So You Want To Be A Pharmacy Technician?
Missouri Law Regarding Certification, Registration and Disqualification

The state of Missouri does not have any educational or certification requirements for persons wishing to be pharmacy technicians. However, a law passed by the Missouri Legislature in 1997 requires all pharmacy technicians to register with the Missouri State Board of Pharmacy.No person will be allowed to assist a licensed pharmacist without being registered by the Board. Any person who wishes to assist a pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy may do so by filing an application with the Board and paying a fee determined by the Board.

The Board is required to maintain a disqualification list of all pharmacy technicians and applicants who have been found guilty or pleaded no contest to drug charges, fraud, misrepresentation or misconduct. No hospital or licensed pharmacy shall knowingly employ a person whose name appears on the employee disqualification list.

If you have questions about technician registration or the disqualification list, contact the Missouri State Board of Pharmacy at (573) 751-0091 or go to www.pr.mo.gov/pharmacists.asp.For information on national technician certification (CPhT), see below.

Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)

PLEASE NOTE: The Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA) and the Missouri Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT) DO NOT offer the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) - the nationally recognized CPhT certification exam. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers the exam. For information on upcoming exams or other questions related to the exam, please contact PTCB at (800) 363-8012 or go to www.ptcb.org.MPA DOES NOT have information on the exams - only study materials.

Pharmacy technicians, or those interested in becoming pharmacy technicians, may choose to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to become Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs). This voluntary, computer-based exam is given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)in Pearson Vuelocations across the country. Although Missouri law does not currently require certification for pharmacy technicians, many pharmacies encourage their technicians to become CPhTs. If you have questions about certification, consider speaking with your local pharmacist to get his/her input on the subject.

Background

In the past, pharmacists often were reluctant to delegate the routine pharmacy work to others because of an under-trained technician workforce. As a result, many pharmacists have not used their education to perform clinical pharmacy activities for which they were trained.

Today, however, practitioners in all sectors of the profession are devoting more time to pharmacy care, and they are turning more and more to pharmacy technicians to help them with functions that do not require the judgment of a licensed pharmacist. This trend has led to the formalization of the responsibilities of pharmacy technicians.The Certified Pharmacy Technician process provides a valid professional recognition and measures a standardized level of technician knowledge.Technicians have the opportunity to show their knowledge and skills by earning the CPhT designation. Pharmacists benefit by knowing CPhTs have demonstrated their knowledge and abilities through the rigorous process.Since July 1995, thousands of pharmacy technicians nationwide have led the way by earning the CPhT designation. This response strongly indicates the impact pharmacy technicians have on the health care industry.The Missouri Pharmacy Association can provide you with information explaining the exam process and certification details. Also available are CPhT study guides which help you prepare for the certification exam. These materials may be ordered using this form.If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Robyn Haney at (573) 636-7522, ext. 224 or e-mail Robyn.

Educational Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Recognition of Certification

Technicians who successfully pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination may use the initials of "CPhT" after their names. A certificate and wallet card will be sent to newly certified pharmacy technicians approximately six-to-eight weeks after sitting for the examination. Certification is valid for two years.

PTCB has created a lapel pin and uniform patch to identify CPhTs. They can be ordered from PTCB using this form.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)supports the national credentialing of pharmacy technicians across practice settings. By demonstrating mastery of knowledge and skills through the PTCB certification, pharmacy technicians are able to work more effectively with pharmacists.The methods used to develop and administer the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) are designed to promote the validity, measurement precision and integrity of the examination program. These methods follow to testing procedures relevant to certification examinations recommended in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Tests (APA, NCME, AERA; 1999).The positive interaction of the pharmacist/pharmacy technician team is critical to the delivery of pharmaceutical care in today's health care environment. The pharmacy employer, pharmacist, pharmacy technician and patient all benefit from this special relationship. The better qualified the pharmacy technician, the higher the quality of care this team may bring to the patient, and the greater the value they bring to the pharmacy. The PTCB believes that Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) are the best support for pharmacists by providing assistance with functions that ensure safe, accurate and efficient medication use but do not require the judgment of a licensed pharmacist.

The PTCB national program establishes the value of the certification process for the pharmacy technicians, employers, pharmacists and patients. The PTCB certification provides solutions to the challenges of pharmacy practice across practice settings.

Missouri Certified Pharmacy Technician (MCPhT)

NOTE: The Missouri Law Exam has been postponed until a later date pending updates. MPA plans to begin offering the exam more than once a year and in various locations. More information will be posted as it becomes available. Please check back often for updates.

A Certified Pharmacy Technician may become a Missouri Certified Pharmacy Technician by taking a Missouri law exam given by the Missouri Pharmacy Association. Those who successfully pass this exam may use the initials MCPhT after their names. The law exam tests knowledge of Missouri pharmacy law and is proctored by MPA staff at various locations (TBA) throughout the year. Having your Missouri Certification is a designation of achievement, informing pharmacists and prospective employers of your familiarity with Missouri pharmacy law. This provides reassurance that you know the correct way of performing duties within the law of pharmacy. NOTE: This certification is completely voluntary and IS NOT mandatory for Missouri pharmacy technicians.If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Robyn Haney at (573) 636-7522, ext. 224 or e-mail Robyn.

Missouri Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT)

About

The Missouri Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT) is the only Missouri-based organization dedicated to representing your interests. You are invited to join our group and help us promote greater use and awareness of a pharmacy technician's skills, as well as represent the interests of all Missouri pharmacy technicians.

We value your participation and need your enthusiasm to protect and advance the function of Missouri pharmacy technicians. Together we can make an impact on your career and on the provision of pharmacy care!

Benefits

MSPT membership entitles you to the Missouri Pharmacy Association's quarterly magazine - the Missouri Pharmacist - the opportunity to participate in continuing education programs and informational mailings. Join today and help build a solid future for your career as a pharmacy technician. 

Join

To join, please use the membership application form.To be eligible for membership, you must be working or have worked as a pharmacy technician, assisting the pharmacist by performing designated tasks and functions related to the operation of a pharmacy practice. National certification is encouraged but not required. 

PTCE Training Aids

MPA has available for purchase several books and manuals to assist you as you prepare to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Click hereto download the complete list in PDF format.

Contact MSPT

For more information, please contact Robyn Haney at (573) 636-7522, ext. 224 or e-mail Robyn.