RxTechTalks

Every pharmacy professional begins their journey with a simple question: Why pursue certification? For many, earning the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is the first step into the profession. Sometimes it is required for employment, but for many pharmacy professionals it becomes something more meaningful, the foundation of a career built on knowledge, responsibility, and service to patients. At RxTechExam, we remind our student leaders that earning the CPhT is not the end goal. It is the beginning of professional growth.

The pharmacy profession continues to evolve as healthcare systems rely on pharmacy professionals to support medication safety, pharmacy workflow, regulatory compliance, inventory management, and patient care services. Certification helps demonstrate the knowledge, competency, and accountability needed to work within these systems safely and effectively. As more state boards of pharmacy strengthen training expectations, national certification increasingly serves as the professional baseline for entering the field and advancing within it.

For many pharmacy professionals, certification becomes a personal motivator for continued growth. Some pursue additional credentials to specialize in areas like sterile compounding, hazardous drug management, diversion prevention, or regulatory compliance. Others pursue certification because they want to grow into leadership roles or strengthen their expertise within their organization. No matter the reason, pursuing certification demonstrates a commitment to learning and to supporting the profession.

At RxTechExam, our mission is to support pharmacy professionals by providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares learners to sit for the PTCE and begin meaningful careers in pharmacy. Certification can open the door to new opportunities, professional confidence, and long-term career advancement. The journey into pharmacy often begins with one decision, to invest in your knowledge and take the first step toward certification.

So we often ask our students a simple but powerful question: What is your “why”? Your reason may be career growth, supporting your family, helping patients, or contributing to the healthcare system. Whatever your answer is, it becomes the motivation that carries you forward in your pharmacy career.

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

In every pharmacy technician cohort, we see the same pattern: some students gain momentum quickly, while others feel overwhelmed, even though they have access to the same materials and instruction. The difference is rarely intelligence. More often, it is structure, consistency, and mindset.

Students who thrive treat certification as a professional commitment. They schedule dedicated study time, revisit difficult topics, use practice quizzes intentionally, and aim for mastery rather than minimum scores. They understand that preparation is not about rushing through modules, but about building confidence through repetition and understanding.

Students who struggle often focus on completion instead of comprehension. They move quickly through content, underestimate the rigor of the PTCE, or rely on memorization instead of application. The PTCE is designed to assess real-world pharmacy knowledge including safety, regulatory awareness, calculations, medication knowledge, and operational judgment. It requires more than recognition; it requires understanding.

For those who may feel challenged by online learning, know that you are not alone. Helpful strategies include creating a consistent weekly study schedule, studying in shorter focused blocks rather than long sessions, taking practice quizzes multiple times before attempting graded quizzes, writing down difficult concepts, and reaching out to instructors with questions. Avoid multitasking while studying, and treat your study time as protected time. Online learning rewards structure and small, consistent progress builds lasting confidence.

At RxTechExam, our standards are intentional. The 90% benchmark is not a barrier, it is a preparation strategy. Mastery builds confidence, and confidence builds professionals. Our goal is not simply to help students pass an exam. It is to prepare them for practice.

Success in pharmacy technician training is rarely accidental. It is built through consistent engagement, disciplined study habits, and a commitment to excellence.

Certification is not the finish line, it is the foundation.

And the professionals who thrive during training are the ones who thrive in the field.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

Passing the PTCE earns you the credential. How you show up at work earns you the reputation.

Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician is a meaningful achievement that reflects discipline, knowledge, and a commitment to professional standards. However, certification is not the finish line; it is the starting point. The transition from being certified to being truly valued happens in the workplace. A credential may open the door, but what you do after earning it determines your long-term trajectory.

During the first few months on the job, many newly certified technicians focus on performing tasks accurately, processing prescriptions, managing inventory, handling claims, and supporting patients at the counter. Accuracy is essential, but valued technicians begin to think beyond the task itself. They develop awareness of workflow efficiency, reimbursement impact, medication safety, and patient experience. Instead of simply asking whether something is correct, they begin asking whether it improves the process, supports the pharmacist, and enhances care delivery.

As technicians grow, they move from task-based thinking to value-based contribution. They begin to understand inventory control, prior authorization accuracy, documentation standards, and compliance expectations. They recognize that pharmacy is both a clinical and operational environment where precision and professionalism directly influence patient outcomes and financial sustainability. In today’s data-driven healthcare landscape, technicians who understand adherence measures, workflow optimization, and operational metrics position themselves as integral members of the healthcare team.

