Technicians
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have one of the closest working relationships in health care. OPA believes both pharmacists and technicians move forward together when advancing patient care. For pharmacists to practice at the top of their license, pharmacy technicians must also be practicing at the top of theirs. OPA looks to advance and elevate the role technicians play in the pharmacy through professional offerings geared to their role and the advancement of pharmacy.
The Ohio Pharmacists Association is proud to offer pharmacy technicians membership within the Association. This membership is designed to support the unique needs of pharmacy technicians by fostering professional growth, building a strong network, and providing exclusive resources within the pharmacy community.
May 31: On-Demand Spring Pharmacy Technician Seminar CPE
OPA Spring 2025 Pharmacy Technician Education Seminar ON DEMAND
For the first time, OPA is offering on-demand continuing pharmacy education (CPE) from our Spring Seminar. Earn up to 5.5 hours of CPE credit. Watch recordings and submit pharmacy technician CPE credit through our online platform, LecturePanda. Topics include patient safety, law review, immunization, best practices, preparedness, and team building. This event is offered through May 31, 2026, which coincides with Ohio Registered Pharmacy Technician renewal period.
Continuing Education
Live Programming
The Ohio Pharmacists Foundation offers live seminars to meet the specific continuing education needs of pharmacy technicians. Details and registration for future seminars will be available here when they are scheduled.
Home-Study CE
The Ohio Pharmacist journal is an OPA member benefit and offers home-study continuing pharmacy education (CPE) lessons and quizzes which are available to be graded and submitted online. This gives OPA members 24/7 access to the home-study CPE and quiz to submit credit, whether you have misplaced an issue of the journal or want a convenient method to complete the quiz while away from home.
Earn up to 5.5 contact hours of continuing education credit, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. Additional programming includes USP 797, conflict resolution, immunization updates, and navigating drug shortages. This home-study continuing pharmacy technician education will be available through May 31, 2026. Click here to register.
For Ohio rules on pharmacy technician continuing education requirements, visit: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4729%3A3-5 .
For FAQs on pharmacy technician CE, visit: https://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/Documents/Licensing/PTech/General/Pharmacy%20Technician%20Continuing%20Education.pdf
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): https://www.ptcb.org/
PTCB Certification Brochure
PTCB 20-Year Anniversary Film
2215 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20037-2985
Fax: 202-429-7596
www.ptcb.org/contact
Advanced Certifications:
Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT): https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/certified-compounded-sterile-preparation-technician
CPhT-Adv: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/advanced-certified-pharmacy-technician-cpht-adv
PTCB Certificates:
Billing and Reimbursement: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/billing-and-reimbursement-certificate
Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/controlled-substances-diversion-prevention-certificate
Hazardous Drug Management: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/hazardous-drug-management-certificate
Immunization Administration: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/immunization-administration-certificate
Medication History: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/medication-history-certificate
Medication Therapy Management: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/medication-therapy-management-certificate
Nonsterile Compounding: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/nonsterile-compounding-certificate
Point-of-Care Testing: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/point-of-care-testing-certificate
Regulatory Compliance: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/regulatory-compliance-certificate
Supply Chain and Inventory Management: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/supply-chain-and-inventory-management-certificate
Technician Product Verification: https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/technician-product-verification-certificate
Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties (BPTS)
Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties (BPTS): https://bpts.org/
Advanced Certifications:
CPhT-Adv: https://bpts.org/credentials/advanced-certified-pharmacy-technician-cpht-adv/
Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacy Technician (BCSCPT): https://bpts.org/credentials/board-certified-sterile-compounding-pharmacy-technician/
Board Certified Nonsterile Compounding Pharmacy Technician (BCNCPT): https://bpts.org/credentials/board-certified-nonsterile-compounding-pharmacy-technician/
BPTS Certificates
Billing & Reimbursement: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/billing-reimbursement-certificate/
Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/controlled-substances-diversion-prevention-certificate/
Hazardous Drug Management: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/hazardous-drug-management-certificate/
Immunization Administration: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/immunization-administration-certificate/
Medication History: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/medication-history-certificate/
Medication Therapy Management: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/medication-therapy-management-certificate/
Point-of-Care Testing: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/point-of-care-testing-certificate/
Regulatory Compliance: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/regulatory-compliance-certificate/
Supply Chain Management: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/supply-chain-management-certificate/
Technician Product Verification: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/technician-product-verification-certificate/
Veterinary Pharmacy: https://bpts.org/credentials/assessment-based-certificates/veterinary-pharmacy/
State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy Information
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy requires registered pharmacy technicians to renew their registration and report continuing education by March 31 of every even year (i.e., 03/31/2022, 03/31/2024). Certified pharmacy technicians must renew their registration with the board of pharmacy by September 30 of every even year (i.e., 09/30/2022, 09/30/2024)..
