Graduates of CCAPP Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Technician Programs

Graduates of Canadian Council for Accreditation of Canadian Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited pharmacy technician programs can complete the requirements and application process to become listed with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba.

If you graduated from a Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited Canadian pharmacy technician program, you can use the following steps to become listed with CPhM. For a list of accredited pharmacy technician programs, please visit the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Program website.

Graduates of a CCAPP-accredited Canadian pharmacy technician program who list less than three years post-graduation, must complete a minimum of 240 hours of structured practical training, complete the pharmacy law modules and JP exam and become listed within three years of PEBC Qualifying Exam certification.

Graduates of a CCAPP-accredited Canadian pharmacy technician program who list three or more years post-graduation, must complete a minimum of 360 hours of structured practical training, complete the pharmacy law modules and JP exam and become listed within three years of PEBC Qualifying Exam certification.

The Registrar and/or the Board of Examiners retain the authority to consider each individual application on its own merits and to exercise discretion in setting additional conditions of that applicant, based on the individual particulars of that application.

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency in either English or French is an essential skill for pharmacy technicians to practice in Canada. Although language proficiency does not guarantee that effective communication will take place, it is the foundation for reading, speaking, listening/comprehension, and writing skills – all components of effective communication. A pharmacy technician’s ability to communicate is critical to safe and effective patient care.

Language proficiency is a requirement of becoming a listed pharmacy technician in Manitoba. Technician-in-training applicants must provide proof of language proficiency. During the Structured Practical Training program, language proficiency will also be assessed.

Canadian graduates, who have completed their CCAPP approved pharmacy program in English, will have met the language proficiency requirements. Other applicants must meet current language proficiency requirements as described in the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.

Steps for Listing as a Pharmacy Technician

Please see the steps below for pharmacy technician listing in Manitoba. It is critical you review and understand the steps below before you begin the listing process because there are multiple deadlines and expiry dates to consider.

 

Step 1: Apply to become a pharmacy techinician-in-training

Once you have graduated from a CCAPP accredited Canadian pharmacy technician program, you can apply to become a pharmacy technician-in-training with the College. You must submit an Application for Pharmacy Technician-in-Training to the College along with the application fee and the following documents:

  • Notarized Documents

    You must get all of the following documents notarized by a notary public in Canada:

    1. An original passport size and style photograph placed on white paper for the notary public to sign and seal. See an example. The photograph must be affixed to a piece of plain white paper, sealed across both the photograph and paper, and include the statement “The photograph is a true likeness of (applicant’s full name printed).”
    2. A copy of your birth certificate. If you have changed your name from what is on your birth certificate, you must attach a notarized copy of the applicable marriage, divorce, or name change certificate to your application.
    3. A notarized copy of your graduation certificate from a CCAPP approved pharmacy technician training program.
  • Original Signed Declarations

    You must submit the following two original signed declarations with your application:

    1. “I do not suffer from a physical or mental condition, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs, that may interfere with my ability to work in training in a safe and effective manner.”
    2. “I have read and understand the fluency requirements for a pharmacy technician, as listed on the College website, and that I have provided:”
      • language proficiency test results* (sent directly to the College from an approved assessment centre) that meet the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada*; OR
      • a notarized copy of my transcript confirming graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English or French courses/credits; OR
      • a notarized copy of my transcript confirming graduation from a Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec with three consecutive, first language English or French courses/credits; OR
      • a notarized copy of my transcript or degree confirming graduation with an undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English or French

    *Language proficiency test results are valid only if completed within two years before beginning

    • the Structured Practical Training program; or
    • a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program.
  • Criminal Record, Vulnerable Sector Search, and Adult and Child Abuse Registry Checks

    Your application to the College to practice as a pharmacy technician-in-training must include a

    • Criminal Record Check including a Vulnerable Sector Search;
    • Adult Abuse Registry Check; and
    • Child Abuse Registry Check.

    These Checks must be dated within six months before you begin your Structured Practical Training (SPT). For example, if you begin your SPT on June 1, your Criminal Record and Abuse Registry Checks must be dated and submitted within January 1 and June 1 of that year.

    The name you list on your Checks must match your name on other application documents, exactly. If it is impossible to match your names exactly, all variations of your name used on your application documents must be listed as aliases on the Checks. As well, all previous names or aliases, such as a maiden name, must be listed.

    What is a Criminal Record Check?

    Criminal Record Check (sometimes called a police record check) indicates if you have been charged with or convicted of a crime. Your Criminal Record Check must be performed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or another Canadian police service, which confirms the check was completed using Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and based on the National Repository of Criminal Records of Canada.

    What is a Vulnerable Sector Search?

    Vulnerable Sector Search is an additional police information search to see if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences.

    How do I Submit a Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Search to the College?

