Steps To Become a Pharmacy Technician in Iowa
- Meet the Age and Education Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
- Register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy: You need to register within 30 days of starting employment at a pharmacy. Registration involves submitting an application and paying a fee (typically $40, but $80 if delayed). You can start working as a technician once registered.
- Complete National Certification: Within one year of registration, you must become certified by passing either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the ExCPT exam, both of which are nationally recognized certifications.
- Pursue Training (Optional but Recommended): Although Iowa does not require formal training, it’s beneficial to complete a pharmacy technician program to prepare for certification exams and gain valuable skills in pharmacy operations.
- Complete Continuing Education (CE): To maintain your registration, complete 20 hours of CE every two years, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety.
State Requirements
- Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old.
- Education: Must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Criminal Background Check: A thorough criminal background check is required, including the submission of fingerprints (though fingerprints are not required for candidates under 18).
- Certification. Candidates must pass one of the two national certification exams:
- PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board).
- NHA (National Healthcareer Association) ExCPT exam.
- Registration: Must register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and pay the required fees within 30 days of starting employment.
- $40 fee if registration is completed within 30 days; $80 fee if after 30 days.
- Continuing Education (CE): To maintain certification, pharmacy technicians must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including:
- 1 hour of pharmacy law.
- 1 hour of patient safety.
- Medical Conditions: Applicants must disclose any medical conditions that may impair their ability to perform duties.
- Technician Trainees: Technician trainees must register before working in the pharmacy and are required to meet certification standards within one year.
Education and Training
In Iowa, formal training is not mandatory for pharmacy technicians, but it is highly encouraged. Enrolling in a pharmacy technician training program offers a structured approach to learning essential skills needed for the job. These programs typically cover crucial subjects like pharmacy law, medication dispensing, and pharmacology, which prepare you for certification exams such as the PTCB or ExCPT.
Training programs often include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience, giving you a practical understanding of working in pharmacies. Common topics covered include prescription processing, pharmaceutical calculations, and patient communication, which are vital for providing effective support to pharmacists.
While it’s not required by Iowa law, completing a formal program improves your job prospects and ensures you’re well-prepared to pass certification exams. Employers often favor candidates with formal education, as it reflects a deeper understanding of pharmacy operations and patient safety, making you a stronger candidate in a competitive job market.
Certification
In Iowa, certification is mandatory for pharmacy technicians within one year of registering with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. This certification can be obtained by passing one of the two nationally recognized exams: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The PTCE is a multiple-choice exam with 90 questions covering key pharmacy domains such as pharmacy law, medication safety, and inventory management. The ExCPT also focuses on similar topics, testing knowledge across areas like drug dispensing and regulations. Both exams are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and serve as reliable indicators of a technician’s competence.
Licensing/Registration
In Iowa, registration with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is mandatory before beginning any work as a pharmacy technician. This applies to anyone hired to perform technician duties, including technician trainees. Registration must be completed before starting employment, and applications can be submitted online or via mail. Importantly, applications that are incomplete or unsigned will result in delays.
Once certified, pharmacy technicians must register as Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT) with the Board. This registration should be obtained promptly after earning national certification. The CPhT registration will expire on the same date as your national certification, meaning that any certifications expiring within 30 days of your registration renewal must be updated first. Renewal of the CPhT registration requires paying a fee and completing all necessary continuing education.
Applications are processed within 45 days; if not completed within this timeframe, a new application and fee are required. Fee waivers are available for military veterans and applicants with low household income (under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level). Additionally, technicians should be careful to provide accurate information, as omissions or false statements can lead to denial or disciplinary action.
For those moving to Iowa from another state, reciprocity might be available based on their existing certification and registration status, but all technicians must still meet Iowa’s certification and registration criteria, including certifying within one year.
Technician Trainees
Pharmacy Technician Trainees in Iowa are individuals who have started working in a pharmacy but have not yet obtained national certification.
Trainees must register with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy before starting work, whether they are enrolled in a college-based/ASHP-accredited program or gaining work experience. This ensures legal recognition while they complete training and gain certification.
Unlike Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs), trainees cannot verify prescriptions, provide patient counseling, or make decisions requiring a pharmacist’s judgment. They work under supervision to meet certification requirements.
Continuing Education
In Iowa, continuing education (CE) is required for pharmacy technicians to maintain their registration. Technicians must complete 20 hours of CE every two years. This includes 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety.
These requirements ensure that technicians stay up to date with important legal changes and best practices in patient care, which is critical in maintaining pharmacy safety and compliance standards.
Most national pharmacy technician certifications, like the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) and NHA (National Healthcareer Association), also have similar CE requirements.
For example, the PTCB mandates that technicians complete 20 hours of CE during each two-year recertification cycle, with at least 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety.
These programs often recommend that CE be related to practical pharmacy operations, including topics like pharmacology, medication distribution, and inventory management.
Resources
Iowa Board of Pharmacy
www.state.ia.us/ibpe/pharmacy_technician/index.html
Office: 400 SW Eighth Street, Suite E. Des Moines, Iowa 50309-4688
Telephone: 515-281-5944 Fax: 515-281-4609
Professional Association for an Iowa Pharmacy Technician:
Iowa Pharmacy Association
www.iarx.org