All registered technicians need to complete 10 contact hours (1.0 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education during the 24 months preceding the expiration date of the technician’s registration. Of the 10 contact hours, two hours (0.2 CEU) must cover the subject of pharmacy jurisprudence and two hours (0.2 CEU) must cover patient or medication safety topics. One-third of the continuing education requirements may be met by volunteering with an approved in-state provider of volunteer healthcare services (see ORC 4745.04 for more information).
Certified pharmacy technicians must complete all CE requirements to maintain their certification by an organization recognized by the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Currently, technicians certified by PTCB or ExCPT exams must complete 20 hours of CE every two years, including one hour each of law and patient/medication safety.
For more information on Pharmacy Technician registration, visit the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. ----
CE Renewal Requirements per Technician level
Ohio Pharmacy Technician Trainee: Pharmacy technician trainees are not required to complete any continuing education requirements.
Ohio Registered Technician: All registered pharmacy technicians are required to complete a total of ten contact hours (1.0 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education during the 24 months preceding the expiration date of the technician’s registration (i.e., 24 months prior to the March 31st renewal deadline).
Continuing pharmacy education must be in pharmacy technician-specific subject matter and shall include the following:
- Two contact hours (0.2 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education in the subject of pharmacy jurisprudence (law); and
- Two contact hours (0.2 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education in the subject of patient or medication safety.
NOTE: Continuing education may only be obtained from the following providers:
▪ A pharmacy jurisprudence program (see Q5 of this document).
▪ An Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited continuing education provider.
Additionally, a registered pharmacy technician may satisfy up to one-third of the technician’s continuing education requirements by providing health care services as a volunteer in accordance with 4745.04 of the Revised Code. For rules on pharmacy technician continuing education requirements, visit: http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4729%3A3-5
TLDR: Total of 10 hours of CE (1.0 CEUs), including 2 hours of Law (03) and 2 hours of Med Safety (05)
Ohio Registered Technician current renewal cycle: April 1, 2024- March 31, 2026
Ohio Certified Pharmacy Technician: Certified pharmacy technicians are required to complete all continuing education requirements necessary to maintain a pharmacy technician certification (ExCPT or PTCB). A certified technician is not required to complete the ten contact hours that are required for a registered pharmacy technician.
Ohio Certified Technician current renewal cycle: October 1, 2024- September 30, 2026
CE Renewal Requirements per Certifying Body
NHA CPhT:
20 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
CE credit must be related to pharmacy technician practice
Required:
- 1 hour Law (03)
- 1 hour Med Safety (05)
Additional ways to earn CE credit:
In-Service Training
The CPhT Continuing Education Form can be used to document your completion of in-service training programs or projects.
In-service training programs may be:
- CE programs for which you do not have a Certificate of Participation
- Other training or projects completed under the supervision of a pharmacist in which you developed new knowledge or skills to improve your abilities as a pharmacy technician
- Your supervising pharmacist must complete and sign the ExCPT Continuing Education Form for you to receive credit. A maximum of 10 hours of CE is allowed using the ExCPT Continuing Education Form.
College Courses
Any college course in the following topics will be accepted:
- Mathematics
- Life sciences
- Pharmaceutical sciences
Applicable college courses with a grade of "C" or better also are eligible for CE credit at the rate of 15 CE hours for each 3 credit-hour course offered on a semester basis (i.e., three hours a week for 15 weeks). Courses offered on a quarterly basis will be credited for 15 hours for a 4 credit-hour course (i.e., four hours per week for approximately 11 weeks). A college transcript is an acceptable Certificate of Participation.
PTCB CPhT:
20 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
Required: 1 hour Law (03)
1 hour Med Safety (05)
15 hours of T-specific
Allowed up to 5 hours of P-specific
PTCB CPhT & CSPT:
20 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
Required: 1 hour Law (03)
1 hour Med Safety (05)
10 hours of Compounding (07)
10 hours of T-specific
Allowed up to 10 hours of P-specific
CSPTs must submit an annual attestation form
PTCB CPhT-Adv:
25 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
Required: 1 hour Law (03)
1 hour Med Safety (05)
15 hours of T-specific
Allowed up to 10 hours of P-specific
PTCB CPhT-Adv & CSPT:
25 hours per 2-year renewal cycle
Required:
- 1 hour Law (03)
- 1 hour Med Safety (05)
- 10 hours of Compounding (07)
- 10 hours of T-specific
- Allowed up to 15 hours of P-specific
- CSPTs must submit and annual attestation form
BPTS CPhT-Adv:
25 hours of ACPE-accredited continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
BPTS BCSCPT:
10 hours of sterile compounding specific (07) ACPE-accredited continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
BPTS BCNCPT:
10 hours of non-sterile compounding specific (07) ACPE-accredited continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle
Employer-Based Technician Training Program
Employer-Based Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Are you an employer who needs to train technicians and wonders how to meet the board of pharmacy requirements for an employer-based training?
OPA now offers two Employer-Based Pharmacy Technician Training Programs for purchase by a pharmacist.
