Technician Resources
Welcome to the webpage for pharmacy technicians in Colorado! At CPS we value our technician members as vital parts of our healthcare team. CPS is proud to the voice of pharmacy technician professional practice in Colorado!
For PassAssured Technician Training Program, scroll down!
 
Technician Membership in CPS
CPS is the only professional organization in Colorado that represents the interests of pharmacy technicians. The benefits of membership include professional advocacy (i.e. new laws, regulation, etc. that affect techs or helping to change what technicians want in the future), networking (meeting other techs, connecting for job, etc) and education/development (continuing education opportunities for approved technicians). Within CPS, we have an Academy of Pharmacy Technicians that operates as their own entity under the larger umbrella organization.
For a limited time, you can join CPS and the Academy of Pharmacy Technicians at a BOGO! Get two full years of technician membership for the usual yearly rate ($45). This equates to about $2 per month for full tech membership benefits!
Technician Certification (CPhT)
Did you know?
As of March 30, 2020 all technicians in CO will need to be certified (or in the process of becoming certified) to practice? This website is designed to help you navigate this process. HB 19-1242 was passed into law by Governor Polis in May 2019 and states that all pharmacy technicians, regardless of practice area, must become certified with the State Board of Pharmacy within the state of Colorado. This will serve to increase safety of the patients we all serve each day and elevate baseline knowledge, thus ensuring a consistent level of competency in our workforce.
What do I need to do?
Details on everything you need can be found at through the State Board of Pharmacy which is part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) which will be the official regulatory body for technicians just like it is for pharmacists. You’ll need to check here for the official and updated information on how to get certified, including timelines.
*Remember, you need to start this process and obtain at least a “provisional” certification by March 30, 2020 or you won’t be able to continue to practice.*
Technician certification in Colorado consists of 3 main components:
- Paying the registration fee
- Submit to a background check
- Passing an exam from a nationally accredited organization (eg. PTCB or NHA) within 18 months of provisional status in Colorado (ie. You can still work while you are preparing to pass the test)
How do I take the certification test?
There are two nationally accredited certifying organizations that can administer the exam for you to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). You will need to consult them directly to obtain all current information including prerequisites:
They are:
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by PTCB
2. Pharmacy Technician Certification (ExCPT) Empowered by NHA – National Healthcareer Association
How do I prepare?
There are multiple ways to prepare for the test, and simply working in a pharmacy environment is a proven success story. If your employer does not have an established program, you can prepare in different ways:
- Self-Preparation: Materials from national certifiers like PTCB and NHA (see above) may be available (practice tests, etc)
- Formal Education and Training Programs in CO: Examples include Arapahoe Community College, Emily Griffith Technical College, Front Range Community College, Pike’s Peak Community College, Pima Medical Institute , Pueblo Community College (and others)
- Your employer may have a training program for you already! Check with your supervisor!
- NOW AVAILABLE: On-Line Training Program:
CPS has partnered with PassAssured to offer an on-line flexible training program that helps prepare you for either of the national tests. Pass rates have been as high as 87% with the PassAssured program (not guaranteed!).
The most widely-used interactive multimedia presentation on the market. It's compelling and easy-to-follow, complete with audio, video, and graphic presentations. Realistic practice tests will let you know when you're ready for the real thing.
Our lesson plan walks you systematically through every topic required for certification. Our extensive test database makes you comfortable with the topics you'll be seeing on the national exam.
Starting at $299, you gain access to a program that will have you ready to get your certification in less than one year!
The PassAssured Pharmacy Technician Training Program features:
- Interactive Multimedia, Self-paced Learning Experience
- 240 Hours of Curriculum
- 1,200 Question Sets in Testing Database
- Computer and Tablet based
- Completely Online
- Completely preps for the national certifying exams
- Use wherever there is internet
To use this resource, register using the form below. Once paid, you'll receive an email with login information and details on accessing the program.
Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education
As part of maintaining your active certification, you will need to complete technician certification. As a member of CPS, you can access all of our CE / educational conferences which are accredited to provide technician continuing education requirements as well. These include our live, in-person conferences as well as our live/recorded webinars. As a member, you get discounted rates for the meetings, and free webinars!
Other Resources and Items of Interest
- Sunset 2021 – the practice of pharmacy technicians will be reviewed during the sunset process as part of the Pharmacy Practice Act. We need to hear from you, our CPS members, regarding what you’d like to see change. Please email us at [email protected] with ideas and thoughts. Even though the process happens in 2021, the feedback will be collected by early 2020!
- NHA Job Board: Connecting certified candidates with employers
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