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Online Pharmacy Technician Program (2024)

Pharmacy Technician

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Starting a career as a Pharmacy Technician is a promising move into the stable healthcare field. The demand for skilled Pharmacy Technicians is rising, prompting many schools to offer convenient online classes. This article covers what Pharmacy Technicians do, the availability and sources of online classes, and what these courses entail. By completing a pharmacy technician training program online, individuals can position themselves for pharmacy technician jobs. Apparently, becoming a certified pharmacy technician can lead to earning a good pharmacy technician salary.

Key Points

  • A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who assists pharmacists in preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, and providing customer service.
  • Pharmacy technician training can be completed online through various accredited programs.
  • The pharmacy technician schools renowned for their comprehensive online pharmacy technician programs include CareerStep, MedCerts, Penn Foster, Stepful, and US Career Institute.
  • It typically takes 9 months to 2 years to become a pharmacy technician, depending on the chosen program.
  • The average pharmacy technician salary per year is $40,300.

License

A license is a mandatory requirement in some states for individuals to work as pharmacy technicians. Licensing involves meeting specific educational and training requirements, as well as passing an exam regulated by the state's board of pharmacy.

Here's a breakdown of the states that require certification and licensure:

Alabama

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Alaska

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Arizona

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Arkansas

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

California

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Colorado

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Connecticut

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Delaware

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? No
  • Technician representation on board? No

Florida

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Georgia

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Hawaii

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? No
  • Technician representation on board? No

Idaho

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Illinois

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Indiana

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Iowa

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Kansas

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Kentucky

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Louisiana

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Maine

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Maryland

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Massachusetts

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Michigan

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Minnesota

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Mississippi

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Missouri

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Montana

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Nebraska

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Nevada

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

New Hampshire

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

New Jersey

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

New Mexico

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

New York

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? No
  • Technician representation on board? No

North Carolina

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

North Dakota

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Ohio

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Oklahoma

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Oregon

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Pennsylvania

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? No
  • Technician representation on board? No

Rhode Island

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

South Carolina

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

South Dakota

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Tennessee

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Texas

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Utah

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Vermont

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Virginia

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Washington

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

West Virginia

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Wisconsin

  • Certification required? No
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? No

Wyoming

  • Certification required? Yes
  • Registration or License required? Yes
  • Technician representation on board? Yes

Learn more about the Pharmacy Technician

How much does a pharmacy technician make?

The average pharmacy technician salary is $40,300 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2023. Salaries can vary widely, ranging from $32,000 to over $57,000 per year, influenced by factors such as location, experience, and employer.

What is the highest paying pharmacy technician job?

The highest paying pharmacy technician jobs are typically found in specialized fields like nuclear pharmacy or with government agencies, where salaries can exceed $50,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Top-paying states for Pharmacy Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top-paying (annual mean wage) states for pharmacy technicians in the United States are:

  • California: $55,710
  • Alaska: $55,390
  • Washington: $54,030
  • Massachusetts: $50,440
  • Hawaii: $49,810

Which course is best for pharmacy technician?

The best course for pharmacy technicians is CareerSteps comprehensive online program, which offers in-depth training, flexible learning options, and strong support to prepare students for certification and employment.

What is the best certificate for pharmacy technician?

The best certificate for pharmacy technicians is the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), as it is widely recognized and ensures high standards of knowledge and skills.

Where does a Pharmacy Technician work?

Pharmacy technicians can find employment in a variety of settings, including:

  • Community pharmacies (retail drug stores)
  • Hospital pharmacies
  • Clinics and healthcare facilities
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Mail-order pharmacies

How to become a pharmacy technician?

To become a pharmacy technician, complete an accredited training program, such as those from CareerStep or Penn Foster, pass the certification exam from the PTCB or NHA, and meet any state-specific registration or licensure requirements.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

It typically takes 9 months to 2 years to become a pharmacy technician, depending on the chosen training program and whether you pursue a certificate or an associate degree. After completing the program, you will need to pass the certification exam, such as the one offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and meet any additional state-specific requirements.

What comes after becoming a Pharmacy Technician?

After gaining experience as a pharmacy technician, there are several career advancement opportunities to explore:

  • Becoming a lead or senior pharmacy technician with increased responsibilities and supervision duties.
  • Pursuing further education to become a pharmacist.
  • Transitioning into related roles, such as pharmaceutical sales representative or pharmacy manager.
  • Specializing in areas like nuclear pharmacy, compounding, or medication therapy management.

Pharmacy Technician classes by city

If you prefer to explore local options for pharmacy technician classes, you can browse through this list or you can always search by zip code if your city is not listed.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a pharmacy technician through an online certification program is a convenient and flexible way to enter the field of pharmacy. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this rewarding career. Remember to research and choose an accredited online program, complete the required coursework and training, prepare for the certification exam, and pass the exam to become a certified pharmacy technician.

Consider Dreambound as a valuable resource if you're thinking about getting started in this field. We've written many guides to help with the different parts of the certification process across the country:

Joanna Paragas
Written by
Joanna Paragas

Joanna Paragas is part of the Growth team at Dreambound. Her primary role involves creating various automation to streamline workflows and make tasks more efficient for the entire team. Beyond her professional endeavors, Joanna enjoys spending her free time playing with her dogs and enhancing her knowledge by enrolling in online courses.

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