Trust is earned daily. Pharmacists rely on competent, accountable technicians who demonstrate consistency, composure, and professionalism under pressure. A valued CPhT protects patient privacy, respects scope of practice, owns mistakes, and continues learning beyond minimum requirements. These behaviors build credibility far beyond what a credential alone can provide.

Over time, technicians who consistently demonstrate value often find expanded opportunities. Career pathways may open into leadership roles, specialty pharmacy, compounding, revenue cycle support, informatics, sales, or education. Certification provides credibility, but sustained growth and professional maturity create opportunity.

At RxTechExam, our mission extends beyond preparing students to pass an exam. We are committed to helping build a workforce of technicians who are respected, trusted, and valued within their organizations and communities. Becoming certified is an achievement. Becoming indispensable is a decision. The difference lies in how you show up! Every shift, every interaction, and every opportunity to grow.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

A career as a pharmacy technician is not a final destination. It is a foundation.

Many professionals enter pharmacy thinking they are stepping into a defined role with limited upward movement. What they discover over time is that the knowledge, discipline, and responsibility developed as a technician create opportunities far beyond a single position. A strong pharmacy technician foundation builds expertise in medication safety, regulatory compliance, workflow management, patient communication, and healthcare systems. These are not narrow skills. They are highly transferable, high-value competencies across healthcare and related industries.

Some technicians grow within traditional pharmacy roles, advancing into lead or senior positions, specializing in sterile compounding, immunization support, automation, or workflow optimization. Others move into supervisory or operations roles, helping design systems that improve safety, efficiency, and compliance. As the profession evolves, technicians are increasingly trusted with advanced responsibilities that directly enhance patient care and expand pharmacist clinical capacity.

For others, the pathway is not linear and that is where the opportunity becomes even more powerful. A pharmacy technician’s expertise can serve as a bridge into clinical coordination, medication access support, research roles, healthcare IT, revenue cycle management, compliance leadership, and even medical equipment or pharmaceutical sales. The credibility that comes from understanding medications, systems, and patient impact opens doors in ways many do not initially expect.

Certification is often the turning point. It signals commitment, competency, and professional identity. It transforms a job into a career. It demonstrates to employers and the broader healthcare community that pharmacy technicians are credentialed professionals contributing to workforce strength, patient safety, and operational excellence.

Your path does not have to be straight to be successful. It does not have to look like someone else’s to be meaningful. What matters is that you recognize where you are now as a starting point, not a ceiling.

A pharmacy technician career is expandable. It is adaptable. It is capable of growth in directions you may not yet see and when we invest in education, we invest in possibility.

Start your journey here, and then decide how far you want to go!

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

 

 

Advocacy is not just for executives, lobbyists, or association leaders, it’s for every pharmacy professional, including students and newly certified pharmacy technicians. At the local, regional, state, and national levels, advocacy shapes how our profession evolves, how workforce pipelines are built, and how regulations reflect the realities of modern pharmacy practice. At its core, advocacy is about staying informed, engaging thoughtfully, and helping move the profession forward.

One of the most important and often overlooked parts of advocacy is simply paying attention. Reading board agendas, proposed rules, and meeting minutes allows pharmacy professionals to understand not only what decisions are being made, but why they matter. A recent example comes from the Florida Board of Pharmacy Rules Committee meeting held on December 10, 2025, where updated language in Rule 64B16-26.351 recognized PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician training programs as approved training pathways in Florida. This will be a significant step forward for pharmacy technicians, employers, and education partners across the state, and we are closely monitoring the progress with hopes that it will be finalized and approved within the coming weeks.

For Florida pharmacy technicians, this clarification reinforces that completing a PTCB-recognized program aligns with both national certification standards and state expectations. For employers, it supports scalability and compliance. And for programs like RxTechExam, it affirms the value of standardized, high-quality education. This kind of progress doesn’t happen by accident, it’s the result of continued advocacy, collaboration, and professional engagement.

Advocacy is also a powerful career tool, especially for new CPhTs. Staying involved helps technicians expand their professional networks, meet leaders and decision-makers, and uncover new opportunities. It builds confidence in communication, sharpens listening and speaking skills, and keeps knowledge current as laws, scopes of practice, and requirements change. Even something as simple as reviewing board minutes or attending a meeting can deepen understanding of how pharmacy operates beyond the counter.

At RxTechExam, we believe advocacy is a shared responsibility and an opportunity. Staying informed, supporting thoughtful regulatory reform, and engaging with professional organizations strengthens not only individual careers, but the profession as a whole. Progress like Florida’s recognition of PTCB-recognized training programs shows what’s possible when pharmacy professionals stay engaged. Advocacy helps ensure our education systems, regulations, and workforce continue to evolve in ways that support patients, communities, and the future of pharmacy.

