What Is The Difference Between a Certified and Registered Pharmacy Technician?

The role of a pharmacy technician is to help pharmacists run a pharmacy, performing various tasks from answering phone calls to processing payments to dispensing medication to patients. Their job description is directly tied to their role within the pharmacy and what the pharmacists asks them to do.

So what’s the main difference between a certified and a registered or licensed pharm tech?

There isn’t much of a difference in terms of the eligibility requirements for both which includes having a high school diploma and passing a criminal investigation check. The main difference is that to get certified, you need to pass an exam. Let’s examine briefly the processes of each.

To become certified you need to pass a board exam issued by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and certification while not required is valid on all 50 states. Application can be done online and the fee is currently $129.00 for the pharmacy technician test.

To become licensed or registered, you have to apply to the board of pharmacy in a state you wish to practice in, submit all the documentary requirements needed and pass a background investigation. A number of states do not have online application, and forms will need to be sent it by snail mail. Fees vary depending on the state you wish to apply in. License or registration however, isn’t valid in all states unlike certification which is valid in all states. Take note however that certification isn't a requirement in all jurisdictions.

Suppose you want to transfer to a different state and practice, you will need to notify the board of the state that you are leaving. Failure to do so would result in penalties which can be very stiff. These are the main differences of certification and registration. Again, certification is valid across all 50 states while registration is only valid in the state you applied with.

What are the advantages of being certified?

The main advantage of having certification is that it adds cred to your resume. It gives you the advantage of having additional knowledge and practical information as a pharmacy technician that can land you better paying jobs, the difference isn’t too big though, maybe around one to three dollars more per hour but opportunities will abound in the future to certified technicians who can maintain their certification through continuing education every two years. You will also have the opportunity in going into more lucrative jobs like becoming a nuclear pharmacy technician or as a researcher for a pharmaceutical company.

Take note that in several states having pharmacy technician certification is a requirement, so it will be best to check with your local pharmacy board for this requirement in your state.

On a final note, visit Benjamin Clifford’s site that discusses about the various topics on how to become pharmacy technician.