Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pharmacy certification, continuing education, and our programs.
How do Pharmacy Technicians renew their licenses and how many CE hours are required?
Log into your PTCB Account → Certification Management → Apply for Recertification. CPhTs must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year recertification cycle. Any CE hours earned after January 1, 2015 must be in pharmacy technician-specific subject matter. For recertification: 1 hour must be in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety. For reinstatement: 2 hours in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety.
Are Pharmacy Technicians required to maintain both their PTCB certification and State Board of Pharmacy registration?
Board rules require Pharmacy Technicians to have a current PTCB certification for initial registration. Once registered with TSBP, technicians may choose whether to maintain their PTCB certification. Two key advantages of maintaining it: you will not be subject to CE audits by TSBP, and the PTCB certification is recognized nationally if you move to another state.
Why is the Pharmacist only required to get 20 CE hours versus 40 hours for Technicians for IV Certification?
The Live (hands-on) section of the program is different for each role, per the Texas Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Upon completion, Pharmacists receive 20 hours of CE total and Pharmacy Technicians receive 40 hours of CE total. The difference reflects the distinct scope of practice requirements for each credential.
Am I required to obtain additional hands-on training at the hospital after IV certification?
It depends on your situation. If you are newly hired by a hospital, you will likely be required to train at least 40 hours under direct supervision of an IV-certified lead technician or pharmacist, per hospital policy. If you are already working in a hospital and have been making IV sterile products, the National IV Certificate fulfills the State Board of Pharmacy requirement — additional training hours are generally not required unless your hospital director determines otherwise.
Can you tell me about the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCE)?
The PTCE is a computer-based exam administered at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide. It is a two-hour, multiple-choice exam with 90 questions (80 scored, 10 unscored). Each question has four possible answers with one correct answer. Unscored questions are not identified and are distributed randomly. Your score is based on the 80 scored questions. You have 1 hour and 50 minutes for the exam questions, plus 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey. It is best to answer all questions.
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