Pharmacy Technician National Certification

How To Gain The Pharmacy Technician National Certification

This certification asserts that on-demand testing should be the universal method of testing for pharmacy technician certification.

The exam for this Pharmacy Technician National Certification is a national program designed to test entry-level competencies for pharmacy technicians across all practice settings. On-demand testing allows technicians to take the credentialed exam at any time; other programs offer exams only at specific times.

Among groups supporting on-demand testing are the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association.

"We are pleased that the Pharmacy Technician National Certification exam now offers both the assurance of accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the convenience of on-demand testing," says a joint statement by NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson and NCPA executive vice president and chief executive officer Bruce Roberts.

"As the reliance on pharmacy technicians in the dispensing process grows, we believe that convenient, on-demand certification testing will be useful to meet the needs of the marketplace," the statement continues.

Pharmacists practicing in the chain drug setting as well as those who work in the independent arena consistently point to the assistance that technicians provide, leaving pharmacists more time to counsel patients.

The 110-question, two-hour exam is administered at hundreds of test facilities across the nation. Technicians get their exam results immediately.
"Given the technology we have today and the number of vendors in the market, there is no reason that on-demand testing shouldn't be available for all testing administrations", comments Ken Schafermeyer - director of education.

The Pharmacy Technician National Certification recognises pharmacy technicians who are proficient in the skills needed to help pharmacists prepare and dispense prescriptions safely and accurately.