Frequently Asked Questions

Does ACPE accredit programs for Pharmacy Technicians?

Questions regarding accreditation and certification?

Questions regarding requirements?

Question regarding training programs and pharmacy schools?

Accreditation Statistics

What are ACPE's guidelines for logo usage?

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ACPE Accreditation

Does ACPE accredit continuing education (CE) activities for pharmacy technicians?

ACPE does not accredit individual CE activities for pharmacy technicians. ACPE accredits providers of continuing education, and most ACPE-accredited providers have pharmacy technicians as participants in their CE programs.

Some CE providers have pharmacy technicians as their primary target, however, for the majority of ACPE's accredited providers, pharmacists are the primary target. Ways to better meet the CE needs of pharmacy technicians and identify/designate the target audience(s) for CE activities are being explored.

Does ACPE accredit pharmacy technician training programs, and what types of training are available for pharmacy technicians?

ACPE does not accredit training programs for pharmacy technicians. However, a number of organizations and agencies are involved in accreditation of either pharmacy technician training programs, or academic institutions that offer pharmacy technician training programs. Not all training programs are accredited. Two forms of accreditation are possible.

Program accreditation , which focuses only on the pharmacy technician training program , is offered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Full details of ASHP's accreditation standards , policies and procedures, and a directory of accredited programs, are available on the ASHP website www.ashp.org.

Institutional accreditation , which evaluates the institution as a whole, including all programs (but not in detail at the individual program level), is offered by a number of agencies, including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), and the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Details of accreditation policies, procedures, standards and accredited institutions can be obtained from their websites. Academic institutions offering pharmacy technician training programs may also be accredited by one of the regional accreditation agencies.

While exact statistics are not available, it is estimated that most pharmacy technicians train "on-the-job" (OJT). Some OJT follows a defined "curriculum" or training manual; in other cases the training is provided solely through the preceptorship of the supervising pharmacist(s). Many of the pharmacy groups and chains have their own corporate training programs, utilizing formal lectures and laboratory sessions. Some of the latter have applied for accreditation.

Some training programs are offered as "home study" or "online". There are also programs and courses primarily designed to prepare pharmacy technicians for the national certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

What is ACPE's role in the quality assurance of pharmacy technician education and training?

ACPE does not have a direct role in the quality assurance of pharmacy technician education and training programs that initially prepare individuals for employment as pharmacy technicians. A majority of ACPE-accredited providers of continuing pharmacy education (CE) do, however, have pharmacy technicians as participants in their CE activities.

In November 2002, the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy (CCP) requested ACPE to initiate a profession-wide dialog concerning the possible development of national standards and an accreditation process for pharmacy technician education and training. During 2003, extensive discussions were held and comments submitted to ACPE. From the dialog, CCP concluded that there was not consensus on the issue and that further discussion was required. CCP requested the Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners (JCPP) to continue the discussion and ACPE supports this continued discussion through its membership of CCP and JCPP.

Accreditation and Certification questions?

What is the difference between "accreditation" and "certification?"

Using the criteria of the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy (CCP), "accreditation" applies to an institution, site or a program, whereas "certification" applies to an individual. In its resource document "Credentialing in Pharmacy," CCP defines these terms as follows:

Accreditation : The process by which a private association, organization, or government agency, after initial and periodic evaluations, grants recognition to an organization, site or program that has met certain established criteria.

Certification : The [voluntary] process by which a non-governmental agency or an association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that organization. This formal recognition is granted to designate to the public that the individual has attained the requisite level of knowledge, skill, and/or experience in a well-defined, often specialized, area of the total discipline. Certification usually requires initial assessment and periodic reassessments of the individual's knowledge, skills and/or experience.

How can I become certified to prepare IV solutions?

As at September 2006, ACPE is not aware of any program for certification of pharmacy technicians in the area of preparation of intravenous solutions. Some companies and associations that have special expertise in this area do provide training programs in IV compounding/preparation and issue a certificate of completion. Some of these companies/organizations are ACPE-accredited providers and, if they are not, they can work with an ACPE-accredited CE provider (co-sponsor) to put on the course and have it accredited. If your state or employer has education or training requirements in this regard, you are advised to check with them to ascertain if a specific activity or course meets their requirements.

