Pharmacy Technician Assessment (NSPR-PTA)

The NSPR-PTA is the competency-based practice assessment for pharmacy technicians. A competency-based assessment provides assurance to the pharmacy regulator that a pharmacy technician candidate possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice pharmacy safely, effectively, and ethically within their legislated scope of practice. The NSPR-PTA focuses on demonstrated performance.

Successful completion of the NSPR-PTA is a registration requirement for:

Pharmacy technician candidates who have completed an approved bridging program and who are applying for licensure in Nova Scotia as a pharmacy technician for the first time.
Pharmacy technician candidates who have been trained and hold a licence/registration outside of Canada and who are applying for licensure in Nova Scotia as a pharmacy technician in Canada for the first time (exception for candidates from Great Britain).

If you have any questions about the NSPR-PTA, please contact the Registrations and Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca.

NSPR-PTA General Information

NSPR-PTA Assessment Overview

Format of the Assessment

The specific competencies targeted in the NSPR-PTA are set out in the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice in Canada (2024) document. The layout of the assessment mirrors that of the NAPRA competency document:

Competency Domain

>> Key Competencies

>> Enabling Competencies

The assessment is focused on 14 Key Competencies captured under 4 Competency Domains. The Key Competencies represent broadly defined competencies required of all pharmacy professionals. The Enabling Competencies that fall under the Key Competency are sub-elements and denote more defined expectations of all pharmacy professionals or are specific to the role of a pharmacy technician.

Behavioural indicators are listed under the enabling competencies and are intended to assist the assessor in evaluating the candidate. They represent examples of specific activities or actions that could be used to demonstrate competence of the related element. Not all behavioural indicators will need to be observed and they may differ depending on the assessment site (e.g., community vs. hospital). Assessors may use their judgment to identify other activities at their assessment site that would demonstrate competence of a particular element.

NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool

Assessment Rating Scale

The NSPR-PTA has a 4-point rating scale (1-unsatisfactory, 2-needs improvement, 3-satisfactory, and 4-exemplary). A score of 3 or 4 is required to reflect adequate demonstration of a competency. An assessor cannot assign half-scores; if the candidate’s performance falls somewhere between two ratings, the lesser rating must be applied.

For all but one key competency, the 4-point rating scale criteria are identical and take into consideration an assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, skills and abilities to engage in activities / demonstrate behaviours and the level of guidance required by the candidate versus more independent practice.

The rating scale criteria for Key Competency 3.1 (Use Effective Communication Skills) are different in that they directly reference the related behavioural indicators. This is intended to assist the assessor in objectively evaluating this nuanced competency. As pharmacy technicians serve as a key point of contact between patients, pharmacy team members, and other healthcare providers, and the ability to successfully communicate underpins virtually all practice activities, having strong communication skills is essential in delivering safe and effective pharmacy care. An assessment of communication skills needs to consider not just what was seen or heard, but also the effectiveness and impact of communication in different contexts.

The final assessment for each key competency takes into consideration the candidate’s practice throughout the entire assessment period.

Length of Assessment

The length of the assessment is a minimum of 35 hours completed over a one-week period. If necessary to accommodate working schedules and to allow for sufficient time for the candidate to adequately demonstrate competence in all key competency areas, the assessment period can be extended to a maximum of 70 hours completed over a two-week period.

Unsuccessful NSPR-PTA Attempt

If the candidate is not successful in demonstrating competence, further development of competence will be required, and the candidate will not be able to reapply for the NSPR-PTA for a minimum of four weeks.

The candidate will be provided with a performance profile that identifies the relative strengths and gaps in their performance in relation to the competencies being assessed. The candidate is encouraged to review the performance profile and prepare a learning action plan which includes defining learning objectives and goals for each competency area that requires development and identifying how they can improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities for these areas.

