{"id":49646,"date":"2022-03-10T09:30:20","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T14:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49646"},"modified":"2022-10-06T14:52:35","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T18:52:35","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-pharmacy-technician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-pharmacy-technician\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#how-long-to-become-pharm-tech\">How long does it take to become a pharmacy tech?<\/a> | <a href=\"#pharm-tech-education-requirements\">Pharmacy tech education requirements<\/a> | <a href=\"#required-skills\">Required skills<\/a> | <a href=\"#job-prospects\">Job prospects<\/a> | <a href=\"#resources\">Resources<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy technicians are a crucial part of a pharmacy staff. They\u2019re responsible for providing a wide range of services: helping to fill prescriptions, ringing up customers, answering the phone, calling insurance companies, and even administering vaccinations. If you\u2019re considering becoming a pharmacy technician, there are multiple ways to achieve this career goal\u2014but it takes time, dedication, and on-the-job experience. Here\u2019s everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-does-a-pharmacy-technician-do\/\"><b>What does a pharmacy technician do?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-to-become-pharm-tech\">How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a pretty wide timeline. \u201cPrograms can vary in length and mode of delivery, [and] timing can range from months to one or two years,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmacy.uconn.edu\/person\/kathleen-adams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kathleen Adams, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy practice at the UCONN School of Pharmacy. The length of time depends on your state\u2019s requirements and the type of training you choose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three types of pharmacy technician training programs:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>On-the-job training<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at a pharmacy: Some states have no prerequisites to becoming a technician. You can get a job in a pharmacy and learn there. <\/span><b>Time to complete: 1 to 2 months<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A diploma or certificate program<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP): Some states require certification or licensure after completing training. These pharmacy technician programs often include certification exam preparation and internship or externship opportunities to gain real-world experience. <\/span><b>Time to complete: 1 year or less<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>An associate degree program <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">through a community college or vocational school: These include general education and coursework such as pharmacy law or pharmacology. This type of program can be a good option for someone who is considering becoming a pharmacist in the future, as these credits may count as prerequisites for pharmacy school. <\/span><b>Time to complete: 2 years<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After completing your training, prior to working as a technician, some states require you to complete one or both of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pass a certification exam:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are two pharmacy technician certification programs:\u00a0 the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcare Career Association (NHA). The PTCB requires you to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) while the NHA requires you to pass the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) to receive certification.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Apply for a license: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given by a state board of pharmacy, a license shows you have met the requirements to complete the job. Requirements vary by state, but may include a minimum amount of training, passing a certification exam, or simply registering with the state.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether a certification or license\u2014or both\u2014is required varies widely from state to state. However, \u201cnational certification has become the baseline credential across the industry, and many employers expect their technicians to have certification or obtain certification within a certain amount of time of employment, even in states that may not require certification,\u201d explains Jeremy Sasser, CPhT, a pharmacy content strategist at the National Healthcareer Association. After completing your initial training, most states have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/free-ce\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continuing education requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to maintain your certification or license every two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pharm-tech-education-requirements\">How to become a pharmacy tech without going to school<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The fastest way to become a technician is to work in a pharmacy and receive job training\u2014and then pass a national certification exam or apply for licensure, if required. But skipping formal training programs or schooling may not comply with your state\u2019s regulations, so make sure you check with your local pharmacy board first.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to apply for certification, you don\u2019t need to have been enrolled in an accredited program; the PTCB certification offers two \u201cpathways,\u201d which<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptcb.org\/credentials\/certified-pharmacy-technician\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">includes work experience equivalent to a training program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (a minimum of 500 hours, per the PTCB). Additionally, you\u2019ll need to be a resident of the U.S., have a clear work history, and receive a passing score on the PTCE exam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assuming your state allows for you to take a non-schooling route to becoming a technician, there really are only a few other minor requirements; typically, you have to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED. Some states require a background check prior to employment. A college degree is not normally required to become a pharmacy technician.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"required-skills\">What skills do you need to become a pharmacy tech?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On top of meeting your state\u2019s requirements, you\u2019ll need to consider whether becoming a pharmacy technician aligns with your skill sets and personality. There\u2019s more to it than you might think! A pharmacy technician is responsible for many different workplace tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/healthcare\/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (BLS), pharmacy technicians are responsible for packaging and labeling prescriptions, maintaining inventory, handling customer payments, coordinating insurance coverage, and assisting the pharmacists with daily tasks like answering the phone. And that\u2019s just the bare minimum! Pharmacy technicians can work in several settings: a retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, or even research facilities. Depending on the setting, a pharmacy technician may also distribute medications to patients, give immunizations, contact healthcare providers for refills, check dosages, and mix medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successful techs often possess many of the following attributes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strong communication skills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019ll be communicating daily with your coworkers, insurance companies, doctor\u2019s offices, and, of course, your customers or patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Proficient math skills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You don\u2019t have to be a mathematician, but you will likely need to count and measure prescription medications, as well as keep track of inventory.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Attention to detail:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A medication mix-up can be dangerous. \u201cA commitment to medication safety and patient care is vital,\u201d Dr. Adams says. \u201c[Pharmacy technicians should] understand the importance of ensuring the accuracy of every dose and making sure that medications reach their patients in a timely fashion.