title: Credentialing of pharmacy technicians in the USA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review will compare the USA and UK regarding pharmacy technicians' roles, it will summarize the current roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in the USA, public perception of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy organizations' perspectives on pharmacy technician credentialing, academic programmes for pharmacy technicians, accreditation of pharmacy technician programmes, pharmacy technician certification exams and differing perspectives on the push for standardized technician training. It will conclude with observations regarding the importance of standardized pharmacy technician training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were identified via searches of PubMed and IPA from inception to November 2010 related to credentialing of pharmacy technicians. Search terms included pharmacy technician, pharmacy technician certification, pharmacy registration, technician education and technician requirements. Articles describing the roles and responsibilities of a technician, public perception of technicians, demographics, certification processes and the future of technician roles were included. An Internet search was also performed to identify articles in the lay press related to this topic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providing a pharmacy technician with proper training and education is necessary for operating a successful pharmacy. In the USA, mandating a national standardized training programme is the source of the debate. Current rules and regulations regarding the training and education needed for a pharmacy technician vary from state to state in the USA. Attitudes of technicians towards standardized training may be difficult to change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper provides a review of pharmacy technicians' roles and responsibilities across different pharmacy settings. Although the literature provides some insight, more studies are needed to assess the value and impact of the knowledge and skills possessed by certified pharmacy technicians with standardized training compared with technicians with site-specific or limited training.
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV 25304, USA. fadialkhateeb@ucwv.edu
authors: Fadi M
authors: FM
authors: Alkhateeb
authors: Kelly M
authors: KM
authors: Shields
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Broedel-Zaugg
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Bryan
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Snell
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D010596:Pharmacy Technicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D024382:Professional Role; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce