1. Pharmacy Technician Licensure
By Julia Szymanski, CPhT

2. ptcb.org

3. First and foremost, you need to take the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination)
How?
Apply for certification online at ptcb.org
Schedule your exam online or by phone once your application is approved
Take the exam at the designated testing location
Application and exam fee = $129

4. Ways to study for the PTCE
Purchase a PTCE study book
Mosby's Review for the PTCB Certification Examination, 1e (Mosby's Review Series)
$50 new on Amazon
$35 used
What you will be tested on:
• simple math (conversions, proportions)
• top 200 brands/generics and drug class
• pharmacy laws
• pharmaceutical abbreviations

5. Congratulations, you passed!
Passing score is 650 (72%), with scores ranging
Scaled grading system: scores on different forms of the PTCE are calibrated onto a common scale
CPhT

6. A Common Misconception: You’re not done yet!
Complete another application for licensure once your certificate comes in the mail (fee $80)
Live Scan Fingerprint ($20 + processing fees at UCSD Police Department)
Notarize documents (namely the PTCE certificate)
Send it to:
you will receive your license by mail in ~5 months

7. Practice PTCE question
Which route of administration has the quickest onset of action? IM IV PO PR

8. Practice PTCE question
Which route of administration has the quickest onset of action?
IM (intramuscular, i.e. an injection) IV
PO (by mouth)
PR (per rectum, i.e. a suppository)
Answer is b) An intravenous (IV) injection will result in the quickest onset of action.