1. OPA’s Training Program for Registered Pharmacy Technicians in Ohio
The OPA Pharmacy Technician Training Program will help walk your pharmacy technician trainees through the steps of becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician in Ohio. You can buy this program complete with a training protocol, worksheets for major areas of testing and a program satisfaction survey, this program will help make sure your technicians are adequately trained to meet state board standards. A sample exam and template for certificate of completion of the training are also included.
The materials in this training program supplement resources you may already use for teaching medical and pharmaceutical terminology, symbols, federal and state laws/regulations that affect pharmacy practice, your pharmacy’s QA training, etc. If you need resources for medical terminology and symbols, law, etc. the Pharmacy Certified Technician Training Manual is available for purchase on the OPA website under Study Resources under the Technician tab.
OPA Member price: $99 OPA Non-member cost: $150
Order OPA's Pharmacy Technician Training Program Now
Reference: The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy requirements for an employer-based training program can be found in rule 4729:3-3-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code (http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4729:3-3-02v1)
2. PassAssured Employer-Based Training Program for Certified Pharmacy Technicians
Tech Certification by PassAssured!
OPA is pleased to announce the availability of a Pharmacy Technician education resource to aid technicians in achieving the goal of becoming a PTCB or ExCPT certified pharmacy technician. The PassAssured Pharmacy Technician Training Program offers a one-year license and features:
- Interactive Multimedia, Self-paced Learning Experience
- 240 Hours of Curriculum
- 1,200 Question Sets in Testing Database
- Computer and Tablet based
- Completely Online
- Completely preps for the national certifying exams
- Use wherever there is internet
- Meets the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s didactic requirement for on-the-job training
- The supervising pharmacist has the ability to track the technician’s progress while he/she is completing the program
- The PassAssured product is also used in the Ohio public school system
The cost of the PassAssured program is only $299, tax included.
Order Employer-Based PassAssured Pharmacy Technician Training Program Now
Additional home-study training resources are also available to order in the "Continuing Education" tab.
Exam Information
Exam Dates and Application
Go to www.ptcb.org for information regarding dates for computer-based examinations, content, practice exam, and registering on line; also includes a salary survey.
On Demand Continuous Testing for PTCB is available Monday-Friday at the following locations.
Pearson Professional Center locations for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam:
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Marion Technical College
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Pearson Professional Centers - Columbus(North)
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Mount Vernon Nazarene University
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Dublin Regional Learning Center Testing Center
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Pearson Professional Centers-Columbus (West)
To locate a center, click on the following link. Pearsonvue.com/
Study Resources and PassAssured
PassAssured
OPA is pleased to announce the availability of a Pharmacy Technician education resource to aid technicians in achieving the goal of becoming a PTCB or ExCPT certified pharmacy technician. The PassAssured Pharmacy Technician Training Program features:
- Interactive Multimedia, Self-paced Learning Experience
- 240 Hours of Curriculum
- 1,200 Question Sets in Testing Database
- Computer and Tablet based
- Completely Online
- Completely preps for the national certifying exams
- Use wherever there is internet
- Meets the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s didactic requirement for on-the-job training
- The supervising pharmacist has the ability to track the technician’s progress while he/she is completing the program
- The PassAssured product is also used in the Ohio public school system
The cost of this program is only $299, which includes tax.
For questions, please email Info@ohiopharmacists.org or call the OPA office at (614)389-3236.
Additional Studying Resources
The following home study books are also offered by the Ohio Pharmacists Foundation:
PCT Training Manual:
The PCT Training Manual is available to help prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. This comprehensive study guide is designed to assist technicians in reviewing terminology, abbreviations, calculations, pharmacology, unit dose and aseptic technique.
Price: $99.78 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
PCT Calculations Workbook:
The PCT Calculations Workbook is offered for technicians who need calculations practice, reviewing math and metric equivalents, concentrations and dilutions, dosage calculations, etc.
Price: $49.19
NOTE: Shipping and handling and Ohio sales tax are included on book order prices listed above.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Quick Study Guide, 5e is another pharmacy technician resource available from the American Pharmacists Association.
Technician Organizations
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT): https://www.pharmacytechnician.com/
AAPT provides leadership and represents the interests of its members to the public as well as health care organizations; promotes the safe, efficacious, and cost-effective dispensing, distribution and use of medications; provides continuing education programs and services to help technicians update their skills to keep pace with changes in pharmacy services; promotes pharmacy technicians as an integral part of the patient care team.
National Pharmacy Technician Association
National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA): https://cpht.org/
NPTA, the National Pharmacy Technician Association, is the world's largest professional organization established specifically for pharmacy technicians. The association is dedicated to advancing the value of pharmacy technicians and the vital roles they play in pharmaceutical care. In a society of countless associations, we believe it takes much more than a mission statement to meet the professional needs and provide the needed leadership for the pharmacy technician profession - it takes action and results.
The Pharmacy Technician Society (TPTS): https://www.pharmtechsociety.org/
