Pharmacy Technician Certification

Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)

Break into the exciting growing market for pharmacy technicians by becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

Most pharmacy employers seek applicants with a certification, and many mandate it as a requirement. Taking the ExCPT exam and earning your CPhT certification from NHA can help you stand out and set you up for success.

As a Pharmacy Technician, you may perform some or all of the following tasks:

  • Receive prescription requests from patients and doctors’ offices
  • Accurately measure medication amounts
  • Package and label prescriptions
  • Establish and maintain patient records
  • Accept payment for prescriptions and process insurance claims
  • Manage inventory

Pharmacy Technicians are sought-after professionals in pharmacies located in hospitals, drug stores, doctors’ offices and grocery stores. With a CPhT certification from NHA, you’ll have the credentials you need to invest in your future and prepare for a rewarding career as a Pharmacy Technician.

Sign up for the ExCPT Exam for $115 today.


Updates are coming to the ExCPT exam. Click for full details.

To become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), you’ll sit for NHA’s ExCPT exam.

Step 1

Determine Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet some basic requirements to take the certification exam.

Do I qualify?

Download the NHA Candidate Handbook >

Step 2

Set Up Your NHA Account

Once your account is active, you can schedule your exam and purchase preparation materials.

Set Up My NHA Account >

Step 3

Apply & Schedule Your Exam

Apply for your exam and pay registration fees (if applicable).

Apply for the ExCPT Certification Exam >

Step 4

Prepare for Your Exam

Our free test ExCPT plan is available to support your studies. As you prepare for your exam, you may consider supplemental study materials.

Download ExCPT Test Plan >

View ExCPT Study Materials >

You can never over-prepare.

As you prepare for your ExCPT exam, you may want to explore other available study materials:

Online Learning Package $199 Online Manual/Workbook $90 Online Study Package $65 Online Study Guide $45 Online Practice Test $35

Additional study references from external sources are available here.

Exam Details

About the Test:

  • Testing will take place at a PSI Testing Center near you.
  • You must present valid identification.
  • Test must be completed in one continuous session.

ExCPT Certification Exam Details:

  • 100 questions, 20 pretest questions
  • Exam time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Getting Your Results

Your ExCPT exam is scored immediately upon completion of the exam, and you will be given an official report by PSI indicating whether or not you passed.

New ExCPT test plan released

At NHA we are dedicated to providing access to personal and professional improvement- directly impacting better patient care. With the help of numerous subject matter experts, we have conducted a nationwide Job Task Analysis to ensure we are accurately testing the most current and relevant competencies necessary to ensure proficiency in the pharmacy technician profession. As a result of this extensive Job Task Analysis, an updated test plan for the ExCPT exam is now available here. You can also find the exam crosswalk here, bridging the 2011 and new test plan.

New ExCPT exam coming in early 2018

A new exam will be releasing early in 2018. An official announcement of that date is coming soon. You should continue to leverage current ExCPT exam preparation materials until further notice. Please check this page regularly for updates and additional information on updated certification preparation materials.


ATTENTION: Candidates taking the new ExCPT exam in early 2018 will experience delayed scoring for 4-6 weeks.

Pilot Scoring

As with many new exam launches, a pilot scoring period of approximately 4-6 weeks will begin the day the new exam is released. This will delay your scores and pass/fail results immediately following your exam. After the pilot scoring period concludes exam results will be mailed directly to you at the address associated with your NHA account.

Proof of Sitting for the Exam

You will receive a confirmation email announcing the scoring delay. Print and use this email as proof of sitting for the exam if required by an employer.

Do you have more questions?

For more information regarding pilot scoring, visit the "About Development of NHA Exams" section of the Candidate Handbook on nhanow.com.

Click here to view the exam crosswalk

Check Your Eligibility

Answer these quick questions and find out if you meet all requirements to take the certification exam in your field.