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Contributing author: Lianne Whitehead, CPPE education supervisor and ACPT lead
Training standards and the evolution of accuracy checking
Since accuracy checking became part of the pharmacy technician initial education and training standards in 2018, pharmacy technicians complete their Level 3 training with the skills and requirements for accuracy checking. For pharmacy technicians who qualified before the new standards were introduced, CPPE provides an opportunity to fill this gap in their training through our Accuracy checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) programme.
Since 2017, we have supported nearly 1,300 pharmacy technicians to complete their accuracy checking training, as part of a sustained national effort to strengthen skill mix, improve workflow resilience and ensure safe, efficient dispensing across England.
In the past, accuracy checking was considered a ‘nice to have’. The reality is that accuracy checking is now a core expectation in many workplaces and a skill that employers routinely look for when recruiting for any pharmacy technician role.
Why accuracy checking matters now more than ever
Accuracy checking is far more than a technical skill. For many pharmacy technicians, it is the gateway to career progression, professional confidence and greater responsibility within the pharmacy team.
In practice, the benefits reach far beyond the final accuracy check itself.
Career progression: Many employers now list accuracy checking as a standard requirement for all pharmacy technician roles. Without it, progression can stall.
Leadership development: Our ACPT programme strengthens decision making, professional judgement and accountability. These qualities underpin leadership at every level.
Improved accuracy: Learners consistently report that the discipline and rigour of accuracy checking enhances their accuracy in other areas of practice.
Confidence: Feedback from the programme repeatedly highlights increased confidence as one of the biggest benefits.
Better skill mix: When pharmacy technicians can accuracy check, other colleagues are freed to focus on clinical services and patient consultations.
Workforce resilience: A team with multiple accuracy checkers is more flexible, more efficient and better able to manage workload peaks safely.
Accuracy checking is now an essential component of modern pharmacy practice and a defining skill for pharmacy technicians who want to shape the future of the profession.
CPPE offers quality, experience & value
Our ACPT programme is a highly trusted and widely used route to accuracy checking in England. With nearly 10 years’ experience, we have refined the programme to meet the needs of busy pharmacy technicians and the realities of practice in all sectors.
Key features include:
Online delivery: Flexible, accessible learning designed around real-world practice.
Tutor support: CPPE has ACPT tutors who are experts in accuracy checking and pharmacy education, providing support and guidance throughout the programme.
National consistency: A programme recognised across England, ensuring portability and confidence for employers.
Competitive pricing: At £330 including VAT, the programme is in line with other providers but backed by CPPE’s expertise, sector knowledge and long-standing commitment to workforce development.
The CPPE ACPT programme has helped shape the national landscape of accuracy checking training. Its combination of structured learning, support and practical assessment has made it a trusted choice for pharmacy technicians and employers alike.
Last chance to apply
After nearly a decade of delivery, CPPE has reached a pivotal moment. The collective effort to upskill the workforce has been so successful that demand for ACPT training is now significantly lower. Many pharmacy technicians trained under older IET standards have completed ACPT, and newly qualified pharmacy technicians are entering the workforce with different training needs.
As a result, CPPE has made the difficult decision to stop accepting new applications for the ACPT programme after 31 December 2026. The programme will continue to run until 31 December 2027, after which it will formally close. For pharmacy technicians who still need to add accuracy checking to their qualifications, this is a final window of opportunity to complete it with CPPE.
It has been a privilege to support pharmacy technicians as they develop their careers through the programme, and I am immensely proud of the impact that it has had. The growth and development of the pharmacy technician workforce over recent years have been remarkable, and the future of the profession is incredibly positive.
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