PTCB Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to Certification Program, Survey Open Through March 31, 2012

March 28, 2012 2:08 PM Topics: Education and Pharmacy technicians

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) seeks feedback on recommended changes to the PTCB Certification Program through the C.R.E.S.T. Initiative Survey by March 31, 2012. PTCB indicates in a press release that “recommendations include the creation of specialty pharmacy technician exams and additional requirements for PTCB Certification, such as requiring a minimum period of practical experience, criminal background checks, and completion of an accredited education program.” Megan Sheahan, PharmD, PTCB director of professional affairs, stated that “Changes to the PTCB Certification Program have potential to impact hundreds of thousands of pharmacy technicians nationwide. Candidate eligibility requirements have remained largely unchanged since the organization’s founding in 1995.”

The survey is part of the C.R.E.S.T. Initiative, which began in 2011 with a summit focused on the areas of consumer awareness, resources, education, state policy, and testing relating to pharmacy technicians. Summit participants, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, educators, employers, and state boards of pharmacy, expressed the need for the profession to make decisions on the future of pharmacy technicians.

The C.R.E.S.T. Initiative Survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will remain open through March 31, 2012. PTCB notes that all responses are anonymous. Additional information about the C.R.E.S.T. Initiative is available on the PTCB Web site.