PTCB Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) certification

The PTCB Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) certification is a specialized certification offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) for pharmacy technicians who are involved in sterile compounding. Here is everything you need to know about the CSPT certification:

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take the CSPT certification exam, candidates must have an active PTCB certification (CPhT or ExCPT), have completed at least 1 year of experience in sterile compounding, and have completed at least 10 hours of sterile compounding continuing education (CE) in the previous two years.

Exam Content

The CSPT certification exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 75 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into three content areas:

Sterile Compounding Principles and Procedures (45% of the exam): This section covers topics such as aseptic technique, sterile compounding regulations, and quality assurance.

Sterile Compounding Calculations (30% of the exam): This section covers the calculations involved in sterile compounding, such as dilutions, concentrations, and dose calculations.

Sterile Compounding Equipment and Supplies (25% of the exam): This section covers the equipment and supplies used in sterile compounding, such as laminar flow hoods, syringes, and needles.

Exam Format

The CSPT 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 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the 75 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 CSPT certification exam is $249. 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 CSPT certification is valid for 2 years. To renew their certification, pharmacy technicians must complete 5 hours of sterile compounding CE during their 2-year certification period. The PTCB provides a list of approved CE providers and programs.