Eligibility Requirements
A candidate must hold an active PTCB CPhT Certification and complete a PTCB-Recognized Immunization Administration Education/Training Program or other training program with the necessary curriculum content.
View a list of PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Programs for the Immunization Administration Certificate.
Please note that PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Programs for Immunization Administration are continually added to the list as they become available.
A Step Toward Your Advanced CPhT (CPhT-Adv)
Active PTCB CPhTs who have completed at least four of the certificate programs (including TPV or Medication History), or three certificate programs and the Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Certification, and 3 years of work experience will be eligible to earn a CPhT-Adv credential.
Exam Fee
The cost to apply for the Immunization Administration Certificate is $39.
How to Apply and Schedule
- Log into your PTCB Account.
- Visit PTCB’s Credential Center (within your PTCB Account) and apply.
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with your authorization to complete your exam within 90 days.
The Immunization Administration Certificate Exam is administered online.
Prepare for Your Exam
Be sure to review the exam content outline as part of your exam preparation.
The PTCB Immunization Administration Exam is unique among PTCB exams in several ways. These unique attributes are due to the significant public health need presented by COVID-19 and the critical role that pharmacy technicians play in supporting immunization delivery to combat the pandemic.
- You do not need to schedule an appointment for the exam. Once authorized to test, you may take the exam online at any time during the 90-day authorization period.
| Concepts/ Terminology of Vaccine Administration (30%) |
| Roles of pharmacy technicians in supporting immunizations |
| Definition of key terms in the immunization process (e.g., active vs. passive immunity, inactivated vs. LAV) |
| Common vaccinations and vaccination schedules (e.g., influenza, zoster, Pneumococcal, Tdap) |
| Vaccine Safety and Administration (50%) |
| Preparation for vaccine administration, including supply selection (e.g., reconstitution, needle length) |
| Procedures for vaccine administration: SQ, IM, IN |
| Safety considerations during vaccine administration (e.g., handling and disposal of sharps) |
| Documentation, Product Handling, and Adverse Reaction Management for Vaccines (20%) |
| Procedures for immunization-related documentation (e.g., VIS form) |
| Procedures for receiving, storing, and handling of vaccines (e.g., cold chain, disposal) |
| Managing vaccine-related adverse reactions and emergency situations (e.g., localized reactions, syncope, anaphylaxis, VAERS vs. VERP) |