Requirement Questions?

What are the CE requirements for pharmacy technicians?

CE requirements for pharmacy technicians vary from state to state. Currently, a minority of states requires pharmacy technicians to participate in CE, but the number is increasing.

Pharmacy technicians certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) have to complete 20 hours of approved CE every two years as one of the requirements for renewal of certification. ACPE-accredited CE is one of the forms of CE approved by PTCB. For further details regarding PTCB's CE requirements for certified pharmacy technicians, please contact PTCB.

How can I know if a CE activity has been approved for pharmacy technician CE?

CE offered by an ACPE-accredited provider is accepted by the PTCB as well as by most states that have a CE requirement for pharmacy technicians. However, state boards of pharmacy and the PTCB can approve other forms of CE. If in doubt, ACPE advises you to contact either PTCB or the relevant state board to check if an activity or provider meets their requirements.

What are the legal requirements to work as a pharmacy technician?

The requirements to work as a pharmacy technician differ from state to state. Currently just over half of the states require pharmacy technicians to be registered or licensed. A minority - but a growing number - of states now require certification or recognize it in other ways in their regulations. Some states set minimum age, education and training requirements, and some check for a criminal record. For detailed requirements for a specific state, contact the relevant state board of pharmacy.

Training program and pharmacy school questions?

How can I find out if a training program is accredited?

All the organizations and agencies involved in the accreditation of pharmacy technician training programs publish directories of accredited programs. Directories are usually available on the agency's website. Individual training institutions should also supply accreditation status on request; many have this information on their website.

If a program claims to be accredited, this fact should be confirmed with the accreditation agency itself, to ensure that accreditation is current. Not all "accreditation agencies" are recognized by the US Department of Education. The credentials of an "unknown" accreditation agency should be validated.

Are all training programs the same? How can I be assured of the quality of a training program?

No, not all training programs are the same. Training programs for pharmacy technicians vary considerably in terms of content, duration and credential offered. Some programs offer a "Certificate of Completion"; others award an Associates Degree.

Accreditation is, in most cases, voluntary. There is, therefore, not always a requirement for the institution offering the program to be accredited. While absence of accreditation cannot be assumed to imply poor quality, accreditation by a reputable agency should provide students and members of the public with a reasonable assurance that the program is of a satisfactory standard.

If a training program is not accredited, personal references from graduates and employers of graduates may be the only means to gauge the quality of (the outcomes of) a program.

Are graduates of pharmacy technician training programs eligible to enter an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy?

Many students applying to enter a PharmD program have worked previously as a pharmacy technician, although not all would have graduated from an academic program. Some pharmacy technician training programs based at vocational and community colleges structure their program and curriculum to facilitate credit transfer. While ACPE standards for pharmacy degree programs cover admission policies and procedures, the specific entry requirements and criteria for recognition of prior credit are likely to differ from school to school. Individual institutions should be contacted if specific information is required.

Are graduates of pharmacy technician training programs eligible to enter an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy?

Many students applying to enter a PharmD program have worked previously as a pharmacy technician, although not all would have graduated from an academic program. Some pharmacy technician training programs based at vocational and community colleges structure their program and curriculum to facilitate credit transfer. While ACPE standards for pharmacy degree programs cover admission policies and procedures, the specific entry requirements and criteria for recognition of prior credit are likely to differ from school to school. Individual institutions should be contacted if specific information is required.

I am interested in establishing a pharmacy technician training program. Who can help me?

The Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC), an association representing pharmacy technician educators, would be a good place to start. Their website is www.rxptec.org

Accreditation Statistics

120 Colleges and Schools with accreditation status

- 94 Colleges and Schools with full accreditation
- 18 Colleges and Schools with Candidate status
- 8 Colleges and Schools with Precandidate status

397 Continuing Education Providers with Accreditation Status

2 Continuing Education Providers who also offer Certificate Programs