The candidate is also encouraged to engage a “coach” (or coaches) who can help guide the candidate’s self-directed, individualized training and help them prepare for their next NSPR-PTA attempt. Training/development could include identifying and discussing with the candidate relevant study materials (e.g., learning modules, practice tools) that will improve their knowledge, and defining or identifying suitable practice opportunities to help the candidate apply their knowledge to improve their skills and abilities.

It is in the candidate’s best interest to choose someone who is able and willing to help them succeed in preparing for their next NSPR-PTA attempt and the assessment site should provide enough opportunities for the candidate to fulfill their goals as set out in their learning action plan. The candidate should actively seek feedback to help them address areas they need to improve in their practice.

The duration of the development period will depend on the number of areas identified through the NSPR-PTA assessment as requiring development and the amount of time it will take to address them, but as noted above, must be a minimum of four weeks.

When the candidate believes they are ready to re-attempt the NSPR-PTA, the candidate can submit a completed NSPR-PTA Candidate Application, choosing a different assessment site and assessor, and pay the assessment fee.

Preparing for the NSPR-PTA

It is important that pharmacy technician candidates review all information about the NSPR-PTA, including the NSPR website, the NSPR-PTA Candidate Guide, and the NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool, to fully understand what will be required in meeting this licensing requirement and the competencies they will be assessed on when they undergo the NSPR-PTA.

Candidates should only attempt the NSPR-PTA when they feel they are well-prepared for the assessment.

Working or volunteering as a pharmacy assistant does not allow you to practise in the scope of a pharmacy technician and will not provide sufficient practice opportunities to fully prepare for the NSPR-PTA. It is important that those intending to apply for the NSPR-PTA have registered with the NSPR as a pharmacy technician candidate and gained adequate experience working within the scope of practice of a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technician candidates are authorized to undertake activities that fall within the scope of practice as a pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

Pharmacy managers, owners, and employers are encouraged to provide opportunities for candidates preparing for the NSPR-PTA to become comfortable performing activities that fall within the pharmacy technician scope of practice. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can train candidates and provide feedback to help them improve their competency.

Pharmacy technician candidates are ready for the NSPR-PTA when they and their supervising pharmacy professional(s) believe they can practice safely and independently.

NSPR-PTA Candidate Information

NSPR-PTA Candidate Eligibility

NSPR-PTA Candidate Application & Process

Review NSPR-PTA Information and Complete the NSPR-PTA Self-Evaluation of Readiness Tool

It is important that pharmacy technician candidates review the information about the NSPR-PTA on this website and the following documents to fully understand what will be required in meeting this licensing requirement.

NSPR-PTA Candidate Guide

NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool

Candidates are also encouraged to complete the NSPR-PTA Self-Evaluation of Readiness Tool to assist them in gauging their readiness for the NSPR-PTA. The self-evaluation tool is not reviewed by the NSPR.

Complete the NSPR-PTA Self-Evaluation of Readiness Tool.

Find an Approved Assessor/Assessment Site

Pharmacy technician candidates are responsible for securing an NSPR-PTA Assessor and Assessment Site that is approved by the NSPR. If available, it is advisable for the candidate to complete the NSPR-PTA in a practice setting similar to where they have previous experience (e.g., hospital, community, similar workflow and/or pharmacy software).

Employers of pharmacy technician candidates are encouraged to assist their employees in securing an assessment site. Employers will need to check their insurance coverage to confirm coverage for their employee when offsite doing their assessment.

Candidates must complete the NSPR-PTA in a pharmacy where they:

have not worked or volunteered (on a regular basis);
have no prior relationship with the assessor; and
have no conflict of interest (see Bias and Conflict of Interest in NSPR-PTA).

For clarity, a candidate’s assessment site could be part of the same hospital network or the same pharmacy chain or banner of their current workplace.

NSPR staff will review all applications to determine if the candidate will be allowed to complete their assessment with the proposed assessor at the proposed assessment site. If the candidate or assessor are unsure whether the assessor or assessment site meets program requirements, they should contact the NSPR Registrations and Licensing Team (registrations@nspharmacy.ca) for guidance.

Failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest may lead to a decision requiring the candidate to redo the NSPR-PTA with a different assessor at a different assessment site and at additional cost.

Find an approved NSPR-PTA Assessment Site

The NSPR maintains a list of approved NSPR-PTA Assessment Sites. You can contact these sites to inquire about the availability of an assessor.

List of Approved NSPR-PTA Assessment Sites

Request NSPR Approval for a New Assessor/Assessment Site

If you have identified an assessor/assessment site that has not yet been approved, please ask them to apply to be an assessor. See NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Application and Process below for more information.

Complete the Candidate Application Form

You must have an assessor and assessment site secured before submitting your application.

Complete the online NSPR-PTA Candidate Application Form.

You will be notified within 10 business days of the outcome of your completed application.

Pay Fees

Fees must be paid in full before your application will be processed.

The cost is listed in the Fee Schedule.

Once you submit your application, you will be sent a payment link by email within two business days which will allow you to pay by VISA, VISA Debit, MasterCard, or Debit MasterCard.

Receive Application Approval

You must wait until your application has been approved and you have received written communication from the NSPR before scheduling your NSPR-PTA with your assessor.

Schedule Your NSPR-PTA with Your Assessor

Once you have received approval from the NSPR, you can schedule a time to complete your NSPR-PTA with your assessor. The assessment must be at least 35 hours in duration.

The candidate and assessor will work together to determine the start date and scheduling for the assessment and any pre-assessment orientation time (see below) that may be required.

Candidates should check with their employer and assessor about what workplace insurance coverage is in place during the assessment.

Undertake the NSPR-PTA

Orientation Period

In preparation for the assessment, it is important that candidates are properly orientated to various aspects of the assessment site to ensure they are sufficiently prepared to engage in practice at that site. Providing for a period of orientation before the candidate starts the assessment allows the assessor and pharmacy staff to teach the candidate the basics (e.g., how to use software, pharmacy-specific processes and procedures). The amount of time required for orientation may vary among candidates and will be influenced by the candidate’s prior practice experiences. Orientation hours do not count towards meeting required assessment hours.

During the orientation, the pharmacy technician candidate:

Gets familiar with the pharmacy workflow and software by observing the assessor and the other pharmacy staff
Uses the NSPR-PTA Orientation Checklist as a guide for the orientation
Asks site-specific questions
May assist with the dispensing / drug distribution process (assistant activities) to ensure they are prepared to engage in practice
Does not engage in practice as a pharmacy technician

During the orientation, the NSPR-PTA Assessor:

May delegate parts of the orientation to other pharmacy staff members
Uses the NSPR-PTA Orientation Checklist as a guide for the orientation
Answers site-specific questions
Does not provide training on how to practise as a pharmacy technician

At the end of the orientation, the candidate confirms to the assessor they are ready to proceed to the assessment.

Assessment Period

The candidate practices under the direct supervision and observation of the NSPR-PTA Assessor for the entire assessment period. This responsibility cannot be entrusted to another pharmacy staff member, except for a co-assessor as noted above in “Assessor Responsibilities”.

During the assessment, the assessor:

Must be physically present and always observe the candidate’s practice
Provides the candidate opportunities to demonstrate the 14 key competencies within the 4 competency domains as set out in the NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool
Assesses the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and ability to safely and independently practice as a pharmacy technician within their scope of practice using the assessment criteria as set out in the NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool
Does not provide the candidate with practice training
Does not provide the candidate with feedback about their performance

During the assessment, the candidate:

Practices within their scope of practice under the direct supervision of the NSPR-PTA Assessor
Demonstrates their readiness to practise as a pharmacy technician in a safe, effective, and independent manner
Can only practise while their assessor is present

Assessor Submits their Completed Pharmacy Technician Assessment Tool

At the end of the assessment, the NSPR-PTA Assessor will apply a rating for each of the key competencies that is reflective of their candidate’s performance. Assessors will have taken training on how to properly use the NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool and apply ratings. The NSPR-PTA Assessor submits their final assessment to the NSPR (using an online submission form) within three business days of completion of the assessment. The assessor does not share any assessment ratings with the candidate.

