By Julia Szymanski, CPhT

Pharmacy Technician Licensure

ptcb.org

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

First and foremost, you need to take the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination)

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

Ways to study for the PTCE

• Passing score is 650 (72%), with scores ranging 300-900

• Scaled grading system: scores on different forms of the PTCE are calibrated onto a common scale

Congratulations, you passed!

CPhT

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)

http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

Send it to:

you will receive your license by mail in ~5 months

A Common Misconception: You’re not done yet!

Which route of administration has the quickest onset of action?a) IMb) IVc) POd) PR

Practice PTCE question

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

Practice PTCE question