you to sit for the PTCB | | | | needs pharmacy technicians - Employment is |
| exam, but you don't know if you should take the | | | | expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to |
| extra step. What exactly is certification? And how will | | | | 2016, which is much faster than the average for all |
| it help your career? | | | | occupations. And today, more employers are requiring |
| Certification is defined as "the process by which a | | | | certification. You will find that many job postings |
| non-governmental association or agency grants | | | | require candidates who are either already certified or |
| recognition to an individual who has met certain | | | | are currently enrolled in a program. |
| predetermined qualifications specified by that | | | | Once you pass the national PTCB, you can use the |
| association or agency." It is a designation that is | | | | designation "CPhT" after your name. A certificate and |
| earned through preparation and formal testing. Having | | | | wallet card will be sent to you six to eight weeks |
| your certification means that you have passed the | | | | after you take the examination. Certification is valid |
| exam administered by the Pharmacy Board and | | | | for two years. During this time, you must complete |
| currently possess the knowledge to work as a | | | | 20 hours of continuing education to maintain your |
| highly-competent pharmacy technician. | | | | certification. |
| 1. Enroll in an accredited pharmacy technician program | | | | The good news is that when you pass the PTCB |
| 2. Prepare for and take the Certified Pharmacy | | | | examination, you earn national certification that is |
| Technician Exam (CPhT) | | | | recognized and valid nationwide. Regulations to work |
| 3. Pass the exam | | | | in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician vary from |
| 4. Complete continuing education | | | | state to state, so you should check your particular |
| As a certified technician, you will be prepared to | | | | state to find out what rules apply to your pharmacy |
| work with licensed pharmacists and provide even | | | | technician career. |
| greater patient care and service. Also, you will most | | | | With increasing competition in the job market, you |
| likely find that there are greater job opportunities | | | | should take the extra step to stand out in your |
| available to you if you are nationally certified. This is | | | | pharmacy technician career. Apply the knowledge |
| because they trust the PTCB certification and know | | | | you learn in your pharmacy technician online course |
| that if you have earned it, you have a solid | | | | to pass the certification exam. Not only will you add |
| educational background as well as understanding of | | | | valuable credentials to your resume, but you will open |
| the pharmacy technician career and processes and | | | | the door to opportunities nationwide. |
| procedures involved with it. | | | | |