Join us as we advocate and move forward together!

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

Pharmacy technician educators are the backbone of our profession. They are the mentors who guide students through complex material, the leaders who shape professional identity, and the advocates who ensure education remains grounded in patient safety, ethics, and real-world practice. Long before a pharmacy technician steps into a role, an educator has invested time, patience, and belief in their potential.

At RxTechExam, we see firsthand how strong educators change lives. Student success does not happen in isolation, it happens when education, mentorship, and leadership intersect. We actively advocate for pharmacy technician educators who are doing the critical work of preparing the next generation of professionals. Mentorship is central to everything we do. Educators don’t just teach content; they model professionalism, resilience, and lifelong learning. As pharmacy evolves, educators continue to adapt, learning new regulations, credentials, and workforce demands, so their students can succeed in an ever-changing healthcare environment. That dedication deserves recognition, resources, and strong professional communities.

This is where the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council (PTEC) plays an essential role. As PTEC members, we are constantly learning from one another, sharing best practices, strengthening educational pathways, and advocating for credentialing and standards that elevate the profession. PTEC creates space for collaboration and leadership development that benefits educators, students, and the pharmacy workforce as a whole.

As we look ahead, PTEC 2026 represents an important opportunity for pharmacy technician educators and leaders to come together, learn from one another, and continue strengthening our profession. The conference offers meaningful education, practical insights, and a collaborative environment focused on student success, credentialing, and workforce advancement. PTEC 2026 Registration is now open, and RxTechExam is proud to support and attend this year’s conference. We look forward to connecting with educators, members, and partners who share a commitment to advancing pharmacy technician education and shaping the future of the profession—together!

Wishing you continued success, Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

Every pharmacy professional’s journey starts somewhere. For Dr. Harrison Dang, PharmD, BAAS, RPh, that starting point was a simple but intentional decision: finding the right foundation to take his first step into pharmacy.

Like many students, Harrison did not begin his career knowing exactly where pharmacy would take him. What he did know was that he wanted opportunity, exposure, and a pathway that would open doors. That path began with RxTechExam.

Harrison discovered RxTechExam while searching online for pharmacy technician training. The course stood out for its quality, its focus on preparing students for the PTCB exam, and its accessibility. Completing the RxTechExam course and earning his CPhT certification did more than help him pass an exam, it introduced him to the real world of pharmacy.

Working as a pharmacy technician in a retail setting gave Harrison invaluable hands-on experience. He learned how pharmacy teams function, how patient care unfolds in real time, and how pharmacists and technicians work together to make a meaningful impact. That experience became a powerful advantage when he entered pharmacy school, allowing him to approach his studies with confidence, context, and purpose.

Harrison continued forward with perseverance, completing a rigorous three-year PharmD program at the University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. Today, he is a PGY1 pharmacy resident at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with aspirations to pursue a PGY2 residency in critical care and earn board certifications in pharmacotherapy and critical care.

His journey is a powerful reminder that starting as a pharmacy technician is not a limitation, it is a launchpad. Education builds confidence. Certification creates access. Experience strengthens skill. Mentorship and leadership sustain growth. Perseverance moves everything forward.

To hear directly from Dr. Dang and learn more about his pharmacy journey in his own words, we invite you to watch his story through our Vocal Video here.

At RxTechExam, we are proud to support learners at the very beginning of their pharmacy journey, knowing that today’s technician student may become tomorrow’s pharmacist, leader, educator, or innovator. Harrison’s story reminds us that you do not need to see the entire path to take the first step, you simply need to start, and keep going.

We also invite all RxTechExam students, alumni, and graduates of our program to share your journey. If your experience highlights dedication, leadership, mentorship, or growth within the pharmacy profession, we would be honored to feature your story. You can submit your RxTechExam journey through our Vocal Video collector here.

Your story has the power to inspire the next generation of pharmacy professionals, just as Dr. Harrison Dang’s continues to inspire us.

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhT-Adv

At RxTechExam, our mission has always extended beyond helping students pass the PTCE. While education and certification are essential, they are only part of the equation. True workforce transformation happens when education, advocacy, mentorship, and leadership development move forward together. That is why RxTechExam continues to invest time, presence, and energy into supporting the pharmacy profession at the national, state, and local levels.

One of the most meaningful ways we do this is by actively participating in pharmacy conferences, association meetings, and professional gatherings across the country. These events are more than calendar dates. They are where real conversations happen about workforce shortages, technician advancement, regulatory changes, patient safety, education pathways, and the future of pharmacy practice. Being in these rooms allows us to listen, learn, collaborate, and advocate for pharmacy technicians and the professionals who support them.

