How to Pursue Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Three Steps

Pharmacy technicians are important members of the healthcare system, working under the direction of pharmacists to dispense medication, provide information and support customers. If you are curious about how to become a pharmacy technician, this guide will take you through the steps to pursuing this career.

What Do Pharmacy Technicians Do?

A day in the life of a pharmacy technician often involves a range of responsibilities: potentially including:

• Mixing medications
• Packaging and labeling prescription medications
• Recording patient medical records
• Processing paperwork from health insurers
• Handling authorization requests for prescription refills
• Assisting with vaccinations
• Answering phone calls
• Measuring medications

Pharmacy technicians work in many settings, including retail pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, hospitals, and care homes.

How Do I Become a Pharmacy Technician?

To pursue a career path toward becoming a practicing pharmacy technician is a process which can be summarized into three stages:

1. If you wish, or if it is required by your state or desired employer, complete a pharmacy technician educational program.
2. Prepare for, take and pass the PTCB certification exam (if required by your state or potential employer)
3. Obtain your pharmacy technician license through your state’s Board of Pharmacy. Specific regulations may apply to your state.

Continue reading below for a more detailed explanation of each stage.

Step 1: Identify and complete a Pharm Tech training program.

If your state, employer, or you personally require it, the first step to pursuing a pharmacy tech career is researching and applying for a pharm tech training program. Some employers may only require a high school diploma. In many states, however completing a program may be required.

There are many programs out there, from on-campus to remote programs which can be completed mostly online. You can choose the program that is a good fit for you.

You’ll likely be required to complete an on-site externship. Your instructors or school should help you connect with an externship site which will allow you to gain real-world experience.

Step 2: Take the Pharm Tech certification exam.

To become a pharmacy tech, you may need to pass a certification exam.

Your diploma or degree program will likely include certification prep. This can prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), which is often a requirement for pharm tech roles.

What to expect during certification preparation

Pharmacy technician certification programs usually cover the following subjects:

• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Anatomy
• Pharmacy law and ethics
• Medical terminology
• Pharmaceutical calculations
• Healthcare systems

Your pharm tech program should have given you the knowledge needed to pass the PTCE. Ahead of the exam, you’ll want to spend time reviewing these key topics.

Taking the PTCE

You must take the PTCB certification exam, if eligible, in-person by applying via the PTCB portal. It costs $129 to apply to take the exam.

If you pass the exam, you are now a certified pharmacy technician. Congratulations, this is an important milestone on your journey to starting your career.

Step 3: Apply for your state’s Pharmacy Technician license

Once you’ve passed your exam, you can apply for licensure with your state’s office. Your state’s Board of Pharmacy acts as the regulatory body of pharmacy technicians.

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians must renew their licensure every two years in many states. You can accomplish this by either retaking your certification exam, or by submitting continuous education (CE) hours. If your license expires before renewal, you will likely need to retake the exam.

Your state’s Board of Pharmacy will outline the specific requirements. In Florida, for example, you must complete and submit 20 hours – two concerning medical errors – to meet CE requirements. You must then apply and pay a renewal fee.

Licensure renewal ensures that pharmacy technicians stay on top of any changes to the industry through required continued education. Failure to renew your certification means you are no longer PCTB-certified and must immediately stop identifying yourself with this credential.

How Long Does It Take to Become to Become a Pharmacy Technician?

To become a pharm tech, you will need:

• A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• In many states, receive pharmacy technician training and prepare for the certification exam
• In many states, take and pass a nationally recognized certification exam and apply for a pharm tech license.

Your individual timeline will depend on your own many factors, including where you start in your healthcare career journey. Program times are determined by the institution and will vary depending on many reasons, including whether you pursue a diploma, certificate or associate degree.

For instance, you can earn an associate degree Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician at Ultimate Medical academy in 18 months or more

Apply for a Job as a Pharmacy Technician

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market outlook for pharmacy technicians is good. The field has been projected to grow 7% through 2033.

Pharmacy technicians work in a wide range of environments, so spend some time thinking about what you want to get from your future workplace.

If you’d like to work in a fast-paced environment, you might seek out pharmacy technician jobs in hospitals. If you want to make a real connection with patients, there may be a place for you in care homes.

Pharm techs talented in customer service should examine opportunities in retail pharmacies, while those with a passion for mixing drugs could consider a compounding pharmacy.

A good healthcare education program may provide you with resources to begin searching for your first job as a licensed pharmacy technician. For instance, UMA’s Career Services offers support for graduates, including interview coaching, resume help, and more.

Ready to Start Your Journey to Pursuing a Career as a Pharmacy Technician?

If you’re ready to start your journey to becoming a pharmacy tech, choose a pharm tech program which cares for its students through every step of the journey. You can complete a Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician associate degree mostly online when you enroll at Ultimate Medical Academy.