2024-2025 Credential Information

The North Carolina Office of Career and Technical Education provides multiple opportunities for students to obtain Industry-Recognized Credentials during their high school career.
Industry-recognized credentials hold immense value as they not only validate student skills and knowledge in a specific field but also serve as a powerful stepping stone toward future careers.

They provide a competitive edge in the job market, making students more attractive to potential employers and increasing their earning potential.
Moreover, industry-recognized credentials often lead to more job opportunities and pathways for advancement, helping students embark on successful and fulfilling career journeys.
Beyond the immediate benefits, these credentials instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence, motivating students to pursue higher education or dive directly into the workforce with the skills and certifications needed to excel.
Ultimately, industry-recognized credentials empower high school students to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Access the NCDPI Credentials and Reporting website to submit a credential application and to view the latest Credential Attainment Report.

Footnotes:
^ Indicates the pathway is an approved Local Course Option (LCO) pathway.

* Where multilingual exams are indicated, please be advised that the state of North Carolina adheres to general statute as follows:
G.S.§115C-81.45(a) requires classes (silent on exams) to be conducted in English "[e]xcept when a board authorizes teaching in a foreign language to comply with federal law."
Therefore, NC CTE will abide with the Accountability guidance that LEAs are not required to provide exams in other languages. If they choose to do so, it will be at local discretion.


CPhT Certified Pharmacy Technician

Credential NameCPhT Certified Pharmacy Technician
Credential Vendor Info
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
https://www.nhanow.com/get-certified


Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
https://www.ptcb.org/contact

Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementHH32 = Yes
Validation ArtifactCopy of test results OR Pharmacy Technician certificate
Credential Lead ConsultantMelissa Leeds
melissa.leeds@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleHH32 Pharmacy Technician
Credential as POLHH32 POL = Yes
Pathway(s)Biomedical Technology (BTCP)
Healthcare Professional (HPCP)
Cost of Instructor TrainingNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
N/A
May be included in the cost from the curriculum vendor

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
N/A
May be included in the cost from the curriculum vendor

Instructor Training RequirementsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Required
The curriculum must come directly from a PTCB recognized education/training program. The teacher is just the facilitator.
https://www.ptcb.org/educators/ptcb-recognized-education-training-program-directory


Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Required
The curriculum must come directly from a PTCB recognized education/training program. The teacher is just the facilitator.
https://www.ptcb.org/educators/ptcb-recognized-education-training-program-directory


Exam Voucher ExpirationNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
90 days
A candidate's application expires when the candidate does not test within their 90-day 'Authorization to Schedule' period.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
90 days
A candidate's application expires when the candidate does not test within their 90-day 'Authorization to Schedule' period.

Credential LifespanNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
2 years

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
2 years

Renewal OptionsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Yes
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of CE during 2-year recertification period, including:
- 1 hour in the subject of pharmacy law, and
- 1 hour in the subject of patient safety.

CPhTs can apply for renewal during application window, which opens 60 days before the certification's expiration date. CPhTs who do not recertify by the expiration date are no longer certified and must apply for reinstatement within one year of certification expiration.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Yes
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of CE during two-year recertification period, including:
- 1 hour in the subject of pharmacy law, and
- 1 hour in the subject of patient safety.

CPhTs can apply for renewal during application window, which opens 60 days before the certification's expiration date. CPhTs who do not recertify by the expiration date are no longer certified and must apply for reinstatement within one year of certification expiration.

SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Healthcare Support Workers, All Other (31-9099)
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061)
Medical Assistants (31-9092)
Pharmacy Technicians (29-2052)
Registered Nurses (29-1141)
ArticulationYes
North Carolina Community Colleges (NCCCS) for PHM -165 Pharmacy Professional Practice
SequencingNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
No

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
No

Employer TransferabilityNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Yes

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Yes

Delivery FormatNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
On-line or Paper/pencil

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
On-line or Paper/pencil

Proctored Environment RequiredNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Yes
NHA regulates the testing.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Yes
PTCB regulates the testing.

Test Site Options and RequirementsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
NHA must administer the exam.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
PTCB must administer the exam.

Testing Environment RequirementsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Per NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Credentials - NHA:
https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-pharmacy-technician-(cpht)

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Per PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Credentials - PTCB:
https://www.ptcb.org/credentials/certified-pharmacy-technician#take-the-exam

Proctored RequirementsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
N/A

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
N/A

Exam Time AllotmentNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
2 hours

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
2 hours

Exam Passing RequirementNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
390 or higher
https://www.nhanow.com/get-certified

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
1400 or higher

https://www.ptcb.org/pay-your-technicians-fees

RetakesNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Yes
60 days from the most recent attempt

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Yes
60 days from the most recent attempt

Student AccommodationsNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
No

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
No

Multilingual Resources*National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
No

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
No

Directory NotesNational Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Students will need to request and provide a "score report" from EITHER
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
Exam voucher weblink:
https://www.ptcb.org/pay-your-technicians-fees
OR
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for ExCPT exam.


Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Students will need to request and provide a "score report" from EITHER
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
Exam voucher weblink:
https://www.ptcb.org/pay-your-technicians-fees
OR
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for ExCPT exam.