The Helpful Knowledge for PTCE Candidates
Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is essential for anyone looking to become a certified pharmacy technician. This exam covers a wide range of knowledge and skills that are necessary for working in a pharmacy setting. For those preparing to take the PTCE, here is some helpful knowledge to keep in mind:
Understanding the Exam Format
The PTCE is a computer-based exam that consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. It is divided into nine content areas, with each area covering a specific topic related to pharmacy technician roles and responsibilities. These areas include:
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy Law and Regulations
- Sterile and Non-sterile Compounding
- Medication Safety
- Pharmacy Quality Assurance
- Medication Order Entry and Fill Process
- Pharmacy Inventory Management
- Pharmacy Information Systems Usage and Application
- Pharmacy Billing and Reimbursement
It is important for candidates to familiarize themselves with these content areas and their corresponding topics to better prepare for the exam.
Preparing for the Exam
Proper preparation is key to passing the PTCE. Here are some helpful tips for candidates:
- Review the official PTCE Candidate Guide, which contains important information about the exam, including the content outline and study resources.
- Practice with sample questions and take practice exams to get a feel for the format and types of questions that may be asked in the actual exam.
- Review basic math skills such as fractions, decimals, percentages, and basic algebra, as these are essential for pharmacy calculations.
- Study commonly used medical abbreviations, drug names, and drug classifications.
- Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations that govern pharmacy practice, including HIPAA, DEA regulations, and state-specific regulations.
- Learn about different compounding techniques and processes, including sterile and non-sterile compounding, as this is a common task for pharmacy technicians.
- Practice medication safety and error prevention techniques.
- Review inventory management and pharmacy billing and reimbursement processes.
- Make sure to get a good night’s sleep before the exam and eat a healthy breakfast to ensure you are well-rested and alert.
Taking the Exam
On the day of the exam, candidates should arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment. They should bring a valid photo ID and their PTCE admission ticket, which is available for download from their PTCB account. The exam is four hours long, and candidates will have an additional 10 minutes before and after the exam for a tutorial and a survey, respectively.
During the exam, candidates should read each question carefully and eliminate obviously incorrect answers to increase their chances of selecting the correct one. They should also pace themselves to ensure they have enough time to answer all the questions. If unsure about an answer, it is important to make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank.
After the Exam
After completing the exam, candidates will immediately receive a preliminary pass or fail score. In case of a pass, they will also receive a printout of their score report. For those who do not pass, they can retake the exam after a 60-day waiting period. It is important to carefully review the score report to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving for the retake.
Continuing Education and Renewing Certification
Once a candidate passes the PTCE and becomes a certified pharmacy technician, they will need to maintain their certification by completing a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. This ensures that certified pharmacy technicians stay up-to-date with new developments in the field and maintain their knowledge and skills.
Renewing certification also requires the payment of a renewal fee and the completion of specific recertification requirements, including the submission of a recertification application and a disclosure of any criminal or state board disciplinary actions.
Conclusion
The PTCE is a challenging exam, but with proper preparation and dedication, candidates can successfully pass it and become certified pharmacy technicians. It is important to continually review and expand your knowledge and skills in the pharmacy field and keep up-to-date with changes and developments. After all, certified pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications and improving patient outcomes.