Have you ever thought, “Do I really need to pass the PTCB exam to get ahead?” or worrying, “What if I fail–will it kill my career before it even begins?”
If you’re currently employed as a pharmacy technician or just about to start your career, the thought of taking an exam may feel like additional stress that you don’t need.
However, passing the PTCB test can alter the entire course of your career, starting from the money you earn to the jobs you are given. Let’s discuss it.
Why the PTCB Exam Matters More Than You Think
In certain areas, it is possible to become a pharmacy tech without having to be a pharmacy tech.
Then why do you bother?
Because the market is highly competitive.
Employers have a lot of CVs to sort through, and they’re seeking candidates who stand out.
A PTCB certification can perform three vital actions for your business:
- Demonstrates your abilities. You’ve been recognized as an expert. You’re not simply saying you’re competent enough, but being able to pass a national examination.
- Establishes trust with employers. They will know that you are the standard they can rely on.
- It gives you leverage when it comes to negotiations. Paying or requesting promotions is much easier if you’re certified.
When employers make a choice between a person with proof or those who don’t, the one with evidence wins nearly every time.
How Passing Can Boost Your Career Fast
When you have passed the PTCB test, you move up.
It’s more than just getting a certificate on your wall. It’s about what comes in the future.
This is what I’ve seen over and over again:
- Higher pay – In the US, pharmacy technicians who are certified typically earn more PS2-PS5 per hour. This adds up quickly.
- Better opportunities. Specialty pharmacies, hospitals and major retail chains are looking for employees who are certified first.
- Opportunities to grow, Chances to get a hand in more complicated tasks, ranging from compounding medicines to managing delicate prescriptions.
The exam’s success isn’t just about a personal victory.
It’s a way to boost your career.
A Real Example That Says It All
I know a technician who worked in the same pharmacy position for 5 years.
She was punctual and never missed a deadline and always punctual, but she was stuck with the same rate of pay.
There are no promotions.
There are no new issues.
She decided to sit for the PTCB test.
She took two months to study, and within weeks, she received an offer from a pharmacy in a hospital with a pay increase of 20.
Did her abilities magically get better over the course of a day?
No.
That piece of paper led to doors that had been closed for years.
Why Employers Care So Much
If you’re wondering how employers give so much weight to the PTCB here’s the reason:
From a business perspective, it is a risk to hire.
They don’t want bets on someone who could not be suited for the task.
A PTCB certificate states:
- You’ve mastered the material.
- You are aware of the law governing pharmacies and security.
- You can trust medical care and the precision of prescriptions.
Also, certification reduces the risk for them.
This is a better bet than a person who doesn’t have it.
Long-Term Career Benefits
The PTCB isn’t only about getting the next job. It’s about building an industry that will grow with you.
After obtaining your certification, you are able to be able to move into positions such as:
- The lead pharmacy technician is responsible for managing other technicians and operations.
- Specialized roles, such as nuclear or oncology.
- Training or mentoring helps techs who are new to their own examinations.
Additionally, when the economy is down or a company is restructuring, employees who are certified are typically retained over non-certified employees.
It’s job security in a highly competitive market.
What the PTCB Exam Actually Covers
If you’ve not yet looked at the test, here’s a quick outline:
- Medical Medications: Names, Uses, classifications, and the consequences.
- Federal laws and regulations that you have to follow.
- Quality assurance and safety for patients. The goal is to avoid errors and protect the health of patients.
- Processing and entering orders. Accurately processing prescriptions from beginning to end.
Yes, it’s quite a bit.
It’s the same stuff you’ll encounter in the real world of pharmacy.
How to Prepare Without Burning Out
If I were forced to begin from scratch and complete the test within 30 days or less, this is how I’d approach it
- Download your copy of the PTCB study guide. Do not waste your time trying to guess what’s going to be on the test.
- Practice 20-30 questions each day – increase your speed and identify your weak areas.
- Do your homework in short bursts of time – for 25 minutes on and five minutes off, in order to prevent mental fatigue.
- Making sure you review your mistakes before fixing them is the most efficient method of improving.
- Test conditions every week (timed, no cell phones, no distractions.
It’s not about getting the night prior to.
It’s all about establishing a consistent routine that allows you to walk into on the day of your exam feeling prepared.
Breaking the “I’ll Do It Later” Cycle
Many techs skip studying for the PTCB because they’re busy or believe they’ll do it “next month.”
The issue?
The next month is the one that will be the next year.
While you wait, others are becoming certified, getting the best jobs, and advancing.
The moment you pass the exam, you will start reaping the benefits earlier.
My Final Take
The success of the PTCB test is similar to obtaining a master key.
If you don’t have it, you’ll still unlock some doors, but not all.
It means that the most lucrative opportunities in pharmacy are now at hand.
It’s not simple.
It’s not like staying in the same position for a while.
If you’re seeking better pay as well as better jobs and greater certainty in your career as a pharmacy professional, the most efficient way to go is easy–pass the test.
Since at all times, taking the PTCB test will increase your chances of success in the pharmacy field isn’t something that’s a mystery.
It’s the only thing that transforms “just another tech” into “the tech they can’t afford to lose.”
