The Exam for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) certification is a nationally recognized credential offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for pharmacy technicians. The ExCPT 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 ExCPT certification:

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take the ExCPT 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 ExCPT certification exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into four content areas:

Medications (35% of the exam): This section covers topics such as medication safety, pharmacology, and drug classifications.

Federal Requirements (19% 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 (27% 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 (19% of the exam): This section covers the processes involved in medication order entry, processing, and distribution.

Exam Format

The ExCPT 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 and 30 minutes to complete the 120 questions. The exam is scored on a scale of 1,000, with a passing score of 500 or higher.

Exam Cost

The cost of the ExCPT certification exam is $117. 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 ExCPT 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.