Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician but unsure of what it takes to get started? While you don’t necessarily need a degree, formal training is essential to prepare for the responsibilities of this role. As part of your training, you'll need to learn key skills in areas like pharmacy law, inventory management, and customer service—all critical to the day-to-day tasks of a pharmacy tech.
So, what kind of education and skills do you need to pursue this career? Below, we’ll explore pharmacy technician requirements, certifications, and education options.
In This Article:
Pharmacy Technician Role Overview
Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists to prepare prescriptions, manage inventory, and provide excellent customer service. The technical skills a pharmacy technician needs—such as pharmaceutical calculations and medication terminology—make finding the right education crucial. Check out our Pharmacy Technician Career Guide to learn more about the role.
Pharmacy Technician Education—Do You Need a Degree to Be a Pharmacy Technician?
While you don’t necessarily need a degree to become a pharmacy technician, a formal education is generally encouraged. Depending on the state, those with a high school diploma or GED may be able to receive on-the-job training to become pharmacy technicians. However, most states require pharmacy technicians to meet specific certification and licensure requirements, many of which involve training at an accredited institution and passing a national certification exam.
Pharmacy technician education requirements can vary by state, so knowing the regulations where you plan to work is essential. In Texas, for example, pharmacy techs must complete an approved program and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). After completing their certification, pharmacy technicians in Texas must also register through the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP).
Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
The PTCE and the ExCPT exams test a range of essential knowledge for pharmacy technicians but have slightly different eligibility criteria and exam formats. Below is a breakdown of the requirements for each:
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
The PTCE is one of the most widely recognized certification exams for pharmacy technicians across the United States. Here are the key requirements:
- Eligibility:
- You must have a high school diploma or GED.
- You must complete a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician training program or have equivalent work experience (at least 500 hours of pharmacy technician work).
- You must have a clean criminal record with no drug- or pharmacy-related convictions.
- You must comply with all PTCB certification policies, which include adhering to a code of conduct and providing truthful information on your application.
- Exam Content:
- The PTCE consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and covers topics like medication safety, pharmacy law, drug interactions, and quality assurance.
- The exam takes two hours to complete, with one hour and 50 minutes for the exam itself and 10 minutes for a tutorial and post-exam survey.
- Recertification:
- Certified pharmacy technicians must renew their certification every two years by completing 20 hours of continuing education, including at least one hour in pharmacy law.
Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
The ExCPT is another national certification exam recognized by many states, including Texas. Here’s what you need to know:
- Eligibility:
- You must have a high school diploma or GED.
- You need to either complete a pharmacy technician training program accredited by the NHA or have 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy work experience within the past year.
- Similar to the PTCE, you must have a clean criminal record with no drug- or pharmacy-related convictions.
- Exam Content:
- The ExCPT consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and covers topics similar to those of the PTCE, including dispensing medications, maintaining medication inventory, and understanding pharmacy laws.
- The exam lasts two hours and 10 minutes, including a tutorial and post-exam survey.
- Recertification:
- ExCPT certification must be renewed every two years, with a requirement of completing 20 hours of continuing education, including one hour dedicated to pharmacy law.
While some employers may prefer one certification over the other, both the PTCE and ExCPT are highly regarded and meet the requirements of most states for pharmacy technician certification. Before you choose, check your state's specific requirements to determine which exam is most appropriate for your career goals.
Pharmacy Technician License vs. Certification Requirements
Do you need a license to be a pharmacy technician? Most states require pharmacy technicians to be licensed and registered with the state board before practicing. While certification is often nationally recognized, licensure requirements vary. You can contact your state board for the most accurate information regarding licensing and certification requirements.
Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program vs. Degree
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? The answer depends on both your education path and the requirements of the state in which you plan to work. For some, choosing a pharmacy technician education program is an appealing route that helps prepare them for certification exams and may enhance their prospective salaries as a pharmacy tech.
Pharmacy Technician Certificate Programs
Many pharmacy technicians may choose to pursue a certificate program instead of a degree to have the opportunity to fast-track their education. Certificate programs for pharmacy technicians are usually shorter than degree programs, highly focused, and can often be completed in less than a year.
In general, pharmacy technician certificate programs are designed to help students build the job-specific skills needed to pursue certification and entry-level roles. This means programs tend to focus on core foundations, such as pharmaceutical calculations, inventory management, and medical terminology, that are directly applicable to the day-to-day responsibilities of a pharmacy technician. Certificate programs can appeal to those interested in pursuing certifications or searching for faster entry into the pursuit of pharmacy technician roles.
Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs
Alternatively, a degree program in pharmacy technology might be a better fit for those seeking a broader educational experience. In addition to technical skills, degree programs usually incorporate general education courses in subjects like math, science, and communication. These courses can enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, potentially opening more advanced career opportunities. However, degree programs often take longer to complete—typically two years for an associate degree—which may be a consideration if you're balancing work or family commitments.
Ultimately, both certificate and degree programs can provide an opportunity to learn the foundational knowledge and skills required for a career as a pharmacy technician. If your priority is to gain focused, practical training and start pursuing certification as soon as possible, a certificate program may be the best option.
Skills You Should Learn in Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
No matter which educational path you choose, certain core skills are critical for success as a pharmacy technician. These competencies are required both for certification exams and your daily job responsibilities. Here are some of the most important pharmacy technician skills you'll need to develop:
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Terminology. Understanding the terminology used in healthcare and pharmaceuticals is essential for accurate communication and patient care. This includes knowing both brand and generic medication names, as well as insurance billing codes that can impact prescription costs.
- Pharmaceutical Calculations. Precise calculations are a life-or-death skill in pharmacy work. For example, you may need to calculate a patient's medication dosage based on their weight in kilograms or determine a 90-day supply of medication.
- Maintaining Pharmacy Equipment. Pharmacy technicians use computerized systems to dispense medications and may also operate automated packaging machines in high-volume pharmacies.
- Stocking Automated Dispensing Cabinets. In larger pharmacies, automated dispensing cabinets help manage prescription volume. Pharmacy technicians need to know how to stock and operate these systems efficiently.
- Inventory Management. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for ensuring that medications are stored properly, returned if expired, and reordered when stock is low. Managing inventory effectively is key to maintaining a well-functioning pharmacy.
If you're ready to develop these skills, a pharmacy technician program can help prepare you to pursue certification and potential career opportunities.
Get Started with CHCP - Explore Pharmacy Technician Programs Today
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program at The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) is designed to take as few as 36 weeks of on-campus classes to complete and is available at our McAllen, Fort Worth, Dallas, and South San Antonio campuses. Find out more about CHCP and our healthcare certificate programs by visiting our website today or apply now to get started!
