CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician)
CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) is the nationally recognized credential earned by passing either the ExCPT (administered by NHA) or the PTCE (administered by PTCB), demonstrating competency in pharmacy technician knowledge and skills.
Exam Tip
CPhT can be earned via ExCPT (NHA) or PTCE (PTCB). Both require 20 CE hours every 2 years including 1 hour of pharmacy law. Know both pathways for the ExCPT.
What Is CPhT Certification?
CPhT stands for Certified Pharmacy Technician. It is the credential awarded to pharmacy technicians who pass a national certification exam. Two organizations offer paths to CPhT: the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) through the ExCPT, and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) through the PTCE.
Two Paths to CPhT
| Feature | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Administering body | National Healthcareer Association | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
| Exam length | 120 questions (100 scored + 20 pretest) | 90 questions (80 scored + 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours 10 minutes | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Passing score | 390 (scale 200-500) | 1400 (scale 1000-1600) |
| Domains | 3 domains | 4 domains |
| Experience path | 1,200 hours in 3 years | 500 hours in 3 years |
| Exam fee | ~$117-129 | ~$129 |
| Testing center | PSI | Pearson VUE |
CPhT Certification Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 years old (NHA); no age requirement (PTCB) |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Training | Approved program OR qualifying work experience |
| Background | No felony drug convictions |
| Exam | Pass ExCPT or PTCE |
Certification Maintenance
| Feature | NHA (ExCPT) | PTCB (PTCE) |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal period | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| CE hours required | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Pharmacy law CE | 1 hour minimum | 1 hour minimum |
| Patient safety CE | Not required | 1 hour minimum |
| Renewal fee | ~$69 | ~$49 |
Why CPhT Matters
- Required or preferred by most employers
- Many states require national certification to practice
- Higher earning potential (10-15% more than uncertified techs)
- Opens pathways to advanced certifications (CPhT-Adv from PTCB)
- Professional recognition and career advancement
Exam Alert
Understanding the CPhT credential and certification process is part of the Overview and Laws/Regulations domain on the ExCPT. Know the differences between NHA and PTCB pathways, CE requirements, and that both lead to the same CPhT designation.
Study This Term In
Related Terms
NHA and the ExCPT Exam
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is the certifying body that administers the ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians), one of two nationally recognized pathways to earn CPhT certification.
Controlled Substance Schedules
Controlled substance schedules are the DEA's five-tier classification system (Schedule I through Schedule V) that categorizes drugs based on their accepted medical use, abuse potential, and likelihood of causing dependence.
Pharmacy Calculations
Pharmacy calculations are the mathematical operations pharmacy technicians must perform to accurately process prescriptions, including dosage conversions, day supply calculations, concentration and dilution problems, and percentage calculations.
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