Completing a pharmacy technician certificate online
Table of Contents
What you’ll study | Admission requirements | Paying for school | Tips for success |
How to choose a program | Resources
Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies and assist registered pharmacists with tasks such as receiving shipments, stocking medications, using pharmacy technology to fill orders and providing patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Statistics (BLS), pharmacy technicians made a median annual salary of $43,460 in 2024. As is true for many healthcare jobs, pharmacy technician roles are predicted to see above-average growth over the next decade. The BLS predicted a 6.4% rise in job growth through 2034.
To work in most pharmacy technician roles, you’ll need a formal education. Earning a pharmacy technician certificate online can be a great way to jump into this role. Online programs are available both full and part-time and take between three months and one year to complete and some programs also include an externship or fieldwork component that will give you real-world experience.
“We see all sorts of people coming into programs,” said John Arnold, PhD, RPh, Director of Non-Degree Programs at Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. “People who are changing careers, people who have never been in a pharmacy outside of picking up a prescription and seasoned technicians looking to get a formal certificate.”
What you’ll study in an online certificate program
An online pharmacy technician education may give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed in the field. Coursework will include topics such as medical terminology, pharmacology and patient care. The exact classes you’ll take will depend on your program. However, most online certification programs cover:
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy calculations
- Prescription reading and interpretation
- Medical terminology
- Patient care
- Pharmacy systems and technology
- Healthcare compliance and ethics
- Pharmacy law
- Dosage calculations and conversations
- Inventory control
- Billing and reimbursement
“You learn the skills for the everyday tasks you’ll do as a pharmacy technician,” Dr Arnold said. “And you’ll also gain the crucial knowledge behind those tasks.”
Pharmacy technician certificate programs also include an externship or fieldwork placement. You’ll be matched to a local pharmacy to fulfill this requirement. Your online school will work with you to ensure that your placement fits your schedule.
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Do I need to complete a formal education program to work as a pharmacy technician?
In the past, many pharmacy technicians received on-the-job training, but it’s becoming more common for employers to look for a formal educational background from applicants. For instance, you can apply for both NHA and PTCB professional certifications with experience instead of a formal education. You’ll need at least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy work to apply for NHA certification. It takes at least 500 hours of supervised work to apply for PTCB certification. However, recent data shows that about 90% of employers encourage or require education or certification for pharmacy technicians.
Admission requirements for an online program
Online pharmacy technician certificate programs are offered by community colleges, technical schools and other educational institutions throughout the country. The exact admission requirements can vary depending on the school and program you choose, but it’s typical to be asked for:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A completed criminal background check with no previous drug-related offenses
- Proof of ability to work legally in the United States
- An admissions interview
“Some of the students are 18 and right out of high school,” Dr. Arnold said. “Then we have people coming in later in life. [Programs] are ready to take in all these students. It’s really geared for that—to meet people wherever they are in life.”
Certificate vs. certification
While certificate and certification may sound like the same thing, it’s important to understand that these two attainments are different. A certificate is awarded by an academic institution for completing college coursework on a specific topic, usually for a specific career, such as a pharmacy technician. They typically take about six months to a year to complete and although they involve taking college classes, they are not formal degrees.
Certifications, on the other hand, are credentials awarded by professional organizations to signify that an individual has certain knowledge or skills. Most certifications require that you study for, and take and pass an exam, but only if you are eligible. In many cases, you need a combination of relevant education, such as the successful completion of a certificate or degree program, and experience in the field to be eligible to earn certification.
More about pharmacy technician certification
The exact requirements for pharmacy technician credentials depend on your state. However, pharmacy technicians in most states will need to earn certification once they complete their education. Even if your state doesn’t require certification, it’s typically a good career move. Certification can show your professionalism, expertise and knowledge.
There are two nationally recognized certifications for pharmacy technicians:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CphT)
- The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Completion of a formal pharmacy technical certification program will allow you to apply for either certification. PTCB has a list of schools and programs on their website that meet their requirements. The right certification for you depends on factors such as your location and career goals. It can help to browse job listings in your area. You might notice that a specific certification is required by more local employers or that an employer you’d like to work for requires a particular certification. You can also choose to earn both certifications.
Paying for your online certificate program
There are a range of costs for online pharmacy technician certificate programs. Factors such as the length of your program and the school you choose can affect your total tuition. Many programs offer aid such as grants, scholarships and loans.
A great first step is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your results will show you the federal programs you qualify for, such as grants and loans. From there, you can look into scholarships and financial aid that is specific to your school, program or local area.
Scholarships for pharmacy tech students
There are several scholarships specifically geared toward pharmacy technician students. Applying for the scholarships that you qualify for may be a great way to help cover all or some of the costs of your education. Pharmacy technician students can look into:
How to succeed in an online pharm tech certificate program
Many online pharmacy technician certification programs offer tools to help you succeed. These can include online study groups, tutoring and convenient ways to contact your instructors with questions. Taking advantage of these tools can help you ensure you understand the material and prepare for upcoming exams.
It can also help to dedicate time and space to your studies. What this looks like can depend on you, your life and your home. However, many people find it helpful to take steps such as:
- Creating a quiet and distraction-free study area
- Planning your study time for each week of your course
- Using practice exams to prepare for course tests and certification tests
- Breaking large tasks into small pieces that are easier to manage
- Making flashcards and other study aid
How to choose the right program for you
The best online pharmacy technician certificate program for you is one that matches your career goals, budget and current lifestyle. It’s best to factor in commitments such as work and childcare when considering how an online program will fit into your schedule. Your future career plans can also be a deciding factor.
Asking questions can help you make your decision. For instance:
- What employers have hired graduates of this program?
- What experience does the faculty of this program have?
- What fieldwork placements are available?
- Is there career counseling available?
“It’s important to have opportunities to interact with instructors and peers electronically,” Dr Arnold explained. “If possible, face-to-face interactions, at least once or twice during the course, can be a great way to connect and build relationships.”
It’s also a good idea to think about your future certification goals. You’ll need to choose a program listed in the PTCB database if you’re planning to earn PTCB certification later on. Some schools might also offer exam preparation courses for PTCB certification, NHA certification, or both as part of your coursework.
Understanding accreditation
Accreditation is a key factor in any educational decision. Accreditation verifies that a program has met educational standards and will prepare you for your future career. Additionally, only students who are enrolled in accredited programs are eligible for federal financial aid through FAFSA. Pharmacy technician schools are accredited through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Resources for pharmacy technician students
It’s always a good idea to stay on top of the latest developments in your career field. Professional organizations can be a great way to do this, while also connecting you to local events, career resources, possible continuing education venues and networking opportunities. Pharmacy technician students can consider joining:
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Parting words
Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in retail and hospital pharmacies. Professionals in this role take on tasks such as interpreting and filling prescriptions, performing patient care and managing inventory. Over the next decade, it’s predicted that there will be nearly 45,000 job openings for pharmacy technicians.
Earning a pharmacy technician certificate online can be a great way to jump into this growing and important healthcare career. Earning formal education can prepare you for your career and allow you to take national certification exams. Choosing the right program for you may be the first step toward a role as a pharmacy technician. When you’re ready to start researching online programs, click our Find Schools button.
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All Online Schools is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
All Online Schools is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.