Conferences create space for mentorship to happen organically. A student meets a leader. A technician sees a career pathway they did not know existed. An educator connects with an employer. A pharmacy leader hears directly from the workforce about what is working and what needs to change. These connections strengthen the profession and help move it forward in sustainable ways.

In 2026, RxTechExam is proud to continue showing up for the profession by attending and supporting several key pharmacy conferences across the country. Each of these events plays a critical role in advancing education, professional development, advocacy, and workforce readiness:

• PPA Annual Conference – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | February 20–22, 2026
  • Supporting pharmacists, technicians, and educators through advocacy and continuing education in Pennsylvania.
• VPhA Annual Conference – Roanoke, Virginia | March 12–15, 2026
  A cornerstone event for pharmacy leadership, policy discussions, and workforce engagement in Virginia.
• APhA Annual Meeting – Los Angeles, California | March 27–30, 2026
  • A national platform for pharmacy innovation, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• AAPT Annual Convention – Austin, Texas | June 5–6, 2026
  • A technician-focused conference dedicated to education, advancement, and professional recognition.
• TPA Conference & Expo – The Woodlands, Texas | July 24–26, 2026
  • One of the largest state pharmacy conferences, bringing together all sectors of pharmacy practice.
• PTEC Conference – San Antonio, Texas | July 9–11, 2026
  • A vital space for pharmacy technician educators, workforce leaders, and credentialing partners.
• SCPhA Annual Convention – Hilton Head, South Carolina | July 9–12, 2026
  • Supporting pharmacy professionals through education, advocacy, and leadership development in South Carolina.
• ThoughtSpot / Good Neighbor Pharmacy Conference (Cencora) – Orlando, Florida | July 28–August 1, 2026
  • Connecting pharmacy operations, leadership, and workforce strategy at scale.

By attending these events, RxTechExam remains connected to the evolving needs of the pharmacy workforce. We learn directly from professionals on the front lines. We advocate for standardized credentialing and technician advancement. We support educators building the next generation of pharmacy talent. And we amplify the importance of investing in people, not just processes.

Our call to action is simple but powerful. If you are a pharmacy professional, technician, student, educator, or leader, show up for the profession. Attend conferences. Join associations. Participate in discussions. Mentor someone coming behind you. Advocate for education and credentialing pathways that elevate practice and protect patients. The strength of pharmacy depends on all of us.

At RxTechExam, we are committed to walking alongside the profession, not just training it. Education opens the door, but advocacy, mentorship, and leadership keep the profession moving forward. Together, we can continue to elevate pharmacy and support the teams and communities that depend on us every day.

 

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, DHA, CPhT-Adv

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If you work in pharmacy, this image doesn’t feel abstract, it feels lived. Across retail, hospital, and health-system settings, pharmacy technicians are often caught in a cycle where short staffing leads to rushed workflows, rushed workflows increase errors and near misses, errors erode patient safety and trust, burnout accelerates, turnover rises, and overtime becomes the temporary fix. Eventually, costs spike, hiring freezes follow, and the cycle tightens even further. This isn’t a failure of dedication or work ethic. It’s a systems problem, one that relies too heavily on short-term patches instead of long-term solutions.

Pharmacy technicians are asked every day to do more with fewer resources, onboard new hires while already stretched thin, adapt to constant regulatory and technology changes, and remain patient-centered under intense time pressure. Overtime can hide these issues for a while, but it doesn’t resolve them. Research consistently shows that sustained understaffing and excessive workload are directly linked to higher error rates, increased turnover, and lower job satisfaction in pharmacy teams. At the same time, studies also show something encouraging: teams with adequate staffing, standardized training, and credentialed technicians experience fewer medication errors, stronger retention, and better patient outcomes.

The hopeful truth is that the cycle can be reversed. Adequate staffing creates manageable workloads. Manageable workloads reduce errors. Fewer errors improve patient outcomes. Better outcomes restore professional pride. Pride supports retention. Retention stabilizes staffing. Stability allows reinvestment in people. This “virtuous cycle” doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when organizations choose to invest upstream instead of reacting downstream.

Education plays a critical role in this shift. While education alone won’t solve staffing shortages, poor preparation almost guarantees they persist. Technicians who enter the workforce underprepared often require longer onboarding, place additional strain on experienced staff, and feel less confident navigating complex workflows. Conversely, technicians who are well trained, credentialed, and supported enter practice with confidence, contribute sooner, and help stabilize teams faster. Research has shown that structured training and credentialing are associated with improved accuracy, higher job satisfaction, and stronger professional identity among pharmacy technicians.

