Self-study becoming Pharmacy technician?

Question

Can you train yourseIf?

I mean if you study from very helpful textbooks and buy other necessary training aids.

And you decide you are ready for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam

Will they let you take the State Board exam?

Note: please share your source of information.

Answer 1

Generally no.  You must receive training from an accredited source.  However you can contact the board and see if they will consider unschooling or homeschooling in your locale.

Generally they want a BS in Chemistry from an accredited college.

I know two pharmacy techs, one in NY and the other in PA and they both hold BS in Chemistry and neither had to take a test.  One of them works in a CVS and the other in night Out Patient at Albany Med.

Ok some state have no requirements (you are exempt) while others do.

California

Effective January 1, 2004, there are only four ways to qualify for pharmacy technician registration (California Business and Professions Code section 4202). California law now requires that an applicant for a pharmacy technician permit must meet one of the following criteria:

Have obtained an associate of arts degree in pharmacy technology.

Have completed a course of training specified by the board (typically provided by employers under requirements of California Code of Regulations Section 1793.6 (provided below)).

Have graduated from a school of pharmacy approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or recognized by the board.

Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. California Code of Regulations section 1793.6 describes the training courses acceptable to the board (item 2 above).

Now if you can get Board Certified you mee the requirements.

Otherwise you need an AA

There is no GRANDFATHERING  so if you, with a HS graduate diploma, working at Rite Aide for 10 years, in 2004 you had to either get CERTFIED or go to college for 2 years to keep your job.

This can be a trend with many places.

Now a BS in Chemistry probably more than qualifies you.

I see regulation as a grown trend as in hospital LVNs can't dispense medication in most area only RNs

So I can't why some 20 year old kid with a HS diploma and 2 years training on the job can work with drugs behind the counter.

Answer 2

See if this school offers you the course and the exam.  

www.pennfoster.edu

They are home-study based.

You read all the books and then take the exam when you are ready.

Answer 3

Get this book called

Certification Review for Pharmacy Technicians

It's by Noah Reifman, R.Ph.,MS and it's the 6th edition.

This is the book that I studied with when I was getting my certificate. All I did was read the book through once and then I took the tests in the back of the book over and over and over until I had memorized the test answers. I went onto the PTCB website and signed up for the test and paid the fees to take the test. I showed up at the testing center right along with everyone else. When I took the test, it was one of the hardest tests that I had ever taken but I still passed somehow and now I'm certified. Just a tip here, learn the drugs that are in the book and learn how to do the doseage calculations. There is a lot of math on the test. So to answer your question, yes you can just take it and you don't have to take the class. Good luck with the test.

Edit: And HEY, about what that other guy above me said.... TOTAL BS. They do not require a 4 year degree. You don't even have to have a degree at all, not even one college hour. He must have thought you were talking about being a pharmacist and not a pharmacy technician. Just stick with what I told you and you'll be fine because it's exactly what I did just a year ago. Best of luck