NSPR-PTA Results

The submitted final assessment will be reviewed by the NSPR and a decision will be made on the outcome of the assessment. There are two possible final outcomes:

Competence Demonstrated

The candidate has successfully demonstrated entry-to-practice competency through the completion of the NSPR-PTA and has met the licensing requirement.

Development Required

The candidate has not successfully demonstrated entry-to-practice competency through completion of the NSPR-PTA and further development is required before re-attempting the NSPR-PTA.

If the candidate is not successful in demonstrating competence, further development of competence will be required, and the candidate must wait at least four weeks before reapplying to take the assessment. See NSPR-PTA Assessment Overview>Unsuccessful NSPR-PTA Attempt above.

A candidate’s assessment results may be referred to the Pharmacy Technician Assessment Advisory Committee for consideration in determining the outcome.

The NSPR will endeavour to inform the pharmacy technician candidate of the status of their assessment decision within ten business days after submission by the assessor.

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Information

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Eligibility

Assessor Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

You are eligible to be a NSPR-PTA Assessor if you have:

a NSPR pharmacy technician or pharmacist licence and have practised within your respective scope of practice for at least one year in Canada;
no conditions or limitations on your licence;
no open cases undergoing a professional accountability process in Nova Scotia or other jurisdiction;
no findings of professional misconduct, conduct unbecoming, professional incompetence, or incapacity made against you in Nova Scotia or other jurisdiction; and
completed the required online NSPR-PTA Assessor Training.

Note: With respect to assessing an individual candidate, assessors need to ensure they have no conflict of interest (see Bias and Conflict of Interest in NSPR-PTA).

Assessment Site Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

A pharmacy is eligible to be a NSPR-PTA Assessment site if it:

is a hospital or community pharmacy located in Nova Scotia;
has an organizational structure (e.g., staffing and resources) that supports the role of a NSPR-PTA Assessor;
has a physical structure that permits an appropriate degree of side-by-side interaction between the candidate and assessor; and
provides sufficient practice opportunities for the candidate to engage in the scope of practice of a pharmacy technician and demonstrate the relevant entry to practice competencies.

NSPR-PTA Assessor Responsibilities

Assessor Responsibilities

NSPR-PTA Assessors directly supervise and observe a candidate and provide a report to the NSPR on the candidate’s readiness to practice.

Assessors have several key responsibilities. First, they must ensure the candidate is properly oriented to the assessment site. Following this, assessors directly supervise and observe the candidate throughout the assessment period. This allows assessors to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to determine if the candidate can safely and independently practice as a pharmacy technician within their designated scope of practice. Finally, the assessor rates the candidate’s ability to demonstrate the entry-to-practice competencies and submits a final assessment.

The assessor does not train the candidate on how to practise pharmacy and does not provide feedback to the candidate about their performance during the assessment.

Co-Assessors

Two assessors working at the same assessment site are permitted to share assessor responsibilities. Both assessors are required to submit their own NSPR-PTA Assessor application and be approved by the NSPR. The names of both assessors must be provided when the candidate applies for the NSPR-PTA.

Working collaboratively, co-assessors will ensure that all requirements of the program are met, including that the candidate is observed and always supervised by an assessor, and that all competencies are assessed. Co-assessors will jointly determine the final assessment ratings for each key competency.

Software limitations prevent more than one assessor accessing the online NSPR submission form and inputting the final assessment results, but the name of the two co-assessors will be recorded on the submission and it will be considered a mutually agreed upon assessment.

Time Commitment

The assessment takes place over a minimum period of 35 hours / one week but can be extended to a maximum of 70 hours / two weeks. The length of an assessment is dependent on such factors as the assessor’s working schedule and the number of opportunities that present for the candidate to effectively demonstrate competence in all key competency areas. The assessor must always supervise and observe the candidate during the assessment period.

There may be an additional time commitment associated with orienting the candidate to the assessment site prior to beginning the assessment; however, assessors can delegate parts of the orientation to another staff member.

