Online Pharmacy Technician Certification Prep

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 choice?

As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises, more pharmacy technicians will be needed in pharmacies, and they may even take on greater responsibilities in their role. The profession offers strong job stability and many job opportunities for skilled pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy techs can work in retail pharmacies, grocery stores, hospitals, long-term care facilities and even in research facilities. 

Can I earn college credits with this pharmacy technician training?

Please note that our Pharmacy Technician Certification Prep program is noncredit-bearing. It is designed to prepare you to enter the workforce quickly.

Course Objectives 

Our Pharmacy Technician program prepares you to enter the workforce quickly, in just one year or less. You’ll learn from expert instructors through interactive lessons, hands-on practice and 24/7 access to self-paced lessons. The course equips you with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Essential professional skills, including accuracy, attention to detail and communication expectations necessary for success in a pharmacy setting.
• Pharmacy regulations and standards from regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure patient safety, high-quality care and proper medication handling.
• Medication processing and handling procedures, including the ability to identify medication orders and read prescription forms accurately.
• Medication storage guidelines and quality assurance procedures in the pharmacy department.
• Preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which leads to the highly respected Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential upon successful completion.

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 U.S. Therefore, PTCB exams are generally only administered in the U.S. Active members of the U.S. 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.