The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s driving certifying association for chemistry professionals, will soon offer online proctored exam performance of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This test control option makes testing available for candidates seeking to earn their Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential during COVID-19. Online proctored exam delivery allows applicants to take an exam from their computer under the practical administration of a live proctor using security characteristics such as face-matching technology, ID verification, browser lockdown, and recordings.
PTCB expects to launch the online performance of the PTCE in May, and will soon follow with online delivery of the Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Exam, Technician Product Verification Certificate (TPV) Exam, and Medication History Certificate Exam.
Restore testing services
“Pharmacy professionals on the front lines during this national emergency need trial opportunities so they can earn their certifications,” stated William Schimmel, PTCB managing director, and CEO. “Online proctoring is a way we can restore testing services for technicians who are eager to move forward with their credentials at a time when they are needed to care for patients.”
Besides, beginning April 16, PTCB will resume in-person test delivery on a limited basis at about 150 select examination center locations for pharmacy technicians as essential service providers.
The centers will follow strict management guidelines for hygiene and social distancing, with limits on the number of individuals born in a center at one time. Almost all other PTCB test treatment centers, totaling more than 1,250 across the US, have been temporarily blocked due to COVID-19 since late March.
Professional Support
To further support engineers during COVID-19, PTCB has reduced credential exam fees for new candidates and for technician organizations and administrators who want to pay their technicians’ fees.
New candidates save more than 10% on credential prices, and companies registered in PTCB Direct Billing details can save between 15% and 40% per applicant, including abandoned application fees for CSPT certification.
Direct Billing is a manageable process for organizations to pay for medical professionals to earn or renew PTCB credentials.
Also, to support professionals seeking work as well as employers hiring professionals, PTCB is offering open postings of open spaces on PTCB Career Center to help companies hire the CPhTs they demand to provide an enhanced level of inpatient care during the pandemic.
Priorities for pandemic period
During this time, PTCB has started a new Continuing Education (CE) register where CPhTs can find free CE applications that are required for replacing their credentials. All CE programs listed are ACPE-accredited. Education providers can visit the online program to submit their free CE lists to be held for inclusion.
Many CPhTs are facing new hurdles in their drugstore workplaces due to COVID-19, and PTCB invites them to submit their stories online. PTCB may share their workplace accounts on social media and the PTCB website to establish relationships within the community at this trying time.
“PTCB is committed to serving medicine professionals, managers, educators, and the pharmacy agreement during COVID-19 to strengthen our nation’s chemistry teams who are carrying out critical work,” said Schimmel. “All our actions at this time aim to improve medication safety and outpatient care. This proceeds to be our top priority during the trial period.”
