How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians often play a vital role in the healthcare industry, liaising between customers and pharmacists with various responsibilities, including accurately preparing and distributing medications for patients.
What’s unique about becoming a pharmacy technician is the amount of schooling likely required — usually less than two years.
If a career as a pharmacy technician sparks your interest, continue reading to find out what it might take to become one.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
In addition to accurately preparing and distributing customers' medications, pharmacy technicians might be responsible for calculating, retrieving, weighing, pouring, and mixing medications, as well as preparing sterile medicines, such as those used in cancer treatments.
In some cases, pharmacy technicians also interact with patients directly and maintain correct records of patients and accurate orders and medication inventories.
This is a role that can vary depending on the setting where you work. If you’re a pharmacy technician working in a hospital or healthcare facility, you might be responsible for filing and delivering patient prescriptions. If you’re a pharmacy technician working in a customer-facing pharmacy, you might also answer customer phone calls and refer customers to the pharmacist on duty when necessary.
Keep in mind that the specific responsibilities of pharmacy technicians will vary by state since state laws outline specific duties performed in this role.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
According to the National Pharmacy Technician Association, most employers prefer to hire pharmacy technicians who’ve completed an associate degree or a certification program from a technical or community college.
Keep reading as we highlight some of the options to pursue this career path.
Pharmacy technician training program
It’s usually recommended to choose a pharmacy technician program if that’s the route you want to take that’s accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Pharmacy technician training program classes will likely cover pharmacy mathematics, operations, general medical conditions, and pharmaceutical dispensing. Other topics may include medical terminology, label and prescription information, physiology and anatomy, and poison and drug emergencies.
These programs usually take a year to complete. At the end of your certification, you’ll likely get to have a real-life experience at an externship.
Associate degree
If you choose to pursue an associate degree, this route usually takes about two years. Having an associate degree will allow you to transfer to a four-year degree and obtain a bachelor's degree if you eventually want to, which might be a reason to choose this option.
Other avenues
If you don’t want to take a certification course or pursue an associate degree, you can still take the pharmacy technician exam if you have a high school diploma, GED, or a foreign equivalent. You must also not have felony or drug-related convictions on your record and not be under any restrictions from any State Board of Pharmacy.
Exams to become a pharmacy technician
Regardless of the schooling route you take, you’ll need to pass the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (if your state requires it). Other certification exams you can choose to take include the National Healthcare Association (NHA) and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). You only need to take one of these certification exams, and your employer may prefer you to take one in particular.
Exams can have varying prerequisites, including certain education requirements or work experience requirements. Once you have your certification, you’re referred to as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). To officially become a CPhT, you must also register with your state, typically within a short time of obtaining your first official role as a pharmacy tech.
Continuing education
To maintain your technician certification, continuing education classes are likely essential. You’ll likely need to complete at least 20 hours of continuing education every two years, and most employers will cover this cost.
Final thoughts
If you have aspirations to become a pharmacy technician, know that it’s a job that doesn’t require a four-year degree, and you can likely have a job in the field within two years.
Depending on which route you choose to take, make sure you understand what the requirements are and that you follow all the steps to be able to be a working pharmacy technician.