RxTechTalks

At RxTechExam, one of the most powerful tools we have isn’t just our curriculum, it’s our learners.

Feedback is not always easy to give, and it’s not always easy to receive. But it is essential. Whether in the workplace, in the classroom, or within mentorship and leadership, feedback is what allows us to pause, reflect, and improve. It challenges us to course correct, refine our approach, and rise to a higher standard.

Our student leaders remind us of this every day.

From sharing that the course is “easy to follow,” “well organized,” and “helpful for passing the PTCE,” to identifying areas where we can improve like adding more study tools or refining content. Our learners provide real, honest insights that drive meaningful change.

That’s the kind of feedback that matters.

Because the best feedback doesn’t come from theory, it comes from experience. It comes from those actively learning, growing, and applying knowledge in real time. And when we truly listen, we create something better, not just for today’s learners, but for the future of the profession.

At RxTechExam, we embrace feedback as a gift. It allows us to continuously improve our content, strengthen our workflows, and ensure we are delivering high-quality education that meets the needs of a dynamic and evolving healthcare landscape.

To our students: Thank you!

Thank you for your honesty, your insights, and your willingness to share your voice. You are not just learners, you are leaders shaping the future of pharmacy!

And to everyone reading this… lean into feedback. Accept it. Learn from it. Grow with it.

Because progress doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from listening, adapting, and moving forward.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

At RxTechExam, success is not accidental. It is intentional, it is supported, and it is built through preparation, confidence, and access to the right tools.

This quarter, we are proud to share a powerful milestone. Based on our 2026 Q1 reporting, students who fully engaged with our course and utilized our 123CPhT+ bundle achieved a 97% PTCE pass rate. When compared to the national average, which typically hovers around 70%, this is more than a statistic. It is a reflection of what happens when education, strategy, and preparation come together.

So what is driving this level of success?

It starts with commitment. Our students who succeed are the ones who lean in, follow the course, and dedicate time to truly understanding the material. But effort alone is not enough. Confidence is the difference maker, and that is where the right tools come into play.

The 123CPhT+ bundle provides access to official PTCB practice tools designed to simulate the real testing experience. These tools do more than assess knowledge. They help students become familiar with the structure, pacing, and expectations of the PTCE. They reduce uncertainty. They remove fear. They create readiness.

Test taking is a skill. It is not just about knowing the answer, it is about recognizing patterns, managing time, and staying composed under pressure. When students have the opportunity to practice in an environment that mirrors the actual exam, they build that skill. They walk into the testing center not just prepared, but confident.

That confidence shows up in outcomes.

Our 2026 course updates have also played a critical role in this success. We have aligned our content to reflect the latest PTCE expectations, ensuring our students are studying what matters most. As the profession evolves, so do we. This alignment allows our learners to focus their time and energy on the areas that will have the greatest impact on their performance.

When you combine updated, relevant content with real world practice tools, something powerful happens. Students begin to shift from learning to mastery. From uncertainty to confidence. From preparation to execution.

This is how we build student leaders who are ready to pass the PTCE on the first attempt.

At RxTechExam, we are not just preparing students to meet a minimum standard. We are preparing them to exceed it. We are proud of the outcomes, but even more proud of the journey our students take to get there.

Because behind every pass rate is a story. A student who committed to their future. A learner who showed up, studied, practiced, and believed they could succeed.

A 97% pass rate is not just a number. It is a reflection of confidence built, readiness achieved, and futures changed.

If you are ready to take that next step, know this. With the right focus, the right tools, and the right support, success is not just possible. It is expected.

Let’s continue building the future of pharmacy together.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

At RxTechExam, we believe that behind every great profession are individuals who choose to show up, grow, and lead. This week, we are proud to highlight an incredible pharmacy professional, Amanda Abernathy, whose journey reflects exactly what is possible in this field.

Amanda’s story is one that so many in our profession can relate to, yet it is also one that stands out. With 17 years of experience as a pharmacy technician, she has built a career that spans outpatient pharmacy, inpatient care, discharge services, insurance, and healthcare technology. Today, she serves as a Pharmacy Technician Training Program Manager at UPMC, where she is leading system wide efforts to build and accredit technician training programs.

But what makes Amanda’s journey truly powerful is not just where she is today. It is how she got there.

Her career did not start with a clear roadmap. In fact, she originally applied for a front store position at CVS before being introduced to the pharmacy technician role. That moment changed everything. From there, she embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and expand her impact across the profession.

Her advice to new technicians is both simple and profound. Be aware of impostor syndrome and be intentional about your growth. Too often, professionals underestimate their value or feel like they do not belong. Amanda reminds us that every expert was once a beginner, and growth comes from asking questions, building confidence, and staying engaged.

She also emphasizes something we deeply believe at RxTechExam, your career is yours to build. By communicating with leaders, exploring advanced roles, and staying connected to the profession through organizations, technicians can open doors they may not have even known existed.

Her journey is best captured in her own words: “The main thing is a combination of passion and hard work, being excited about what I’m doing, interested, engaged in what I’m doing, and then working hard to complete the tasks that are part of my everyday job.”

That mindset is what transforms a job into a career.

