PTCB CSDP study plan
PTCB CSDP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Sterile Compounding Equipment, Facilities, and Environmental Monitoring & Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding Procedures
Diagram the primary engineering controls (ISO Class 5 hoods, buffer areas, ante areas) and label airflow direction from memory
List the required pressure differentials, air changes per hour, and temperature/humidity ranges for each cleanroom area
Sequence the steps of hand hygiene and garbing in the correct order for non-hazardous compounding
Identify which compounding activities belong in which controlled space and justify each placement
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn facility map with labeled airflow, pressure differentials, and a written garbing sequence checklist scored against reference notes
Sterile Compounding Equipment, Facilities, and Environmental Monitoring & Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding Procedures
Explain how each environmental monitoring method (viable/nonviable particle counts, surface and air sampling) is performed and interpreted
Practice the mechanics of aseptic technique: syringe manipulation, needle handling, and avoiding touch contamination
Calculate and interpret CFU action levels and particle count limits for each ISO class
Describe corrective actions triggered by out-of-limit environmental results
Your checkpoint
A one-page monitoring interpretation table (method, frequency, limit, action) plus a self-scored aseptic technique practice log with 10 documented attempts
Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding Procedures & Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Drug Handling and Safety
Perform the full workflow for preparing a CSP from start to finish, verbalizing each critical step
Differentiate hazardous from non-hazardous handling requirements and identify which PPE applies to each
Demonstrate correct use of a closed system transfer device and explain its purpose
Calculate beyond-use dates for low-, medium-, and high-risk preparations using the correct reference framework
Your checkpoint
A written step-by-step SOP for one sterile preparation that correctly assigns risk level, BUD, and PPE, reviewed against your study references
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Drug Handling and Safety & Sterilization, Disinfection, and Infection Control
Map the hazardous drug handling chain: receipt, storage, compounding, transport, spill, and waste disposal
Outline spill kit contents and the response steps for a hazardous drug spill
Compare sterilization methods (autoclave, ethylene oxide, radiation) by mechanism, use case, and monitoring
Distinguish disinfection from sterilization and select appropriate agents for each surface and situation
Your checkpoint
A hazardous drug spill response flowchart plus a sterilization-vs-disinfection comparison matrix, self-quizzed to 90% accuracy
Sterilization, Disinfection, and Infection Control & Quality Assurance, Documentation, and Regulatory Standards
Explain infection control practices: hand hygiene indications, PPE doffing order, and isolation precautions relevant to compounding
Describe the components of a quality assurance program including SOPs, training records, and competency assessment
Identify the regulatory bodies and standards governing sterile compounding and what each one controls
Interpret documentation requirements for CSPs, equipment logs, and cleaning records
Your checkpoint
A regulatory crosswalk table mapping each standard/body to the specific practice it governs, plus a sample completed CSP documentation record
Quality Assurance, Documentation, and Regulatory Standards & Pharmacology, Calculations, and Preparation Verification
Perform sterile compounding calculations: dilutions, concentrations, osmolarity checks, and dose conversions
Verify a prepared CSP against the original order, checking drug, dose, base, volume, and compatibility
Explain stability and compatibility considerations that affect preparation and BUD decisions
Describe common high-alert medications and the double-check safeguards applied to them
Your checkpoint
A 20-question calculation and verification problem set completed with 85% or higher and errors fully corrected and explained
Pharmacology, Calculations, and Preparation Verification & Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding Procedures
Review pharmacology essentials: drug classes, common sterile products, and their handling precautions
Rehearse aseptic technique under timed conditions to build speed without sacrificing sterility
Identify the most common preparation errors and the verification steps that catch them
Practice explaining a preparation verification decision out loud as if to a colleague
Your checkpoint
A timed mock aseptic preparation walkthrough with a written self-assessment identifying three specific technique weaknesses and a correction plan
Sterile Compounding Equipment, Facilities, and Environmental Monitoring & Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding Procedures & Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Drug Handling and Safety & Sterilization, Disinfection, and Infection Control & Quality Assurance, Documentation, and Regulatory Standards & Pharmacology, Calculations, and Preparation Verification
Complete a full-length practice assessment under exam conditions and score it by domain
Target the two weakest domains with focused review based on practice results
Recite key limits, BUDs, and pressure differentials from memory without notes
Build a final one-page quick-reference sheet covering the highest-yield facts
Your checkpoint
A scored full-length practice exam with a domain-by-domain breakdown and a completed one-page quick-reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can reproduce the cleanroom layout, pressure differentials, and garbing sequence from memory with no notes
Week 4: Scores 85% or higher on a self-made quiz covering hazardous handling, spill response, and sterilization methods
Week 6: Completes the calculation and verification problem set at 85% or higher with all errors corrected
Week 8: Scores 80% or higher on the full-length practice exam with no domain below 70%