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Good organization skills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A disorganized technician can disrupt the flow of the workplace and cause unnecessary errors to be made.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strong computer skills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Today\u2019s pharmacies are reliant on computer systems to receive and process prescriptions, bill insurance companies, and ring up customers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flexibility:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pharmacies can be busy workplaces, with multiple tasks needing to be completed in a short period of time. You might be asked to stop filling prescriptions and serve customers at the counter, for example, and will need to be able to pivot from one duty to the next.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Excellent customer service skills:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While you should be able to get along with your coworkers, pharmacy technicians work with patients daily, and that relationship with customers is one of the most important parts of your job. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, the basic skill set is the same for all pharmacy technicians regardless of the setting they are working in, but some skills become more or less important depending on where they\u2019re working. For example, in a hospital setting, technicians still need to have proficient math and computer skills, so they can distribute and compound medications. However, they may not need the same degree of customer service skills as retail pharmacy technicians since they usually aren\u2019t working with patients directly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"job-prospects\">What are the job prospects for pharmacy techs?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The BLS estimates that the job field will grow about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/healthcare\/pharmacy-technicians.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the next 10 years. That\u2019s a slower-than-average rate. However, there may be no time like the present to get a job as a pharmacy tech.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDue primarily to the pandemic, there are a lot of opportunities currently for pharmacy technicians\u2014so many, in fact, that many larger employers are offering sign-on bonuses to pharmacy technicians to help fill openings,\u201d Sasser says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a lot of turnover in the field as well, since many people work as technicians before moving on to pharmacy school to become pharmacists, leaving their positions open and improving the job outlook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-pharmacist\/\"><b>How long does it take to become a pharmacist?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average annual salary for a pharmacy technician is just over $35,000 per year. However, a certified pharmacy technician salary may be higher. Your years of experience can also determine how much you make.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFor years, technicians have taken on significantly more responsibilities, and there are a lot more opportunities for performing advanced tasks such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmacytechnician.org\/npta\/Technician_Product_Verification.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">technician product verification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, administering immunizations, performing point of care testing, and medication therapy management, just to name a few,\u201d Sasser explains. Many technicians feel the added roles and responsibilities have significantly out-paced wage growth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job openings for pharmacy technicians are posted on many major job listing sites as well as the sites of individual drug stores or grocery stores\u2014such as CVS, Publix, and Walgreens\u2014making it relatively easy to locate available pharmacy technician jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does it cost to become a pharmacy tech?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The amount of money you\u2019ll need to invest in becoming a technician largely depends on the route you take; if you jump into a technician position, receive on-the-job training, and then take a certification exam through PTCB, your only expense will be a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptcb.org\/credentials\/certified-pharmacy-technician\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$129 exam fee<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some employers will cover the cost of the test, so be sure to ask your manager!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide to enroll in pharmacy technician school, however, there may be additional costs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training programs accredited by the ASHP, like many offered through pharmacy schools at colleges and universities, seem to range between $2,000 and $4,000. At the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology, for example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/accreditation.ashp.org\/directory\/#\/program\/technician\/programInfo\/OH-06\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tuition costs are $2,500<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while Duke University Health System\u2019s technician training program <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/accreditation.ashp.org\/directory\/#\/program\/technician\/programInfo\/NC-16\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">costs $3,300<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training programs offered at community college or vocational schools often cost between $1,000 and $2,000.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, there are low, or no-cost options to break into this field.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"resources\">Learn more about becoming a pharmacy tech<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, you can start by checking out the resources available at the following organizations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashp.org\/professional-development\/technician-program-accreditation?loginreturnUrl=SSOCheckOnly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technician Program Accreditation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> portal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmacytechnician.org\/npta\/default.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Pharmacy Technician Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NPTA)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/healthcare\/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Occupational Outlook Handbook for Pharmacy Technicians<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ptcb.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy Technician Certification Board<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (PTCB)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmacytimes.com\/view\/pharmacy-technician-license-requirements-by-state\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pharmacy Technician License Requirements by State<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at Pharmacy Times<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, here\u2019s the most important takeaway: The road to becoming a pharmacy technician is fairly customizable to your goals. It can take just a few short months of on-the-job training, or involve one to two years of formal education programs. Whatever you choose, it still takes significantly less time and money to become a tech than a pharmacist, making it one of the quickest and easiest ways to start a career in the pharmacy field.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How long does it take to become a pharmacy tech? | Pharmacy tech education requirements | Required skills | Job prospects | Resources Pharmacy technicians are a crucial part of a pharmacy staff. They\u2019re responsible for providing a wide range of services: helping to fill prescriptions, ringing up customers, answering the phone, calling insurance companies, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":54446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9340],"tags":[743],"coauthors":[8860],"class_list":["post-49646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-checkout","tag-pharmacies","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It can take 1-2 months to 1-2 years to become a pharmacy technician depending on your state&#039;s requirements and 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