Amanda’s path also highlights the importance of seeing opportunities where others may not. She identified gaps in training, proposed solutions, and even helped create new roles within her organization. More importantly, she advocated for herself and demonstrated the value she could bring. That level of ownership and leadership is what continues to move our profession forward.

Her story reinforces a critical truth. The pharmacy technician profession is not limited. It is evolving. It is expanding. And it is full of opportunity for those who are willing to invest in themselves.

At RxTechExam, we are committed to supporting that journey. Whether you are just getting started or looking to take the next step, there is a pathway for you. Professionals like Amanda are proof of what is possible when passion meets purpose.

We encourage you to take a moment to hear her story and connect with her journey!

The future of pharmacy is being built by individuals like Amanda. And the next story we tell could be yours. Let’s keep moving the profession forward. Together.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

This past week in Los Angeles, I had the privilege of attending APhA2026, and it reinforced something I’ve believed throughout my career: you don’t move a profession forward alone, you do it together. Conferences like the American Pharmacist Association (APhA) are not just events, they are catalysts that bring together leaders, educators, pharmacists, technicians, and innovators from across the country to connect, learn, advocate, and build the future of pharmacy. There is real value in being in the room, in the conversations between sessions, in the connections made across the expo floor, and in the shared energy of people committed to advancing patient care and the profession. These moments drive relationships that turn into opportunities, networking that opens doors, community that supports growth, education that keeps us relevant, and advocacy that elevates our roles.

At RxTechExam, we show up with purpose. We are there to support our student leaders and emerging professionals, to advocate for the CPhT profession, to stay aligned with the future of pharmacy and healthcare, and to bring back knowledge that directly impacts the success of our students. Leadership is not just about building programs, it is about being present, engaged, and committed to something bigger than ourselves. We are not just preparing students for an exam, we are preparing them for a profession. One thing continues to be clear, pharmacy technicians are essential to healthcare. From medication safety to workflow optimization and patient support, CPhTs play a critical role in allowing pharmacists to practice at the top of their license and ensuring patients receive the care they deserve. With that value comes responsibility, and we must continue to advocate for recognition, elevate education and training standards, and expand opportunities for technicians to grow and lead.

For our new and emerging Certified Pharmacy Technicians, this is where your journey truly begins. Getting involved early matters. Attending local conferences, participating in state association events, and even volunteering within your community or healthcare organizations can accelerate your growth in ways the classroom alone cannot. These experiences help you build communication skills, strengthen your professional confidence, expand your network, and develop meaningful relationships that can open doors throughout your career. You begin to understand the profession beyond your day-to-day role, and you position yourself as someone who is engaged, invested, and ready to lead.

Pharmacy is evolving, healthcare is evolving, and the professionals who stay connected, continue learning, and engage in advocacy will be the ones who lead that change. That is why spaces like the APhA pharmacy technician community matter. They remind us that we are part of something bigger, they challenge us to think differently, and they inspire us to do more. For anyone considering becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician, this is your moment. There is a pathway, there is a profession waiting for you, and there is a community ready to support you. At RxTechExam, we are committed to providing flexible, affordable, and accessible education to support your journey and your success.

APhA2026 reinforced one simple truth: when purpose, people, and passion come together, progress happens.

Let’s keep showing up, keep advocating, and keep building the future of pharmacy together.

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhTAdv

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) officially evolved in 2026, raising the expectations of today’s pharmacy technician workforce. With a renewed emphasis on medications, federal requirements, patient safety, order entry and processing, and reimbursement, the updated content outline reflects the real-world responsibilities technicians face in modern pharmacy practice. At RxTechExam, we anticipated these changes and took a proactive approach to ensure our curriculum remained aligned with the future of the profession. Our updates were in full force prior to 2026 and now that we are approaching Q2, we are reviewing the data, and numbers do not lie.  Our RxTechExam students are continuing to succeed and pass the PTCE!

The results of this work are clear. Recent performance data shows that RxTechExam learners are achieving an 84% pass rate, significantly higher than the 70% national average . Even more compelling, students who utilize our 123CPhT+ bundle, which includes additional PTCB-aligned preparation tools, are achieving a 97% pass rate . Across key knowledge domains including federal requirements, medications, order entry, and patient safety, our students are consistently outperforming national benchmarks.

Prior to the 2026 updates, our team conducted a comprehensive review and enhancement of our training program. We strengthened our modules to reflect deeper medication knowledge, reinforced patient safety principles, expanded regulatory and compliance education, and ensured our learners were exposed to real-world pharmacy workflows. This was not simply about updating content, it was about preparing students to meet the evolving demands of the profession with confidence and competence.

These outcomes are not coincidental. They reflect the intentional alignment between our education model, the PTCE 2026 framework, and the real-world expectations of pharmacy practice. As the role of the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) continues to expand, technicians are increasingly contributing to medication safety, workflow optimization, and patient care delivery. The PTCE has evolved to reflect this shift, and training programs must evolve alongside it.

At RxTechExam, we believe success is not defined solely by passing an exam, but by preparing students to enter the workforce with the knowledge, confidence, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to their teams and communities. As we move into Q2, we remain committed to continuous improvement, student success, and advancing pharmacy technician education. The standard has risen and our students are meeting it!

Wishing you success,

Dr. Abel Guevara III, CPhT-Adv

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