Are you interested in math, anatomy, physiology and health care? Would you like to find a career that combines these interests? Then pharmacy technology may interest you.
Pharmacy Technology programs can prepare you to be a pharmacy technician, who works under the supervision of a pharmacist to help distribute prescription medications to customers and health professionals. Pharmacy technicians are detail-oriented individuals with excellent people and organizational skills. They work in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and more.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about pharmacy technology and how to become a pharmacy technician in California, including:
- Job growth
- Required skills
- Licensure requirements
- Certification information
- Education programs and coursework
Why Become a Pharmacy Technician in California?
The BLS reports that California has the second-highest employment level of pharmacy technicians in May 2020.1
What Is Driving the Growth of Pharmacy Technician Careers?
What’s causing the projected employment of pharmacy technicians? The BLS notes the following:2
- Aging population: These individuals need more prescription medicines than younger people.
- Growth of chronic diseases: As the rate of chronic diseases increases, more prescription medications will be needed. Examples of chronic diseases include diabetes, arthritis, cancer and asthma.
- Pharmaceutical research advances: Progress in pharmaceutical research will lead to more opportunities for medications to combat diseases.
- Expanding role of pharmacists: Pharmacists roles are expanding, requiring them to perform more patient care activities, like administering flu shots. Pharmacy technicians will be needed to take on activities that were generally performed by pharmacists. Such activities include gathering patient information, preparing a broader range of medications and confirming other technicians’ work.
Where do Pharmacy Technicians Work?
Pharmacy technicians primarily work in pharmacies and hospitals. The pharmacy setting could be in a drug, general merchandise or grocery store. Per the BLS, the biggest employers of pharmacy technicians include:3
- Pharmacies and drugstores – 50%
- Hospitals – 17%
- Food and beverage stores – 10%
While pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are common employers of pharmacy technicians, these aren’t the only settings that you can work in as a pharmacy technician. Other options include working at a pharmaceutical company, health clinic, nursing home or assisted living facility, compounding pharmacy, or mail-order pharmacy.
Wondering what the difference is between a compounding pharmacy and a pharmacy within a retail drug store? To learn about these and additional pharm tech work environments, check out our article, “Where can you work as a pharmacy technician?”
Do You Need to Be Certified as a Pharmacy Technician?
You don’t need to be certified as a pharmacy technician, but certification can make it easier to find a job. Some employers will even pay for you to become certified. The California State Board of Pharmacy also accepts a PTCB certification as adequate proof of pharmacy education.
PTCB certification
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board offers a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. To earn your PTCB CPhT certification, you must meet a few different requirements—one of which is to complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program or equivalent work experience.
Once you’ve met the requirements, you can take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to earn your PTCB CPhT certification. Many pharmacy technology programs incorporate material to prepare you for the PTCE.
ExCPT exam and CPhT certification
Taking the ExCPT exam and earning a CPhT certification through the National Healthcareer Association is another path to certification.6 This is another test that can prove what you’ve learned in a pharmacy technology program.
Pharmacy Technician License vs Certification
A licensed pharmacy technician meets requirements set by the state’s pharmacy board, while a certified pharmacy technician meets requirements set by an outside agency and passes an exam. States have varying license and certification requirements. For example, some require licensure and national certification, while others don’t. California pharmacy technicians are required to be licensed, but do not need certification.
What to Look for in a Pharmacy Technology Program
Choosing the right Pharmacy Technology program for you requires a lot of research. What factors should you consider? We created the below list of factors to help guide your search for Pharmacy Technology programs. Consider that the best programs usually offer a combination of classroom knowledge and hands-on experience.
- Reputation: It’s important to make sure the program has a good reputation. Also check that the program directly prepares you for state licensure and certifications.
- Coursework: Examine the courses offered by the program and make sure it aligns with the pharmacy technician skills you want to learn.
- Hands-on experience: Consider looking into schools that offer hands-on training. This will help prepare you for pharmacy technician jobs.
- Location: Location is an important factor to consider. How far are you willing to commute to your school? Explore Pharmacy Technology/Technician programs in your area.
- Duration: How quickly do you want to become a pharmacy technician? Pursuing an associate degree or certificate will impact the amount of time it takes. Generally, associate degrees take longer to complete.
- Cost and financial aid: Education is an important investment. As you research pharmacy technician programs, ask about financial aid, flexible payment plans and available scholarships.
Should I Get an Associate Degree or Certificate in Pharmacy Technology?
Pursuing an associate degree or certificate when studying pharmacy technology depends on your career goals. Both can help you become a pharmacy technician, but at different costs and within different timeframes.
Certificate programs tend to be more cost-effective and enable you to become a pharmacy technician sooner, for example. Most associate degree programs take two years to complete, while certificates can usually be earned within a year. However, associate degrees can provide a more comprehensive education and higher earning potential, leading to more career opportunities over time. These are some of the factors to weigh as you consider an associate degree or certificate.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Program length varies by school and program of study. It can take anywhere from nine months to two years to complete the training to become a pharmacy technician, depending on your career path. Certificate programs can generally be completed in a year or less, while associate degree programs take closer to two years to complete. Pursuing on-the-job training or internships could also impact the amount of training it takes to become a pharmacy technician.
What Classes Would You Take in a Pharm Tech Program?
Pharmacy tech classes equip you with the knowledge necessary to help pharmacists dispense medications and keep pharmacy practices running smoothly. Pharmacy tech classes may cover topics like:
- Pharmacy law and ethics
- Pharmacy and medical terminology
- Computer data entry
- Pharmacology
- Prescription processing
- Math and arithmetic
- Recordkeeping
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacy clinical applications
Launch a Career in Pharmacy Technology With SJVC
Are you intrigued by the role of a pharmacy technician? SJVC’s Pharmacy Technology and Pharmacy Technician programs can help you gain the skills you’ll need to become a pharmacy technician. Earning a certificate of completion can be done in as few as nine months. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure with the California State Board of Pharmacy providing they meet the requirements as specified by the Board, including a Department of Justice criminal background check and data bank query to determine if an act has been committed that constitutes grounds for denial of licensure. This license is required in the State of California for employment as a Pharmacy Technician. Students qualify to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) upon successful completion of practice exams administered during their course of study and with the approval of the Pharmacy Liaison. Students also earn their HIPAA Certification.
SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.
Explore our Pharmacy Technology/Technician program and request more information today.
SJVC’s Pharmacy Technology/Technician Students and Staff
SJVC is committed to the growth of its students, both personally and professionally. Our experienced faculty are passionate about sharing their knowledge and supporting your career goals. Whether you’re continuing your education to work toward your first job or preparing for a career switch, we want to help. In fact, our students come from diverse backgrounds and have a broad age range—from recent high school graduates to experienced professionals ready to make a change. We want to know your story and help you succeed.
Find a Pharmacy Technology Program Near Me
SJVC’s Pharmacy Technology certificate program is available at the following campuses:
