Everything You Need To Know About The Arizona Pharmacy Technician License

March 22, 2023

Are you someone aspiring to become a pharmacy technician in Arizona but are not getting information about the Arizona pharmacy technician license exam?

Fret not, this article has all the information you need to know about the Arizona Pharmacy Technician License, from registration to exam day. You will also get a complete set of Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam preparation guides, and practice tests to help you ace the exam. Let’s get started!

STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

The first step in receiving your Pharmacy Technician license in Arizona is checking your eligibility.

The eligibility set by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for becoming a pharmacy technician is:

Arizona Pharmacy Technician License - Eligibility — Arizona Pharmacy Technician License – Eligibility

You must be 18 years of age or older.
You must be a legal resident of the US.
You must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent certificate from a school registered under the respective State Government.
You should not have any criminal records and must agree to a criminal background check. You should not have any drug-related or other violent offenses.
You must have PTCB recognized training programs or relevant experience.

The Arizona Pharmacy Board accepts the following documents as proof of high school completion:

A copy of your high school diploma.
Your high school transcripts including the date of graduation.
Your graduation confirmation from your school board or district with a date.
GED certificate, and GED results including your passing marks.

STEP 2: APPLY FOR THE ARIZONA STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY TECHNICIAN EXAM

Now that you’re eligible, it’s time to apply, and you may do so by clicking here! The process of applying may feel tedious, but this article also includes screenshots to help you apply, which may help simplify the process for you.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

All the criteria mentioned in the Eligibility process applies throughout the application process.
If you are a foreign applicant, you should have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification to submit for verification as soon as possible and have 1500 hours as a pharmacy intern in the US.

If you have questions, you should contact the exam coordinators before the application process at [email protected], and they’ll be glad to help you!

START THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Let’s get started with the application process. Now is the time to get your documents and ID proofs out and ready.

Review the criteria as mentioned above.
Provide your name, contact information, and county.
After the above step, you get a set of regulatory questions you should fill out mandatorily. These questions determine your eligibility for the next steps.

Once the above steps are completed, the entire form is shown to you for a final look before submission. Go ahead and submit it after checking everything.

STEP 3: PAY YOUR EXAM FEES

You must pay for the application fees and your exam fees as shown in the images below.

LICENSE TYPE	INITIAL APPLICATION	RENEWAL APPLICATION
Intern	$60.00	N/A
Technician (Trainee)	$60.00	N/A
Technician (PTCB or ExCPT)	$82.00	$72.00
Pharmacist (Exam/Score Transfer)	$250.00	$180.00
Pharmacist (Reciprocity)	$500.00	$180.00
Duplicate – license, permit or certificate	$10.00	N/A
Verification – license, permit or certificate	$15.00	N/A

Arizona pharmacy technician license – Fee Structure

That’s it! You successfully completed the first few steps towards procuring your Arizona Pharmacy Technician License. All that is left is the exam itself.

STEP: 4 SCHEDULE YOUR EXAMINATION

Once the application is processed, you may schedule your exam from the email sent to you from the PTCB.

Some useful information:

The examination will be for two hours with five minutes for a tutorial and survey windows.
The exam is Multiple choice and consists of 90 questions.
Once your exam is complete, the unofficial result will display on your computer screen.
The official results may take two to three weeks to appear and may be checked from your PTCB Account.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN EXAM: MUCH-NEEDED GUIDANCE

Considering the low pass rate of this exam, it is essential to understand how to prepare for it. Many can suggest that you can focus on one particular topic to score more. But success lies in studying all the portions with equal importance. The below list mentioned the four portions of the PTCB exam and their distribution pattern in the paper.

Medications (approx 40%)
Patient safety and quality assurance (26.25%)
Order entry and processing (21.25%)
Federal requirements (12.5%)

You can gather more information about how to prepare efficiently with tips and tricks here.

You may start with the PTCB guide. This will help you prepare for and ace the exams. Other study options include practice tests that are linked below.

Since the questions are multiple choice, make sure to read up on the facts and numbers.
Learn to use your time wisely by taking PTCB practice test free.
There are 10 unscored questions in the exam, but they are not identified.
Know where to find your exam center.
Check your mailbox regularly.

Apart from knowing how to prepare for the exam, your exam guidance must include the list of requisites required on the exam day. You must carry one form of identification certificate with the name same as your application form. The following forms of identification proofs are valid:

Government-Issued passport
Government-Issued Driver’s License
Government-Issued Driving Learner’s Permit
Military ID
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
US Department of Homeland Security-issued Employment Authorization Card

If your primary identification card doesn’t contain the photo and signature, you have to present one secondary form of identification. You can carry any one of these:

Social Security Card
ATM, Debit Card, credit card
Employee ID or School ID

WHAT’S NEXT:

Now that you have your license, what’s next in line for you? Pharmacy can be an intimidating field if you don’t know what you are getting into. This article will help you understand what it means to be a Pharmacy technician. Growth in this career is only limited to what you are ready to learn next.

If you ever feel lost, that’s understandable. Pharmacy is an interesting field, but it does have its peculiarities. It’s important to read about certain restrictions that you may have to adjust to in this field. However, becoming a Pharmacy Technician is a worthy career, and learning more to improve is worth it. Some of the important things to note include:

Make accuracy your strong suit. This will help you a lot in your career.
Read up on what you could improve. This could be as simple as a blog on how to be a better Pharmacy Technician.
Invest time for yourself. The more you learn, the more you grow in this profession.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Arizona Pharmacy Technician License Exams

How much do pharmacy technician make in Arizona?

As far as the State of Arizona is concerned, pharmacists can comfortably make around $37,000 per year.

Are pharmacy technician in demand?

Pharmacists are directly involved in healthcare, and it may never go out of business. The digitalization occurring in every field will impact the field, but the outcome could be greater access to information and resources for Pharmacy Technicians.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

It may be as short as four months to two years depending on your level of education. Once you are eligible for the Pharmacy License Examination, you are ready to pursue a career in Pharmacy.

How Do I Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona?

Study and prepare right for the exams.
Register yourself with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.
Appear for the exams.
Procure your license once you pass the exams.
Renew your license every 2 years.

How do I prepare for the exam? Is there a mock test I can take up?

Preparing for the exam is the same as any other exam. The test would assess your knowledge of pharmacy and the way you understand the role. There is a free PTCB Practice Test to check if you are prepared.

Can I reschedule my PTCB exam?

Yes, you can reschedule your PTCB exam. You must reschedule your PTCB minimum 24 hours prior to your scheduled date. If you do not reschedule your exam and fail to come on your exam date, your fees will be forfeited.

You can re-schedule your exam by visit the official PTCB account or by calling Pearson VUE at (866) 902-0593.

What’s the cost of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)?

The cost of PTCE along with CPhT certification is $129.

Does Arizona require pharmacy techs to be certified?

Yes, the State of Arizona requires Pharmacy Technicians to be certified. This includes licenses that permit them to work in the field.

How do I schedule my Arizona Pharmacy Technician exam?

Once your application is accepted you will get information regarding exam scheduling. You can schedule your exam in your PTCB official account or through PTCB official website. If you want to do it manually you can call Pearson VUE at (866) 902-0593. You can call through Monday to Friday between 7 am to 7 pm CT.

Is becoming a certified pharmacy tech worth it in Arizona?

It depends on your level of dedication and commitment to the job and your view of the salary, but it is a rewarding career if you choose to pursue it.

What is the difference between a certified and licensed pharmacy technician?

The state grants pharmacy technicians licenses to practice their trade. A professional may procure the certification from a non-governmental agency by studying for it. In order to work in the field, you need to be a certified pharmacy technician holding a license.