Credential Information

2025-2026 Academic Year

CPhT Certified Pharmacy Technician

Credential Name	CPhT 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
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	HH32 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of test results OR Pharmacy Technician certificate
Credential Lead Consultant	Melissa Leeds melissa.leeds@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and Title	HH32 Pharmacy Technician
Credential as POL	HH32 POL = Yes
Pathway(s)	Biomedical Technology (BTCP) Healthcare Professional (HPCP)
Cost of Instructor Training	National 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 Requirements	National 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 an ExCPT-recognized education/training program. The teacher is just the facilitator. https://www.nhanow.com/certification/nha-certifications/certified-pharmacy-technician-(cpht)
Exam Voucher Expiration	National 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 Lifespan	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) 2 years Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) 2 years
Renewal Options	National 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)	All Other Healthcare Support Workers (31-9099) Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061) Medical Assistants (31-9092) Pharmacy Technicians (29-2052) Registered Nurses (29-1141)
Articulation	Yes North Carolina Community Colleges (NCCCS) for PHM-165 Pharmacy Professional Practice Effective 2025-26 See Statewide Articulation Agreement: https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4
Sequencing	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) No Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) No
Employer Transferability	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Yes Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Yes
Delivery Format	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) On-line or Paper/pencil Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) On-line or Paper/pencil
Proctored Environment Required	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Yes NHA regulates the testing. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Yes PTCB regulates the testing.
Proctored Requirements	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) N/A Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) N/A
Test Site Options and Requirements	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) NHA must administer the exam. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) PTCB must administer the exam.
Testing Environment Requirements	National 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
Exam Time Allotment	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) 2 hours Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) 2 hours
Exam Passing Requirement	National 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
Retakes	National 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 Accommodations	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) No Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) No
Multilingual Resources*	National Healthcareer Association (NHA) No Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) No
Directory Notes	National 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.

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.

^ 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.