This is why education cannot be reduced to “passing an exam.” Education is about readiness. It’s about confidence under pressure. It’s about protecting patients, supporting colleagues, and sustaining the profession over time. At RxTechExam, our commitment as a PTCB-recognized education and training program is to prepare technicians not just to test well, but to practice well and to enter the workforce ready to contribute, learn, and grow. We see education as one of the earliest and most effective levers to strengthen pharmacy teams, reduce burnout, and improve outcomes.

Being a pharmacy technician can be demanding, and burnout is real. But so is progress. Investments in training, mentorship, staffing models, and professional recognition are showing measurable results across the industry. Technicians who feel prepared and valued are more likely to stay, advance, and advocate for their teams and patients. That matters, not just for individual careers, but for the health of our communities.

The staffing death spiral isn’t inevitable. Moving forward requires commitment, collaboration, and a willingness to invest in people early and intentionally. When we strengthen education, we strengthen teams. When we strengthen teams, we protect patients. And when we support pharmacy technicians, we build a profession capable of lasting well beyond the next shift.

Together we can. Together we will.

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhT-Adv

 

 

References

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (2022). ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Workforce and staffing. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 79(14), 1152–1166. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/zxac109

Health Resources and Services Administration. (2023). Health workforce projections: Allied health and pharmacy support occupations. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://bhw.hrsa.gov

Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2023). Workload, staffing, and safety in pharmacy practice. ISMP Medication Safety Alert. https://www.ismp.org

National Academy of Medicine. (2019). Taking action against clinician burnout: A systems approach to professional well-being. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25521

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. (2023). Role of credentialing in pharmacy technician workforce development. https://www.ptcb.org

 

 

 

As 2025 comes to a close, RxTechExam reflects on a year defined by meaningful growth, strong outcomes, and measurable impact across the pharmacy technician workforce. This past year reinforced the critical role pharmacy technicians play in healthcare delivery and the importance of accessible, high-quality education to support their success. Through student achievement, community engagement, and expanding reach, RxTechExam continued to advance its mission of preparing confident, certified pharmacy professionals.

In 2025, nearly 6,000 new students enrolled in RxTechExam, representing approximately a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year. This growth expanded RxTechExam’s total reach to more than 25,000 pharmacy technicians trained since its founding. These enrollments reflect both the rising demand for certified pharmacy technicians nationwide and the trust students place in flexible, online education models that support career advancement while balancing work and life responsibilities.

Student outcomes remained a central focus throughout the year. More than 1,490 RxTechExam learners earned their Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential in 2025, with students achieving an 83 percent pass rate on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). This performance exceeds the national average and highlights the effectiveness of RxTechExam’s PTCB-recognized curriculum, structured learning approach, and exam-focused preparation. These results demonstrate that when students are supported with clear content and purposeful instruction, certification success follows.

Engagement beyond the classroom also reached new levels in 2025. RxTechExam’s educational content generated tens of thousands of views across social media platforms, with organic Facebook reach peaking at nearly 1,000 views in a single day. RxTechExam also experienced continued growth and engagement on LinkedIn, where its professional audience expanded through consistent thought leadership, workforce development insights, and student success stories, further strengthening its visibility and credibility within the pharmacy and healthcare education community.

Equally meaningful was the continued positive feedback from students. Throughout the year, RxTechExam maintained strong five-star Google reviews, with learners frequently citing clarity of instruction, ease of navigation, and confidence gained when sitting for the PTCE. Many students credited RxTechExam with helping them pass the exam on their first attempt, reinforcing the value of outcomes-driven education built around student success.

Beyond metrics, 2025 reaffirmed RxTechExam’s broader commitment to workforce development. By supporting pharmacy technicians at every stage of their journey, from exam preparation to career advancement, RxTechExam contributes to safer medication practices, stronger pharmacy teams, and improved patient outcomes. Each certified technician represents not only personal achievement, but also a meaningful contribution to the healthcare system.

As RxTechExam looks ahead to 2026, the focus remains on expanding access to certification education, strengthening partnerships with employers and educators, and continuing to elevate the pharmacy technician profession nationwide. The data from 2025 tells a powerful story of progress, but it is the students, educators, and supporters behind the numbers who make the greatest impact. And RxTechExam remains proud to serve as a trusted partner in building the future of pharmacy. We also extend our sincere gratitude to RxTechExam Founder and CEO, Preston Davis, CPhT-Adv, whose vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to pharmacy technician education continue to drive our mission forward.

Happy New Year to our tech-tacular phamily!

 

Wishing you continued success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv