PTCB plans major update to certification requirements

Abstract

The group that has certified nearly 500,000 pharmacy technicians is introducing new requirements to the process of obtaining and maintaining the certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) credential. “What we’re doing here is raising the bar,” said Everett McAllister, executive director and chief executive officer of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). “The goal is to always focus on the patients. That’s always the ultimate goal.” PTCB’s certification requirements have been essentially unchanged since 1995, when the organization was founded. ASHP is one of the five pharmacy organizations that govern PTCB. In general, McAllister said, the revised certification plan will allow technicians to assume greater responsibility for distributive processes, which will allow pharmacists to spend more time taking care of patients. “When you free up pharmacists to do that, [we] believe it improves patient outcomes,” he said. PTCB is accepting comments on its plan through May 2013. McAllister emphasized that his organization wants to hear from a variety of stakeholders, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, state pharmacy boards, professional associations, and employers.