Med History Cert (PTCB) - Medication History Certificate

The Medication History Certificate offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is intended for pharmacy technicians who specialize in obtaining, recording and managing patients' medication histories. This certification demonstrates the technician’s expertise in accurately documenting medication histories, understanding drug interactions and enhancing patient care through effective communication and documentation skills. Earning this certificate also takes candidates one step closer to becoming a PTCB Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv). 

Eligibility

Candidates must hold an active PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Credential and qualify under one of the following pathways:

Pathway 1: Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Medication History Education/Training Program and at least 6 months of experience conducting medication histories and/or similar experiences of patient-focused communication.

Pathway 2: At least 12 months of full-time experience conducting medication histories and/or similar experiences of patient-focused communication.

At least 50% of the time spent completing work activities must directly involve patient-focused communication.

Completion Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cost: 

• $89 Application & Exam Fee

• $20 Exam Authorization Extension

• All fees are nonrefundable

Exam Format

The Medication History Certificate exam is a computer-based test consisting of 70 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete the exam, but the total appointment time is 1.5 hours to leave time for a pre-exam tutorial and post-exam survey. 

Topics on the Medication History Certificate exam include:

• Concepts/Terminology of Medication History (45%)

• Patient Safety and Quality Assurance Strategies (55%)

The Medication History Certificate exam receives a scaled score between 0 to 400, with 300 or higher required to pass. Candidates receive their official score report immediately following completion of the exam. Passing candidates can download their certificate through the Credley Platform and receive a digital badge and certificate of achievement. Unsuccessful candidates may retake the exam after paying the full exam fee again without any waiting period between attempts.

Application Process

1. Apply through online PTCB Account

2. Wait for email with authorization to schedule exam

The Medication History Certificate program doesn’t require renewal.

Continuing education is required to maintain PTCB CPhT Certification but not to maintain the Medication History Certificate.

• PTCB Online Proctored Exam Video

• Pearson VUE Exam Tutorial, under Related Links

• Content Outline

• PTCB Candidate Guidebook

• PTCB Candidate Guidebook: Credentialing Guidelines

The PTCB also offers the following certifications:

• Billing and Reimbursement Certificate

• Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention Certificate

• Hazardous Drug Management Certificate

• Immunization Administration Certificate

• Medication Therapy Management Certificate

• Nonsterile Compounding Certificate

• Point-of-Care Testing Certificate

• Regulatory Compliance Certificate

• Supply Chain and Inventory Management Certificate

• Technician Product Verification Certificate

• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

• Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv)