National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

Credential: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The National Healthcare Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is an entry-level certification for professionals who support licensed pharmacists by providing medication and other healthcare products to patients. Tasks commonly performed by CPhTs include measuring medication amounts, packaging and labeling prescriptions, establishing and maintaining patient records, accepting payment for prescriptions, processing insurance claims, and managing inventory. Eligibility requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by State. To qualify for the NHA CPhT applicants must meet experience and training requirements and must also pass the exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 1 year
  • Education: High School Diploma/GED
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

11161 Overbrook Road
Leawood, KS  66211

Phone: (913) 661-5592

Fax: (913) 661-6291
Email: info@nhanow.com

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CPhT applicants are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Option 1:

CPhT applicants are required to complete an accredited or state-recognized pharmacy technician or pharmacy-related training program

Option 2:

CPhT applicants are required to complete a registered pharmacy apprentice program; NHA requires that the apprenticeship is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Option 3:

CPhT applicants are required to have military experience that includes formal pharmacy training; NHA accepts military experience offered by any branch of the U.S. Military.

*Applicants whose date of graduation or completion from their training program is five years or more prior to the date of application, also must have relevant work experience.

CPhT applicants are required to have at least 1 year of work experience with at least 1200 hours of supervised pharmacy-related work in the past 3 years.

The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential has the following other requirements:

  • CPhT applicants are required to be at least 18 years of age.

Written Exam

  • Regulations and Technician Duties (25%)
    • Overview of Technician Duties and General Information
      • The role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
      • Functions that a technician may and may not perform
      • Prescription department layout and workflow
      • Pharmacy security
      • Inventory control
      • Stocking medications
      • Identifying expired products
    • Controlled Substances
      • Difference among the controlled substances schedules
      • Refills, partial refills, filing, and prescription transfers
      • Correct procedures for handling Schedule V sales
      • Controlled Substance Act
      • DEA numbers
    • Other Laws and Regulations
      • Federal privacy act
      • Generic substitution (incl. brand vs. generic products)
      • Professionals with prescribing authority (and acronyms)
      • Child-resistant packaging
      • Role of government agencies (Board of Pharmacy, DEA, FDA, etc.)
      • Manufacturer drug package labeling
      • OTC package labeling
  • Drugs and Drug Therapy (23%)
    • Drug Classification
      • Major drug classes (e.g., analgesics, anesthetics, antibiotics, etc.)
      • Dosage forms (types, characteristics and uses)
      • Over-the-counter products
      • NDC number
    • Most Frequently Prescribed Medications
      • Brand and generic names
      • Basic mechanism of action (pharmacology) and drug classification
      • Primary indications
      • Common adverse drug reactions, interactions, & contraindications
  • Dispensing Process (52%)
    • Prescription Information
      • Information required on a valid prescription form
      • Telephoned and faxed prescriptions
      • Refill requirements
      • Patient information (age, gender, etc.)
      • Interpreting prescribers' directions for prescription labels
      • Recognizing and using common prescription abbreviations
    • Preparing/Dispensing Prescriptions
      • Avoiding errors (such as sound-alike/look-alike names)
      • Systems for checking prescriptions
      • Automated dispensing systems (including quality control)
      • Procedures for preparing prescriptions and data entry
      • Labeling prescriptions properly
      • The purpose and use of patient records
      • Proper packaging and storage
      • Managed care prescriptions
    • Calculations
      • Conversions / Systems of measurement used in pharmacy
      • Calculating the amounts of prescription ingredients
      • Calculating quantity or days supply to be dispensed
      • Calculating individual and daily doses
      • Calculations used in compounding
      • Calculating dosages and administration rates for IVs
      • Business calculations (pricing, markup, inventory control)
    • Sterile Products, Unit Dose, and Repackaging
      • Drug distribution systems used in hospitals and nursing homes
      • Procedures for repackaging medications
      • Prescription compliance aids
      • Aseptic technique and the use of laminar flow hoods
      • Special procedures for chemotherapy
      • Routes of administration for parenteral products
      • Types of sterile products
      • Correct procedures for maintaining the sterile product environment
      • Accurate compounding and labeling of sterile product prescriptions

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by PSI. The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website:

For more information on the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The NHA-CPhT is renewed every 2 years; renewal requires earning continuing education units and paying a fee. More information about renewing NHA credentials is available on the NHA Renewal page.

Additional considerations for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) include:

  • The requirements for practicing as a Pharmacy Technician vary from state to state. Even though some states do not require certification, employers may. Candidates should contact the Board of Pharmacy in their state or jurisdiction for information on state-specific eligibility and recertification requirements. For information on State-specific requirements for Pharmacy Technicians, see the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) site.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Pharmacists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Pharmacists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Pharmacy Aides
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Pharmacy Aides
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Pharmacy Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Pharmacy Technicians
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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