COVID-19 and Registration Timelines
The regular timelines shown on this page and the individual pharmacy technician registration pathways have been affected by the closures of testing organizations across Canada and the suspension of on-site training and assessments in Ontario due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please see the registration pathway that best describes you to determine which registration requirements apply to your registration process. Estimates of the overall time and fees are included on each pathway.
In most cases, acceptable forms of payment to the College are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, cheque, or money order. However, fees for applications for a Certificate of Registration and the Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism exam must be paid online by credit card.
| Application | Processing Time | Valid For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-registration | Included in timeline below for certificate of registration. | File kept open for 5 years. | Required for all pharmacy technician applicants. |
| Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Registration | 1-2 months. May take longer during peak times. | Valid until March 10 of the following year. | Annual renewal of certificate of registration is due on or before March 10 of each subsequent year. |
| Requirement | Processing Time | Valid For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Practical Training (SPT) | Up to 10 business days. May be longer during peak processing periods. | 2 years after date of successful completion. | Not required for:
|
| Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism Exam | Online OCP application processed immediately.
Online Prometric application processed immediately. Results are released within 4 weeks after the exam. | 3 years. | Initial application deadline is 30 days before the exam date.
Late applications may be accepted up to 10 days before the exam date and only if there are spaces still available. A late fee will apply. |
| Provider | Requirement | Processing Time | Valid For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Process | Required for international applicants
Check PEBC website for more information. | ||
| Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) | Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam | Application acknowledgement: 4 weeks. Application acceptance: 2 to 3 weeks prior to the exam. Results: 5 weeks. | PEBC requires both parts of the exam to be successfully completed within 3 years of each other. | Required for all pharmacy technician applicants who are not already licensed in another Canadian province. |
| University of Toronto, Faculty of Pharmacy | Orientation to the Canadian Health Care System course | 2 years from course completion date. | Required for international applicants who did not successfully complete Parts I and II of the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam on their first attempt at each.
10 weeks. May be completed within 3 to 6 months before your arrival in Canada. | |
| CTS Canadian Career College | Internationally educated pharmacy technician bridging education program | Accepted by OCP as proof that your knowledge, skills and judgment are current for 2 years from program completion date. | Required for international applicants who did not successfully complete Parts I and II of the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam on their first attempt at each.
Time to complete the program depends on the format selected by the applicant for each course. | |
| Various | Language proficiency testing | Timelines vary depending on the agency. | 2 years from test date. | Required for international pharmacy graduates.
May be completed before arrival in Canada. |
| The College does not endorse any particular insurance provider | Personal professional liability insurance | 1 year. Must be maintained as long as you are registered as a pharmacy technician. | Required before submitting a final application to register as a pharmacy technician. | |
| Sterling Talent Solutions or Ontario local police station | Police background check | 24 hours for online check through Sterling Talent Solutions or varies depending on the local police station. | 6 months from report date. | Must be valid when submitting a final application to register as a pharmacy technician. |
| Other education if required by a panel of the Registration Committee | Varies | The panel will determine the timing of any required courses. |
College Contact registrantservices@ocpinfo.com
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