    Outside of British Columbia (BC), a Vulnerable Sector Search must be conducted by the local police service where you live. Within BC, vulnerable sector checks can be conducted by the local police or the British Columbia Criminal Records Review Program.

    If you live in Winnipeg and you have been a resident of Canada for at least one year, you can complete your Criminal and Vulnerable Sector Search online through the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS): https://www.winnipeg.ca/police/pr/pic.stm

    When you apply for a criminal record check from the WPS, you must select the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) as an agent. The WPS online system will automatically send notice to CPhM when your check is ready. CPhM will download an electronic version of the report directly from the website. You are not required to send a copy to the CPhM office.

    If you live in a rural community in Manitoba with a local police service, you may apply for a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search through your local detachment. Some examples include the Brandon Police Service, Altona Police Service, or Winkler Police Service.

    If you live outside Winnipeg or outside of Manitoba, you can complete your Criminal Record Check with the RCMP or your local police service, but your Vulnerable Sector Search must be completed by the police service where you live.

    What are the Adult and Child Abuse Registry Checks?

    The Adult Abuse Registry lists people who have abused or neglected a vulnerable adult such as a person with a disability. For more information, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/adult_abuse_registry.html

    The Child Abuse Registry lists people who have abused or neglected children. For more information, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childfam/child_abuse_registry.html

    How Do I Submit the Adult and Child Abuse Registry Checks to the College?

    You must apply directly to the Adult Abuse Registry and Child Abuse Registry to obtain these checks. The Checks cannot be forwarded to a third-party. Please submit your original Checks with your application.

Step 2: Successfully complete the PEBC Qualifying Exam Parts I and II

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Examination (Qualifying Exam) ensures that pharmacy technicians-in-training possess the necessary skills and knowledge to practice as pharmacy technicians at entry-to-practice. You must successfully pass Parts I and II of the exam before you can proceed to Step 4 and apply to practice as a pharmacy technician in Manitoba. PEBC’s website outlines information about the Qualifying Exam including minimum requirements to write, scheduling and location, application procedures, and cost. PEBC Qualifying Exam certification expires after 3 years.

You should carefully review PEBC’s website and understand their policies and procedures well in advance of applying to write the Qualifying Exam.

PLEASE NOTE: You can complete Step 3 (SPT Program and JP Exam) before Step Two, but all of the steps must be completed regardless of the order.

Step 3: Successfully complete the Structured Practical Training Program and the Jurisprudence Examination

Structured Practical Training

You must successfully complete all parts of the Structured Practical Training (SPT) program to be listed as a pharmacy technician in Manitoba. The SPT program is based on the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry-to-Practice. Through observation, participation, and demonstration in a patient-care setting, you will develop the competencies you need to practice as a pharmacy technician in Manitoba.

To begin the SPT program, you must

  • find a practice site and supervisor;
  • complete and submit the Pharmacy Technician Structured Practical Training Notification Form to the College; and
  • receive approval from the College to begin an SPT program.

See the Structured Practical Training Program Manual and Logbook for more details.

Pharmacy Jurisprudence Modules and Jurisprudence Examination

Before CPhM can schedule you to write the Jurisprudence Examination (JP Exam), you must complete the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Modules. The modules are hosted by the University of Manitoba (U of M) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) website and you can complete them at any time.

Registration for the Modules: https://www.cpd-umanitoba.com/events/online-pharmacy-law/

Cost: $100 (payable to U of M CPD)

Estimated time to complete: 12 – 15 hours

You will have 2.5 hours to complete the online, live-proctored exam. The exam is a closed book exam in a multiple-choice format that contains 85 questions.  The JP Exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. You will only be provided with notice of a pass or a fail (no specific grade will be provided).

In addition to the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Modules, you can use the supplementary  JP Exam Study Material to prepare for the exam.

Once you successfully pass the JP Exam, your results are valid for two years. If you are not listed with the College within two years time then you will be required to re-take the exam to become a pharmacy technician.

You can make an appointment to write the JP Exam by emailing registration@cphm.ca. Please include proof of completing the Pharmacy Jurisprudence Modules (statement of completion AND confirmation of registration or payment receipt) with your email.

PLEASE NOTE: You can complete Step 3 (SPT Program and JP Exam) before Step Two, but all of the steps must be completed regardless of the order.

Step 4: Apply to be listed as a pharmacy technician with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba

Once you have successfully completed Steps 1- 3, you are eligible to apply to be listed as a pharmacy technician by the College. You must fill out an Application for Listing as a Pharmacy Technician and submit it to the College, along with the documentation listed on the application form, in-person or by regular mail.

Pharmacy Technician Scope of Practice

The pharmacy technician scope of practice focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the technical aspects of prescription and patient information, and of product and drug distribution.

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Structured Practical Training Program

The Structured Practical Training Program ensures that pharmacy technician applicants develop the competencies they need to practice as pharmacy technicians in Manitoba.

Learn more