Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Certification

The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification is a nationally recognized credential offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) for pharmacy technicians. The CPhT certification is designed to test candidates’ knowledge and skills in various areas of pharmacy practice, including medication safety, pharmacology, medication order entry and processing, medication inventory management, and pharmacy law and regulations. Here is everything you need to know about the CPhT certification:

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take the CPhT certification exam, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have completed a pharmacy technician training program, or have equivalent work experience in a pharmacy setting. Candidates must also have a clean criminal record and agree to adhere to the NHA’s code of ethics.

Exam Content

The CPhT certification exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into four content areas:

Medications (46% of the exam): This section covers topics such as medication safety, pharmacology, and drug classifications.

Federal Requirements (17% of the exam): This section covers federal laws and regulations related to pharmacy practice, such as the Controlled Substances Act and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations.

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (25% of the exam): This section covers topics such as medication order entry and processing, medication inventory management, and medication error prevention.

Order Entry and Processing (12% of the exam): This section covers the processes involved in medication order entry, processing, and distribution.

Exam Format

The CPhT certification exam is a computer-based exam that is administered at Pearson VUE test centers throughout the United States. The exam is timed and candidates have 2 hours to complete the 90 questions. The exam is scored on a scale of 1,000, with a passing score of 650 or higher.

Exam Preparation

The NHA offers a variety of resources to help candidates prepare for the CPhT certification exam. These resources include:

CPhT Certification Exam Study Guide: The NHA offers an official study guide that outlines the exam content and provides tips for exam preparation.

CPhT Certification Exam Practice Test: The NHA offers an official practice test that simulates the format and content of the actual CPhT certification exam.

Continuing Education Programs: The NHA offers a variety of continuing education programs for pharmacy technicians, many of which are designed to help candidates prepare for the CPhT certification exam.

Exam Preparation Courses: Many community colleges and vocational schools offer exam preparation courses for the CPhT certification exam.

Study Guides and Books: There are many study guides and books available that are designed specifically for CPhT certification exam preparation.

Exam Cost

The cost of the CPhT certification exam is $149. This fee includes one exam attempt and the issuance of one certification upon passing the exam. Additional exam attempts and certification renewals may require additional fees.

Certification Renewal

The CPhT certification is valid for 2 years. To renew their certification, pharmacy technicians must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) during their 2-year certification period. At least 1 hour of CE must be in pharmacy law and at least 1 hour must be in patient safety. The NHA provides a list of approved CE providers and programs.

Certification Verification

Certified pharmacy technicians can verify their certification status on the NHA website. The NHA also provides certification verification to employers and state boards of pharmacy upon request.

Special Accommodations

The NHA provides special accommodations for candidates who require them due to a disability or medical condition. Candidates must submit a request for accommodations, along with supporting documentation, at the time of their application.

CPhT Exam Content Outline Update

The NHA updates the CPhT exam content outline periodically to reflect changes in the pharmacy technician field. The latest update took place in January 2020, with changes to the Medications and Patient Safety and Quality Assurance content areas. Candidates should review the latest exam content outline to ensure they are studying the most up-to-date material.