There is a requirement to complete an online training course to be approved as an NSPR-PTA Assessor.

Honorarium

NSPR-PTA Assessors will receive a $300 honorarium for each candidate they assess. If co-assessors share the assessment responsibilities, the honorarium will be split equally between the two assessors.

NSPR-PTA Assessors are required to submit a completed Honorarium Claim Form to the NSPR once the candidate’s final assessment has been submitted to the NSPR. Co-assessors must each submit the Honorarium Claim Form.

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Application & Process

Review NSPR-PTA Assessor Guide and Assessment Tool

Review the NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool and Assessor Guide to familiarize yourself with what you will be expected to assess.

NSPR-PTA Assessor Guide

NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool

Complete the Required NSPR-PTA Training

To become a NSPR-PTA Assessor, you must complete the following online training requirements:

Watch the Training Video: View the one-hour recorded presentation available on the NSPR’s YouTube channel. This training can be completed at your own pace (asynchronously).
Complete the Self-Assessment Quiz: After watching the presentation, click the “NSPR-PTA Assessor Training Self-Assessment Quiz” link found in the YouTube video description. Successful completion of this short quiz is mandatory to be eligible as an assessor.
Download your CEU Certificate: Upon finishing the short quiz, you will be prompted to download a certificate for 1.0 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) from Dalhousie Continuing Pharmacy Education.

Complete the NSPR-PTA Assessor Application Form

Complete the online NSPR-PTA Assessor Application Form.

The application form will also ask for your consent to publish your assessment site contact information on the NSPR’s List of Approved NSPR-PTA Assessment Sites.

Receive Application Approval

You must wait until your application has been approved and you have received written communication from the NSPR before scheduling any assessments. You only need to apply to be an assessor once. If your workplace changes, please contact the NSPR Registrations and Licensing Team at registrations@nspharmacy.ca.

Schedule the NSPR-PTA with the Candidate

Once both you and the candidate have received written approval from the NSPR, you can schedule a time to complete the NSPR-PTA.

Note: Assessors need to ensure they have no conflict of interest with the candidate before agreeing to be their assessor (see Bias and Conflict of Interest in NSPR-PTA)

Submit Your Completed NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool

The NSPR-PTA Assessor submits their final assessment to the NSPR using an online submission form within three business days of completion of the assessment. In the case of co-assessors, both assessors must agree on the final assessment but only one assessor submits the final assessment on behalf of both.

The assessor does not share any assessment ratings with the candidate.

Complete and submit the online NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool.

NSPR-PTA General Information

NSPR-PTA Assessment Overview

Preparing for the NSPR-PTA

NSPR-PTA Candidate Information

NSPR-PTA Candidate Eligibility

NSPR-PTA Candidate Application & Process

Review NSPR-PTA Information and Complete the NSPR-PTA Self-Evaluation of Readiness Tool

Find an Approved Assessor/Assessment Site

Complete the Candidate Application Form

Pay Fees

Receive Application Approval

Schedule Your NSPR-PTA with Your Assessor

Undertake the NSPR-PTA

Assessor Submits their Completed Pharmacy Technician Assessment Tool

NSPR-PTA Results

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Information

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Eligibility

NSPR-PTA Assessor Responsibilities

NSPR-PTA Assessor/Assessment Site Application & Process

Review NSPR-PTA Assessor Guide and Assessment Tool

Complete the Required NSPR-PTA Training

Complete the NSPR-PTA Assessor Application Form

Receive Application Approval

Schedule the NSPR-PTA with the Candidate

Submit Your Completed NSPR-PTA Assessment Tool

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a candidate select a NSPR-PTA Assessment Site that is part of the same organization where they currently work?

What should a candidate do if they develop concerns regarding their NSPR-PTA Assessor or Assessment Site during their assessment?

What should a candidate do if they have started their NSPR-PTA and are unable to continue?

I was unsuccessful in my NSPR-PTA. What now?