What is the one-year CSPT® Candidacy Eligibility Window and what’s the 90-day CSPT Authorization To Schedule? – PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)

The CSPT® Candidacy Eligibility Window is one year, from when your application for CSPT Certification is approved. During this year-long period, candidates must complete all requirements to become CSPT certified, including passing the CSPT Exam and submitting an attestation form.

The Authorization To Schedule period is 90 days, beginning when your application for CSPT candidacy is approved. During this period, you must schedule and take the CSPT Exam. If you are unable to schedule and sit for the exam during this 90-day period, you must purchase an extension or withdraw your exam application. Extensions are available for $20 and extend the authorization to schedule your exam by 90 days. There is a limit of two 90-day extensions. If you already scheduled your exam, you must cancel the exam appointment before purchasing an extension.

If you do not purchase an extension or withdraw your application before your 90-day authorization period expires then you will forfeit all fees.

Candidacy Eligibility Window

To become a candidate for CSPT Certification, you must apply through your PTCB Account. Once your application for CSPT candidacy is approved, you will be granted a one-year Candidacy Eligibility Window. You must complete all CSPT Certification requirements within the year, including passing the CSPT Exam.
You can take the CSPT exam a maximum of two times within the one-year Candidacy Eligibility Window. If you are unable to meet the CSPT Certification requirements within the year, you will need to reapply.

Authorization to Schedule

If your application for CSPT candidacy is approved, you will receive an Authorization To Schedule email message from PTCB. The email instructs that you have 90 days to schedule and take the exam, and will provide the ‘begin date’ and ‘end date’ of your authorization window.
If you are unable to schedule and sit for the exam during this 90-day period, you have two options:

Option 1: Purchase an exam authorization extension. Extensions are available for $20 and extend the authorization to schedule by 90 days. There is a limit of two 90-day extensions. If you already scheduled your exam, you must cancel the exam before purchasing an extension.
Option 2: Withdraw your application. If you withdraw your application, you will receive a refund of examination registration fee ($149) minus a $50 administrative fee. If you do not withdraw, you forfeit the $149 exam registration fee as well as the $50 CSPT non-refundable application fee.