In the State of Michigan, Pharmacy technicians (who want to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer better patient care and service need to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). They will then earn the national certification of PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Upon completion of this certification, they will need to register with the Michigan Board of Pharmacy.
More information: How long does Pharmacy school take?
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for PTCB CPhT Certification, a prospective applicant must complete one of the following requirements:
1: A PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program (or completion within 60 days)
2: Equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician (min. 500 hours). This alternative path will serve experienced pharmacy technicians who were not in a position to attend a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program. Learn more.
In addition to completing a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent work experience, applicants must also satisfy the following:
• Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
• Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
• Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
• PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program Verification
CPhT applicants who are within 60 days of completing a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program will be eligible to take the PTCE. PTCB CPhT Certification will not be granted until proof of education/training completion is provided to PTCB. Examples of acceptable documentation include but are not limited to the following:
• Copy of certificate of completion indicating your name, the education/training program title, and completion date
• Letter from an education/training provider official on letterhead indicating your name, the education/training program title, and completion date
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
Candidates are required to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to earn the CPhT credential. The PTCE is a computer-based exam administered at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide. The PTCE is a 2-hour, multiple-choice exam that contains 90 questions: 80 scored questions and 10 unscored questions. Each question lists four possible answers, only one of which is the correct or best answer. Unscored questions are not identified and are randomly distributed throughout the exam. A candidate’s exam score is based on the responses to the 80 scored questions. One hour and 50 minutes are allotted for answering the exam questions and 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey.
Licensing and Regulation
Once a candidate has successfully completed the exam portion of their education and training, the next step is to submit an application with the state for certification.
All the details for pharmacy licensing procedures are found on the Michigan Board of Pharmacy website, which is a part of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) section of the Michigan.gov state site.
The MI Board of Pharmacy website serves as an up-to-date clearinghouse of information on various topics related to the practice of pharmacy in Michigan. It is full of helpful information related to aspects of one’s career and it is considered best practice to check out the website often to stay up with changes in the rules and regulations necessary for compliance.
AN IMPORTANT CHANGE IN APPLICATION PROCEDURES: The State of Michigan is longer accepting physical (paper) applications for Pharmacy Licenses. In order to make an application, interested parties will need to apply online at www.michigan.gov/miplus. The state has found that going to an online-only system provides more efficient services to those applying for a Pharmacy license. If you have an issue or a question, there is still live support available to assist you. Contact the state directly at 517-241-0199 for assistance and they can help walk you through the process. Should you have further questions, please contact the State of Michigan Licensing Support Team directly at BPLHelp@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Board of Pharmacy webpage has a wealth of information readily available for everyone associated with the pharmacy industry, no matter what level of expertise, education, and training you have achieved. All the forms are stored in a .pdf format, so a valid PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat will be required to read and use such forms. A free download is available at https://acrobat.adobe.com/
Topics under licensing information heading include:
• Reminder of Appropriate Prescribing and Dispensing
• An Online Resource for Skilled Immigrants
• Controlled Substance Automated Device Licensing Guide
• Controlled Substance Facility Licensing Guide
• Controlled Substance Individual Licensing Guide
• Drug Control Licensing Guide
• Drug Treatment Program Prescriber Licensing Guide
• How To File An Allegation
• How to Apply for Preceptor Specialty in MiPLUS
• How to Change Facility Manager or PIC in MiPLUS
• Internship Hours
• Manufacturers Licensing Guide
• Pharmacist Intern Licensing Guide
• Pharmacist Licensing Guide
• Pharmacy Approved CE Programs
• Pharmacy Licensing Guide
• Pharmacy NAPLEX and MPJE Examination
• Pharmacy Technician Licensing Guide
• Pharmacy Technician Training Programs and Examinations Approved by the Board
• Remote Pharmacy Licensing Guide
• Wholesale Distributor Licensing Guide
LICENSING APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
The Michigan Board of Pharmacy webpage also serves as a single source for all the necessary licensing applications and forms. When submitting Continuing Education correspondence, it is necessary for you to send your completed documents via email to BPL-BoardSupport@michigan.gov.
• Application for Pharmacy Technician Education-Training Program
• Application for Reclassification of Limited Licenses
• Application for Reinstatement of Revoked/Suspended License or Registration
• Certificate of Pharmacy Education
• Certified License Verification Request
• College of Pharmacy Affidavit
• Compounding Limited Quantities License Application
• How to Close a Pharmacy
• Internship Training Affidavit
• Notification of Pharmacy Operating an Automated Device at an Affiliated Location (Non-Controlled Substances)
• Pharmacy CE Program Sponsor Application
• Pharmacy Technician Application for Board Approval of Employer-Based Training Program Examination
• Pharmacy Technician Application for Board Approval of Examination by a Nationally Recognized Organization
Successful completion of this process will ensure that a Certified Pharmacy Technician will be both trained to the highest standards of their position and will be recognized as a valued member of the health care delivery system.
Additional School Topics:
- Does Dual Enrollment work? https://www.greensproutforum.com/how-does-dual-enrollment-work/
- When should kids start Pre School?
- What is a criminal justice degree worth?