Can you take the PEBC pharmacy technician exam online?

Part I by remote proctoring

After PEBC processes your application, you get an Invitation to Schedule, no later than 2 weeks before the exam. You then choose a Prometric test centre or a remote-proctored exam.

Test centre seats are limited and go first come, first served. PEBC says it expects you to schedule and prepare for remote proctoring if you can't get a seat.

• The exam is the same: 150 questions in two 100-minute sections, closed-book, with a calculator on screen.
• Bring your own dry-erase board and markers, and erase the board at the end.
• You can't reschedule within 48 hours of your appointment.

Part II is in person only

The OSPE has 11 stations where you deal with actors playing patients and health professionals, do practical tasks and watch a video. It runs on the same day at centres across Canada. Expect to be there about 6.5 hours.

If there are more applicants than seats, first-time takers get priority. To take it in French, you register for the bilingual centre in Ottawa.

Online pharmacy technician programs

Studying online is a separate question from writing the exam online. To qualify directly for the exam, most people need a pharmacy technician program accredited by CCAPP at the time they graduate.

CCAPP's directory lists 49 accredited programs but doesn't say which are online. If a program is online, ask the school whether it's CCAPP-accredited before you enrol. A certificate course that isn't accredited won't make you eligible.