How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
If you’re considering embarking on a rewarding new career path in healthcare, becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) offers an exceptional opportunity. Pharmacy technician education requirements and certification processes are generally more streamlined and accessible than those of many other healthcare careers. This makes the field especially attractive for those seeking a quicker entry into the healthcare industry while contributing meaningfully to patient care.
In this article, we will explore every aspect of pharmacy technician education, the steps to obtaining your pharmacy technician license, and what the certification process entails.
What is a certified pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians help ensure the smooth operation of any pharmacy, whether in a hospital or at a retail store. Your role will involve supporting pharmacists with a wide variety of responsibilities, such as:
- Accurately filling, processing, and distributing prescription medications to customers
- Entering and maintaining patient and medication data
- Managing transactions
- Labeling prescriptions
- Overseeing inventory control.
To fulfill the criteria for getting a pharmacy technician license and become a CPhT, you must pass an approved certification exam. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is one of two certification assessments available and is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). This comprehensive exam measures your proficiency across four key areas: medications, patient safety and quality assurance, order entry and processing, and federal requirements. Paying an exam fee of $125 is required. For a detailed overview of exam content and preparation tips, refer to our PTCE exam info page.
Another option for certification is taking the Examination for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), which is distributed by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This exam's subsections include Overview and Laws, Drugs and Drug Therapy, Dispensing Process, and Medication Safety and Quality Assurance. The ExCPT exam cost is slightly higher than the PTCE at $129. While both exams are nationally recognized, some states prefer the PTCE over the ExCPT. Take a look at our list of pharmacy technician requirements by state for more information.
Enrolling in a pharmacy technician education or certification program is highly recommended to best prepare for certification. These programs prepare you for either exam and also offer in-depth training on pharmacy technician duties. While pharmacy technician requirements vary by state, many states require completion of an accredited certification program and proof of passing the PTCE or ExCPT for all techs. Even in states where certification is not mandatory, obtaining your pharmacy technician license can significantly improve your job prospects. Certified pharmacy technicians are more likely to secure employment, earn higher salaries, and access greater advancement opportunities than those without certification.
How to obtain your pharmacy technician license
When determining how long it takes to become a pharmacy technician, it’s helpful to know that there are three primary paths aspiring techs can take and earn the CPhT credential:
- Gaining 500 hours of hands-on work experience as a pharmacy technician, then preparing and sitting for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
- Gaining 1,200 hours of hands-on work experience as a pharmacy technician, then preparing and sitting for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
- Completing an approved pharmacy technician educational program that fulfills PTCB or NHA certification requirements, followed by independent preparation for the PTCE or ExCPT.
The time required to become a pharmacy technician can vary. Each certification path can take up to two years in total, depending on your chosen route and schedule. Factors such as the pace of your pharmacy technician training and whether you are working while studying can affect the duration of the certification process. Timing and costs differ for each training option as well. Let’s explore each pathway in more detail below.
Work experience
If you’re more of a hands-on learner, completing on-the-job training may be the most effective path to becoming a pharmacy technician. This pharmacy technician training program option is highly cost-efficient because you’ll earn a wage while you meet training requirements, rather than paying tuition.
In terms of how long it takes to become a pharmacy technician through this route, gaining the required 500 - 1,200 hours of supervised work experience can typically be completed in about 3 - 8 months. For those living in states where pharmacy technician certification is mandatory, finding opportunities to gain this work experience might seem difficult. Fortunately, many employers hire pharmacy technician trainees, allowing you to accumulate practical experience that prepares you for the certification exam. Internships and other forms of experiential hours are often accepted as part of most pharmacy technician training programs.
Example programs: Walgreens pharmacy technician training program, CVS apprenticeship program, various programs at university medical centers
Online diploma program
If you’re looking for a structured educational path that won’t break the bank, online pharmacy technician programs are often considered the fastest and most affordable. Online programs typically take about 4 months to 1 year to complete, and upon finishing, you’ll become eligible to sit for the PTCE or ExCPT and earn your CPhT credential. Tuition for an online pharmacy tech program at this level generally ranges from $500 to $2,000, according to Stepful. This option offers a quick route to certification and career readiness in the field.
Example programs: Minnesota State College Southeast, San Francisco State University, Penn Foster
Certification program
Enrolling in a pharmacy technician certification program at a community college is another viable pathway to consider when planning your pharmacy technician education. A program of this type can cost between $2,000 and $10,000 and generally requires about 1 year to complete, making it a focused option.
Compared to pharmacy tech associate degree programs, these certification programs are more streamlined, offering only courses directly related to pharmacy technician training and exam preparation. Upon successful completion, you will be fully eligible to sit for the PTCE or ExCPT and advance your career in the field.
Example programs: Offered at a variety of community colleges across the country
Associate degree
Associate degree programs are the most comprehensive yet costly path to earning your pharmacy technician degree, usually requiring two years to complete and ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 (some can be as expensive as $40,000 a year). Choosing a pharmacy technician degree program ensures you receive an in-depth education, along with a smoother transition to advanced roles or other healthcare careers in the future. These associate degree programs cover all the essential topics found in certificate programs, while also including general education courses and classes on more advanced technical and scientific concepts. Upon completion of an accredited pharmacy technician degree program, you will graduate with an associate degree and be fully prepared to take the PTCE or ExCPT.
Example programs: Purdue Global (online), San Bernardino Valley College, San Jacinto College
Official Requirements
Although there is some flexibility in the process, meeting specific pharmacy technician requirements is essential for eligibility. To earn your PTCB or ExCPT CPhT certification and start your career, you must satisfy the following criteria for how to get a pharmacy technician license:
- Be a resident of the U.S. or its territories
- Successfully complete a PTCB- or ExCPT-Recognized Education/Training Program, or obtain equivalent work experience
- Disclose any criminal history, as well as all State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
- Adhere to all relevant PTCB or NHA certification policies and standards
- Achieve a passing score on the PTCE or ExCPT
After meeting these pharmacy technician requirements and earning your credential, maintaining your certification is also important. Your pharmacy technician license must be renewed every two years by completing 20 hours of continuing education for both the NHA and PTCB certifications. Consistently fulfilling these renewal requirements is crucial for staying compliant and advancing your pharmacy technician career.
Closing thoughts
When investing in your future as a CPhT, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option when preparing to take your pharmacy certification exam. Figure out which price points are accessible to you, how much time you can afford to spend preparing, and what your future goals are. Regardless of your choice, you will have the knowledge to pass the exam and become a CPhT in 2 years or less.
