How to get continuing education credits as a pharmacy technician. Many pharmacy technicians are required to take continuing education courses in order to maintain their registration and licenses.
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Introduction
Introduction
Completing continuing education (CE) is a mandatory requirement for all pharmacy technicians. CE helps pharmacy technicians keep current on new medications and safety procedures, and provides opportunity to learn about new technologies in the field. The number of CE hours required, and the cost of courses, may vary by state. Check with your state board of pharmacy for specific requirements in your area.
Most community colleges and universities offer CE courses for pharmacy technicians, as well as online options. There are also a number of professional organizations that provide CE opportunities, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
What is CE?
CE is an abbreviation for “continuing education.” Continuing education is required for pharmacy technicians to keep their certification up to date, and many states require CE for licensure as well. The requirements for CE vary by state, but most states require at least 10 hours of CE per year.
Who Needs CE?
All pharmacy technicians must complete continuing education (CE) to renew their registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). The CE requirements are different for pharmacy technicians who are certified by the National Healthcare Association (NHA) or the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).
If you are not certified by either organization, you must complete 2 contact hours of CE for each month of your registration period. For example, if your registration period is 24 months, you must complete 48 contact hours of CE. If you are certified by the NHA or ICPT, you must complete 20 contact hours of CE during each 12-month certification period.
You may complete your CE requirements by taking live, interactive courses or by completing self-study courses. Live, interactive courses can be taken in person or online.
How to Do CE for Pharmacy Techs
The process of continuing education (CE) is important for pharmacy technicians to maintain their registration and to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. CE can be done in a variety of ways, including taking courses offered by colleges or universities, attending workshops and seminars, or even completing self-study modules.
There are a number of organizations that offer CE opportunities for pharmacy technicians. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) is one such organization. NABP offers a number of resources on its website, including a list of accredited CE providers. Another organization that offers CE opportunities is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). ASHP offers both live and online courses, as well as self-study materials.
Conclusion
Whether you are renewing your pharmacy technician license for the first time or the fifteenth, you will need to complete continuing education (CE) credits. The number of required credits and the specific topics will vary from state to state, but the process is generally similar. Here are a few tips to help you complete your CE requirements quickly and easily.
1. Know your state’s requirements. Each state has different guidelines for how many CE credits pharmacy technicians must earn and what types of courses are acceptable. Make sure you are familiar with your state’s specific requirements before you start taking courses.
2. Enroll in an accredited program. There are many online and offline programs that offer CE courses for pharmacy technicians. However, not all of these programs are accredited by the proper authorities. Make sure you enroll in a program that is accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or another relevant organization.
3. Choose courses that fit your interests and schedule. With so many different course offerings, it can be tempting to just choose the first one you come across or the one that is cheapest. However, if a course does not fit with your interests or schedule, you are less likely to complete it successfully. Make sure you take some time to find courses that fit both your needs and your interests.
4. Set aside time each week to work on your courses. One of the most common mistakes people make when taking CE courses is trying to cram all of the work into a single week or month before their license expires. This can lead to frustration and ultimately cause you to give up on the course entirely. Instead, set aside a few hours each week to work on your coursework so that it does not feel like such a daunting task.
5. Keep copies of all completed coursework in a safe place. Once you have completed a CE course, make sure you keep a copy of the certificate or other documentation in a safe place so that you can easily retrieve it if necessary. This will come in handy if you ever need to provide proof of completion to your state board or other authority
