OCP Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam to be Discontinued
The College continues its efforts to achieve regulation of pharmacy technicians in Ontario by 2010.
In parallel, regulation initiatives are advancing in other provinces and the College has been working with our national partners to establish a consistent implementation model across the country.
One recent and significant development is that the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) intends to administer a national evaluating exam, which will be similar to the College’s certification exam.
In order to support a national process and avoid provincial duplication, College Council decided, at the September 2007 meeting, to discontinue the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam after the October 2008 exam administration.
This decision means that Pharmacy Technicians who wish to pursue Registration with the College will need to complete EITHER the OCP certification exam (April 08 or Oct. 08 sittings remaining) OR, the PEBC evaluating exam (available in 2009).
Common questions and responses:
Q. What if I’m not able to complete the OCP exam before it stops in 2008? Does that mean I won’t be able to become a registered pharmacy technician?
A. No, completion of the PEBC evaluating exam will be recognized as equivalent to the OCP certification exam. Completion of either exam will allow you to move on and complete the other requirements for registration with the College.
Q. Will the PEBC evaluating exam be the same as the certification exam?
A. PEBC intends to develop an exam that is consistent with the Colleges certification exam, yet will be applicable and available to technicians across the country. PEBC will provide more details about the evaluating exam when available.
Q. Do you expect an increase in applications for the OCP exam? Do I need to worry about applying quickly?
A. We may see an increased number of applications for these last two sittings, but the College is confident that we will be able to accommodate everyone who is eligible to write the certification exam provided they complete the document evaluation and application process by the stated deadlines (available at www.ocpinfo.com/pharmacytechicians).
Q. I’ve completed the certification exam; do I have to complete the PEBC evaluating exam too?
A. No, if you have completed the OCP certification exam and maintained your status (i.e completed annual renewal to confirm maintenance of your practice) then you do not need to complete the evaluating exam as well.
Q. I have worked for many years as a pharmacy technician. Do I have to complete one of these exams?
A. Yes. Everyone who wishes to pursue registration with the College will be required to complete the certification or evaluating exam as the first step in the transition process. Individuals will not be “grandfathered” into regulation.
Q. I’m a pharmacy technician student. Will I have to do these exams?
A. In the future, if you graduate from an education program that is accredited by the Canadian Council of Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), then you will not need to do the certification or evaluating exam. CCAPP plans to begin accrediting programs in 2008. However, you will need to complete the PEBC entry to practice exam (pilot to be available late 2009).
