Top PTCB Study Guides for 2021
This article has been updated for 2024! Please click here: Top 5 PTCB Study Guides for 2024
After you have successfully completed Pharmacy Technician training, your next important step is to earn your Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) designation. We’ve put together the Top 5 PTCB Study Guides for 2021 to help you pass the exam and earn your CPhT distinction.
This highly regarded credential is essential in most states while also providing pharmacy techs more job opportunities and higher income potential. Many states actually make it a requirement to have the CPhT designation in order to be employed as a pharmacy technician.
Before becoming a certified pharmacy technician, there are certain requirements that you must complete. One of these important requirements is taking and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
The PTCE is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and is it recognized in all 50 states. The PTCB establishes the national standard for pharmacy technicians in order to improve upon the safety of medication and patient care.
The PTCE is a nationally accredited certification exam for pharmacy technicians, through which over 600,000 pharmacy technicians have been certified.
In addition to passing the exam, to be eligible to earn the PTCB certification you must also:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (usually a GED or diploma from a foreign country)
- Must fully disclose any criminal and license actions or registration from a State Board of Pharmacy against you
- Must comply with applicable policies for the PTCB Certification
After all of your hard work to a complete pharmacy tech program and meeting the requirements from your State Board Pharmacy, your next step is to prepare to take and pass the PTCE. If you focus and plan well, it is very possible pass the PTCE exam on your very first try!
We highly suggest a good PTCE study guide (or two) to help assist you pass this very important exam.
Prepping with a solid, well-respected study guides can make all the difference in test score. At the same time, these guides will help give you the confidence needed while sitting to take the exam.
Below we have compiled a list of the best 5 PTCE study exam guides for 2021 that are available now.
Top 5 PTCB Study Guides for 2021
1. PTCB Exam Study Guide 2021-2022: Test Prep with Practice Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Examination
Newly updated for 2021-2022 is Ascencia’s PTCB exam study guide. This guide provides current and relevant examples, images and info while providing a full review of the following:
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacist assisting
- Pharmacy law and ethics
- Pharmacy management and administration
- Compounding of pharmaceuticals
- Pharmacy math
Along with this the guide provides free practice questions, flash cards, “cheat” sheets to study with and many test taking tips – all available online for easy access anywhere.
To get you ready to pass the test, the guide also includes 2 full practice tests.
All great tools to give you an advantage taking the test!
2. Pharmacy Technician Certification Study Guide 2020 and 2021: PTCB Exam Study Guide 2020-2021 and Practice Test Questions [Updated for the New Outline]
This comprehensive PTCB exam guide by Test Prep Books is updated for the new 2020 outline and is designed to help you get a great score on the exam.
Here is what you will find in this guide:
- Quick overview – see a summary of what is covered before diving in
- Test strategies – includes great tips for taking the exam
- Introduction – provides an overview of the PTCB exam and the contents in the exam
- Medications – all about medicine: pharmaceuticals, therapeutic equivalence, dietary supplement pills and proper medication storage
- Federal requirements – how to safely handle and dispose medicines, processing medications, and discussion of controlled substance prescriptions
- Patient safety and quality assurance – strategies to prevent errors, pharmacist intervention, order entry and processing, dosage calculations and more
- Practice questions – along with detailed explanation of the answers
Lastly, the authors of this guide offers personal help via email with comments and concerns you may have taking the exam.
3. Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician Exam Review (Mosby’s Review for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination)
Mosby’s Review for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, 4th edition continues to be one of the top PTCB exam guides for aspiring pharmacy technicians.
This edition is has an updated organization of the content to match the latest exam blueprint.
The author, James Mizner, is an educator for pharmacy techs. It is not often that you will find many other books written by someone who is well regarded in the pharmacology industry.
This book contains everything you need to pass the PTCB examination on your first try – providing a complete review of the core knowledge and much more.
It uses an outline bulleted format to make reviewing easier and full-color illustrations to help reinforce your understanding of the materials.
The guide includes study materials on all of the exam content, as well as outlines, strategies, test taking-tips, and digital flash cards.
Each chapter of the exam guide aligns along with a domain knowledge required for you to know and understand. The structure of the book allows you to practice in sections, allowing you to increase your understanding in blocks of information.
Included in the exam guide are the following:
- 2,600 review questions within 17 practice exams
- 700 digital flash cards to increase your recall of facts about medicines, sound-alike drugs, and abbreviations
- 9 practice exams in the same format and knowledge domain of the exam
- Unlimited practice questions and simulations online
- Suggestions and test taking tips to increase your success rate
- Current drug info and practice procedures based on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Blueprint from the PTCB
4. Pharmacy Technician Certification Study Guide 2021-2022: PTCB Exam Secrets Book, Full-Length Practice Test, Step-by-Step Review Video Tutorials: [3rd Edition]
This study guide, just released in early 2021, is a great all-around solution for preparing to pass the PTCB examination.
Not only does the guide provide comprehensive printed materials, it is also accompanied with step-by-step video materials to help you learn concepts more deeply.
The guide is designed in a logical and organized format allowing each section to flow naturally to keep you focused. Included are practice test questions with detailed explanations, a complete review of each test section, and tips and strategies for best test performance.
The Mometrix guide gives your the concepts, principles, procedures and vocabulary related to the following sections of the PTCB exam:
- Medications
- Abbreviations and terminology
- Federal requirements
- Administrative and management
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- State requirements and practice standards
- Inventory management
- Billing and reimbursement
- Health and wellness
- Order entry and processing
Many of the concepts discussed in the guide include links to the online videos with step-by-step examples by instructors.
5. Pharmacy Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians: Master Calculations The Safe & Easy Way Without Formulas
Many people have a fear of numbers and performing calculations. If you’re one of them, we recommend that you get an additional book that is focused entirely on practicing and building skills in math geared towards medications.
To help you become a master with pharmaceutical calculations, this guide is divided into 8 sections:
- Essential skills – to master basic material before the main subject. Includes the metric system, ratios, and number rounding
- Auxiliary subjects – includes scientific notations, roman numerals and significant figures
- Unit conversions – converting between different unit of measurements used in pharmacies
- Dosage calculations – terminology and how to set up and solve problems
- IV flow rate calculations – calculations of IV flow rate
- Percent and ratio strength calculations – percentage strengths and errors, and ratio strengths
- Concentrations/dilutions/reconstitution calculations – concentrations and dilutions
- Miscellaneous subjects – other areas regarding calculations
This guide also includes a self-assessment test to help you work on any areas you need more help with.
Bonus PTCE study material
PTCB Flashcards: PTCB Exam Flash Cards Study Guide 2022-2023 with Practice Exam Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam
If you are interested in an alternate method of preparing for this challenging exam – this flashcard system may be the next best thing for you.
Each section of the PTCB exam is covered by the flash cards with what will likely appear on the test. The flash cards cover the following areas:
- Study tips
- Medications
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- Federal requirements
- Order entry and processing
These portable, color-coded cards will provide that extra edge in helping you pass the test.
Conclusion
All of the top PTCB exam guides for 2021 discussed above will provide the knowledge and confidence you need to successfully pass the PTCB exam.
Keep in mind to get your CPhT credential from the PTCB, you also must:
- Have a high school diploma, or the equivalent of – such as a GED
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Agree to comply with all the PTCB Certification rules, regulations and policies
- Provide a disclosure of any criminal actions against you and any State Board of Pharmacy registration actions or licensure actions taken in the past against your license
- Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam!
With one or two of the guides listed above, along with your determination and focus – you’re well on your way to becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician!