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PEBC Certification Pathway
Home Pharmacy Technicians PEBC Certification Pathway

PEBC Certification Pathway

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Seeking Licensure to Practise as a Registered Pharmacy Technician

 

Gaining licensure to practise as a registered pharmacy technician (i.e., in an “entry level” position) in those provinces that regulate pharmacy technicians involves the following:

  • Pharmacy technician education
  • PEBC Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Qualification
  • Fulfilling the requirements of a Provincial Regulatory Authority
IMPORTANT

Certification by PEBC does not guarantee eligibility with a Provincial Regulatory Authority (PRA). Prospective candidates must confirm the eligibility requirements of their PRA prior to applying for any of PEBC’s processes or exams. This will ensure candidates avoid completing processes or taking PEBC exams that are not required. PEBC does not track PRA eligibility requirements and therefore cannot advise candidates on the steps they should take to pursue provincial licensing.

PEBC Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Qualification

PEBC grants a certificate as evidence when you have successfully passed the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination, thus meeting a national evaluation standard of entry-level competence (knowledge, skills and abilities needed to practise safely and effectively). This evaluation is based on the practice competencies defined in “Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice” (NAPRA, 2014).

Pharmacy Technician Certification Pathway

To complete PEBC’s certification process, you must demonstrate completion of the educational requirements and pass both Parts of the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination. The educational requirements may be met through a number of different ways.

Candidates who have graduated from a pharmacy technician or pharmacist program accredited by Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), or those who have completed a Provincial Regulatory Authority (PRA) approved bridging program, would be considered ‘Direct-entry Candidates’ who are eligible to proceed immediately to the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination. This group of candidates also encompasses candidates who have successfully completed specific exams, identified below.

For international candidates (either educated as pharmacy technicians or pharmacists abroad), there is a new evaluation process that is currently being developed which must be completed before becoming eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination.

 

 

  • Direct-entry Candidates

    These are candidates who have successfully completed any ONE of the following:

    • Pharmacy technician program that, at the time of the applicant’s graduation*, was accredited by CCAPP (i.e., graduating 2008 or later from an accredited program that has achieved either provisional [the initial CCAPP step for existing programs] or full accreditation status)
    • PEBC Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician Evaluating Examination
    • Pharmacist degree program accredited in Canada or the United States
    • Provincial Regulatory Authority (PRA) approved bridging program

    *Note: candidates may apply for the Qualifying Examination before graduation, however their application will be conditional pending confirmation of graduation at least 4 weeks prior to the exam. If candidates fail to graduate, they will not be permitted to take the exam.

  • International Candidates

    If you completed your education outside of Canada you may be eligible to pursue PEBC certification through the new International Evaluation. The process includes a review of your qualifications and requires completion of a portfolio. It determines whether you completed an acceptable program and your readiness to take the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination.

    Please complete the eligibility survey to determine whether you can apply for the evaluation.

  • Registration and Licensure by a Provincial or Territorial Regulatory Authority

    Registration and the granting of a provincial or territorial licence provides evidence to the public of the individual’s overall qualification, practice training, and readiness to begin practice as a pharmacy technician in that jurisdiction. PEBC certification alone does NOT give an individual the right to practise pharmacy as a pharmacy technician, or guarantee eligibility with any Provincial Regulatory Authority.

    To ensure you meet registration and licensing requirements contact the regulatory authority in the province or territory where you are seeking licensure.

    Although PEBC has no language proficiency requirements, language proficiency does affect candidates’ performance in the Pharmacy Technician Evaluation Process & the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II). Effective written and verbal communication skills, at levels satisfactory for a health professional, are essential for practice and for success in taking the PEBC examinations.