Introduction to Pharmacy Technology
Foundations of the CPhT role and the pathway ahead.
Module overview
Pharmacy technicians are the operational backbone of every pharmacy. In this module you'll learn what a CPhT does day-to-day, how the certification exams are structured, where technicians work, and the professional standards that protect patients and your license.
What you'll learn
- 01Role and responsibilities of a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- 02Overview of the PTCB and ExCPT certification exams
- 03Career pathways and pharmacy settings
- 04Professionalism and ethics
Lessons
What a CPhT actually does
A Certified Pharmacy Technician supports the pharmacist by receiving and entering prescriptions, retrieving and counting medications, preparing labels, managing inventory, processing insurance claims, and communicating with patients about pickup, refills, and cost.
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PTCB vs ExCPT
Two national certifications are recognized across the U.S. The PTCE (PTCB) is most widely accepted; the ExCPT (NHA) covers similar material. Both are computer-based and require recertification every two years.
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Where technicians work
About 70% of CPhTs work in community/retail pharmacy. The rest split between hospital, long-term care, mail-order, compounding, managed care, and specialty pharmacy.
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Professionalism and ethics
Pharmacy is a trust profession. Patients hand you their most private health information and expect accuracy every time.
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Key terms
- CPhT
- Certified Pharmacy Technician — credential from PTCE or ExCPT.
- PTCB
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, administers the PTCE.
- Scope of practice
- Tasks a technician is legally permitted to perform in a given state.
- Continuing Education (CE)
- Approved learning hours required to maintain certification (20 hrs every 2 years).
Study tool
Flashcards
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Practice questions
- Q1Which task is OUTSIDE a pharmacy technician's scope of practice?
- Q2How many hours of CE are required every 2 years to maintain PTCB certification?
- Q3Name three settings where a CPhT can work.
Weekly study rhythm
- • Watch the module lecture video
- • Complete guided notes and flashcards
- • Take the end-of-lesson quiz
- • Practice pharmacy calculations daily
- • Take a mock exam every two modules