Understanding Industry Certifications

Pharmacy Tech Certification Board's (PTCB) CPhT Program is nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and is the technician credential pharmacists trust. With the CPhT credential, technicians demonstrate their knowledge and commitment in medication safety and effective patient care across pharmacy settings. Employers prefer, and many require, their pharmacy technicians to be PTCB CPhTs.

PTCB CPhTs support pharmacists in delivering patient care in a variety of settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, and other facilities. Although CPhTs typically support the medication dispensing process, the legal scope of practice for CPhTs is defined by individual State Boards of Pharmacy.

Cleveland State University’s Dental Assistant training prepares learners for entry-level dental assisting roles and supports preparation for optional certification opportunities. In Ohio, dental assistants are not licensed as one general professional category, but specific duties may require additional authorization. Students who intend to take dental x-rays must meet Ohio State Dental Board requirements for the Dental X-Ray Machine Operator certificate. The DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam is the most focused certification opportunity connected to radiography readiness and can strengthen employment preparation. The NWCA Dental Assisting Clinical Certification may also help validate broader dental assisting competencies, but it does not replace DANB RHS preparation or Ohio’s dental x-ray authorization process.

Cleveland State University’s Surgical Tech Training prepares learners with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level surgical technology roles and supports preparation for the NCCT Tech in Surgery, Certified, or TS-C, certification pathway. Program completion is an important step, but certification is not automatic.

Students who complete an NCCT-authorized surgical technology program may qualify through NCCT’s Graduate Pathway. To pursue certification, students must submit the required NCCT documentation, including proof of program completion and the TS-C Critical Skills Competency form. NCCT also requires verification of 125 surgical cases, including at least 90 cases as first scrub, before certification can be granted.

Students should understand that Cleveland State’s training supports preparation for certification, but learners must still meet all NCCT requirements and submit the required documentation before earning the TS-C credential.