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Medical Tests PTCE Exam Overview:
| Certification Vendor: | PTCB |
| Exam Name: | Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam |
| Exam Number: | PTCE |
| Available Languages: | English |
| Certificate Validity Period: | 2 Years (Renewable with CE) |
| Passing Score: | 1400 (Scaled Score) |
| Real Exam Qty: | 90 (80 scored, 10 unscored) |
| Exam Format: | Multiple-choice |
| Related Certifications: | CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) |
| Exam Duration: | 120 minutes |
| Exam Price: | USD 129 |
| Sample Questions: | Medical Tests PTCE Sample Questions |
| Exam Way: | Computer-based (Online proctored or In-person at Pearson VUE) |
| Pre Condition: | Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program OR 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician. |
| Official Syllabus URL: | https://ptcb.org/credentials/certification/certified-pharmacy-technician |
Although this may not sound like the hardest job in the world, being a pharmacy technician isn't easy, as the work these people do directly affects the health of others. Therefore, it is vitally important that people hired as pharmacy technicians are qualified for this job. This is why more and more pharmacies and pharmacy chains expect their employees to have a valid PTCB credential.
PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
A PTCB Certification board exam is the professional exam validating the skills and knowledge candidates need to work as pharmacy technicians. It tests their knowledge in English, Math, Science (Chemistry) and professional aspects of their job.
Who is a pharmacy technician? Sometimes known as a pharmaceutical technician, pharmacy technician is a health care provider who performs pharmacy-related functions, generally working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Job duties include dispensing prescription drugs and other medical devices to patients and instructing on their use. They may also perform administrative duties in pharmaceutical practice, such as reviewing prescription requests with doctor's offices and insurance companies to ensure correct medications are provided and payment is received.
Reference: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/certified-pharmacy-technician#prepare-apply
Medical Tests PTCE Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Section | Weight | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | 35% | - Therapeutic duplications - Indications of medications - Drug stability (e.g., oral suspensions, insulins, reconstitutables, injectables, vaccinations) - Common or severe medication side effects, adverse effects, and allergies - Proper storage of medications (e.g., temperature, light, humidity) - Common or life-threatening drug interactions and contraindications - Generic names, brand names, and classifications of medications - Strengths/doses, dosage forms, routes of administration, special handling and administration instructions, and duration of drug therapy |
| Federal Requirements | 15% | - DEA and FDA schedules, requirements, and forms - Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) - Controlled substance and non-controlled prescription records - Restricted drug programs and Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) - Prescription processing requirements |
| Order Entry and Processing | 22.5% | - Formulas, calculations, ratios, proportions, conversions - Sig codes, abbreviations, medical terminology, and symbols - Days supply, quantity, dose, and refills - Pharmacy billing and reimbursement (e.g., Third-party plans, Medicare Part D, prior authorization) - Electronic health records and pharmacy information systems |
| Patient Safety and Quality Assurance | 27.5% | - Types of prescription errors - Event reporting procedures (e.g., medication errors, adverse effects, product integrity, MedWatch, VAERS) - Proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., chemotherapy) - Medication safety practices - Infection prevention procedures and cleaning standards |
By Dean
