1. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam
Brooke Shiotani, Kim Pong, Jennifer Seo, Chris Nomura, Helen Louie, Derek Kuniyoshi, David Thompson

2. Pharmacy Technician Facts
Responsibilities have gone beyond “counting and pouring”
There is a ratio of 3:1 technicians to pharmacists
Currently there is no standardized certification to become a technician

3. Problem Definition
We found two main problems within the field of pharmacy technicians
No board verified standard level of knowledge
Pharmacy technician is not considered a professional career

4. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination
Is a national certification
It certifies that an individual has met certain criteria laid out by the PTCB
Drug knowledge
Mathematics
Management of pharmacy practice
Inventory control
Other basic pharmacy knowledge
Technician receives credentials (CPhT)

5. THE LAW
WAC
“To become certified as a pharmacy technician, an individual must: 1) Complete an approved pharmacy technician program; 2) Apply to board for certification. The application must include a notarized statement of program verification signed by the program director; 3) A new pharmacy technician must pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) within 3 attempts not to exceed 24 months beyond the date of birth after obtaining the license.”

6. White Paper on Pharmacy Technicians
Why is it important to have competent pharmacy technicians?
Reduce workload for pharmacists
Increases quality of pharmaceutical care
Increases patient safety

7. White Paper cont. PTCB benefits Professional Identity
Technicians remain longer in practice
Improve staff morale
Reduce medication errors
Higher productivity
Higher patient satisfaction
Salary increase

8. Higher Pay Rates for CPhTs
From: Murer, Melissa “Charting a New Course” 2002

9. States and the PTCB
Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming utilize PTCB certification
Washington and other states recognize the PTCB but do not require it

10. Stakeholders Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacists
Washington Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacies
Pharmacy Technician Schools
PTCB
Patients

11. Alternatives Criterion Alternative Technical Feasibility
Political Viability
Administrative Operability
No change +
WA state exam ~ -
Training school exam
Pharmacy exam

12. Conclusion
Lack of verified standard level of knowledge for technicians is a problem
Proposal is to require technicians to pass the PTCB exam
Benefits include:
Increasing the competency of technicians
Reducing medication errors
Improving morale
Create stable working environment

13. Resources
Rouse, Michael J. “White paper on pharmacy technicians 2002: Needed changes can no longer wait.” American Journal of Health System Pharmacists 60 (2003):37-51.
Pharmacy technicians: sesquicentennial stepping stone summits APhA; p 5
Career. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved December 1, 2003, from Merriam-Webster Online.
Washington State Board of Pharmacy. Electronic references. Retrieved December 4, 2003 from
Frequently Asked Questions. PTCB. Retrieved December 3, 2003, from PTCB online.
Long T. Current and future development with pharmacy technicians. Paper presented at APhA Annual Meeting. Washington, DC; 2003 Mar 19
Guidebook to certification. PTCB. Retrieved December 3, 2003, from PTCB online.
Accessed 12/1/03.
McRee, Tina. Pharmacy Technicians in California: Snapshot of an emerging profession : UCSF Center for the Health Professions. Available from: Accessed 12/2/03.
Murer, Melissa. Charting a New Course PTCB Presented at 37th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting