Become a pharmacy technician

This 100% online pharmacy technician course will prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)—exam voucher included. Your training helps you understand how to assist the pharmacist in the packing and distribution of medication. You will obtain hands-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures through an online lab module.

Pharmacy technician training covers the ethics of pharmacy practice and education about prescription medications, patient care and interaction, and charges and reimbursement. You will also have the option to perform a hands-on, 100-hour Clinical Experience. Clinical Experiences are based on individual state board requirements, see requirements below.

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Job outlook for pharmacy technicians

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for pharmacy technicians will grow 6% through 2032, faster than the average rate for all other professions (3%). Over the decade, around 44,900 jobs for pharmacy technicians are expected annually.

The BLS notes that, on average, the annual salary for pharmacy technicians is $40,300 (as of May 2023), with the top 10% earning more than $57,000.

Pharmacy technicians FAQs

WHAT IS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN? WHAT DOES A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN DO?

Pharmacy technicians order and stock medications, prepare medications for distribution and provide information to patients. Pharmacy technicians may perform many of the same duties as a pharmacist; however, their work must be approved by a pharmacist before medication can be dispensed.

DO PHARMACY TECHNICIANS NEED CERTIFICATION?

Requirements for pharmacy technicians vary by state, but most require certification, registration or licensure. Earning your certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides a valuable, industry-recognized credential that meets most states’ requirements.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN COURSE?

Pharmacy technician training can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you spend in Clinical Experience or preparing and sitting for state licensure.

IS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN A GOOD CAREER?

As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, more pharmacy technicians will be needed in pharmacies and may even see themselves taking on greater responsibilities in their role.

Course objectives

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacy technician role, including essential professional skills and communication expectations necessary for success in a pharmacy setting
• Understand pharmacy regulations and standards from regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure patient safety, high-quality care, and proper medication handling
• Gain practical knowledge of medication processing and handling procedures, including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately
• Learn about medication storage guidelines and quality assurance procedures in the pharmacy department
• Develop essential skills for success as a pharmacy technician, including accuracy, attention to detail, and effective communication
• Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and earn the highly respected Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential upon successful completion

Prerequisites and certification requirements

To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older. You should be proficient in keyboarding (approximately 35 words per minute), have a basic understanding of a word-processing computer program (Microsoft Word is recommended), have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.

To participate in the competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor, you will need to have access to a video camera (on the phone or other device of familiarity) and be able to upload the video as an .mp4 file to the assignment pages for review. These activities are required in order to pass the course successfully.

Certification requirements

• Reside in the United States of America or its territories (US)
• Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or equivalent Practicum Experience
• Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
• Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
• Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)

State requirements

You must ensure that the Pharmacy Technician course meets your state’s requirements. For more information, visit your state’s Board of Pharmacy site or view a map directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website. You can also call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations. This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Please note that PTCB credentials are designed for use exclusively in the US. Therefore, PTCB exams are generally only administered in the US. Active members of the US military and their spouses are an exception and are eligible to test anywhere in the world.

Clinical experience requirements

As a student in our Pharmacy Technician course, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in our exclusive Clinical Experience, which provides a valuable advantage in today’s competitive job market. Through our nationwide agreement with several pharmacies, you can gain hands-on experience and assist pharmacists with prescriptions, patient inquiries, and administrative tasks.

To qualify for the Clinical Experience, you will need to meet certain requirements, including passing a drug screening test, obtaining professional liability insurance, completing a background check and employment verification, meeting current immunization standards, and conforming with state mandates such as registration, fingerprinting, licensing, etc. Additional forms may be necessary for participation in the Clinical Experience with certain pharmacies.

Please note that while we strive to find available openings, a Clinical Experience placement is not guaranteed for the Pharmacy Technician course and may take up to 12 weeks to secure. As a candidate, you should start applying for the PTBC Trainee License 2 weeks before you take the final exam in the course.

Instructors

• Carline Dalgleish
• Sharon L. Blackford
• Stacey O’Brien
• Leahnata Davis
• Kate Moura Dos Santos
• Alexis M. Ramirez
• Mary Mould
• Melissa Dunworth
• Betty Stahl
• Lorraine Zentz

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Registration and enrollment

• This course is 100% online.
• Start anytime.

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