PTCB CPhT Continuing Education Requirements
Review the continuing education requirements for renewing a PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician credential, including required pharmacy law and patient safety education and the limits on pharmacist-specific credit.
PTCB CPhT Requirements at a Glance
20 Hours
Total CE Required
2 Years
Renewal Cycle
15 Hours
Minimum technician-specific
5 Hours
Maximum Pharmacist-specific
Find Continuing Education for PTCB Renewal
The pharmacy law and patient safety hours are included within the 20-hour total requirement. They are not additional hours.
All Topics
Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education
Browse All Activities
Explore free pharmacy technician-specific continuing education activities across available ACPE topics and providers.
ACPE Topic 03
Pharmacy Law
1 Hour Required
Complete at least one hour of pharmacy law continuing education during each two-year recertification cycle.
ACPE Topic 05
Patient Safety
1 Hour Required
Complete at least one hour of patient safety continuing education during each two-year recertification cycle.
Technician-Specific and Pharmacist-Specific Credit
All 20 hours may be technician-specific. Pharmacist-specific credit is optional and may account for no more than five hours of the 20-hour requirement.
15 Hours Minimum
Technician-Specific Continuing Education
At least 15 hours must be pharmacy technician-specific. Continuing education from an ACPE-accredited provider with a technician audience designation meets PTCB’s technician-subject requirement.
5 Hours Maximum
Pharmacist-Specific Continuing Education
Up to five pharmacist-specific hours may qualify if the activity covers subject matter included in the PTCE Content Outline. A pharmacist audience designation alone does not guarantee acceptance.
Additional PTCB Renewal Rules
- Complete all required continuing education within your current two-year recertification cycle and no later than your certification expiration date.
- Continuing education completed before your initial PTCB certification cannot be applied toward recertification.
- Continuing education hours cannot carry over into a future recertification cycle.
- Keep an NABP e-Profile ID visible in your PTCB Account before applying for recertification.
- PTCB allows certificants to apply beginning 60 days before expiration. The application deadline is the first day of the certification expiration month; later applications are subject to a late-processing fee.
Official Sources
- PTCB Credentialing Guidelines and CPhT Recertification Requirements
- PTCB Renewal Requirements
- PTCB How to Renew
Last verified: September 24, 2026
FreeRxCEs.com is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with PTCB, NABP, ACPE, or any state board of pharmacy. Certification requirements, fees, deadlines, and continuing education eligibility can change. Confirm all current requirements directly with PTCB before relying on this information for recertification.