50 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in the Nation - (2024)

Pharmacy Technician

A decent salary and a promising career outlook are reason enough to consider a career in Pharmacy Technology. Pharmacy technicians earn an average salary of $36,450 and nationwide 37,500 jobs are being created annually. One of the most important steps towards becoming a pharmacy tech is completing training from an ASHP accredited school as it equips you with the knowledge and skills to be successful in this field. When you decide to undergo training, it is vital to choose the right school as going to school means an investment of time and money, so you need to closely look into what the college has to offer to get the best return on your investment. We have closely evaluated 496 schools across the country, to come up with our list of 50 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools for the academic year 2024. Programs that have made it to our list are accredited by ASHP and are reputed for the success of their graduates.


Table Of Contents




Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting the Right Pharmacy Technician School

Whether the location of the college suits you fine?

What is the type of pharmacy technician program (certificate, diploma or associate degree) offered by the school?

Is the pharmacy technician program being offered by the college accredited by ASHP?

Does the program meet the state board of pharmacy requirements?

Will the program prepare me to pass the PTCB or ExCPT Certification exam?

What is the academic background of the faculty?

What pre-requisites do I need to take in high school?

What are the tuition costs and other miscellaneous expenses?

What is the financial aid/scholarships offered and whether you will be able to avail it?

Does the program include on-the-job training (clinical training/externship)?

What is the percentage of students that graduate within the stipulated time?

Does the college have a placement service and how successful it is in ensuring job placements for its graduates?

The above questions along with our ranking list will help you compare pharmacy technician training programs and come to a conclusive decision.


The Ranking Methodology - View Detailed Methodology

• Average Tuition Cost (20%)
• Graduation Rate (20%)
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio (15%)
• Loan Default Rate (15%)
• Percentage of Enrolled Students Taking Federal Loans (15%)
• Pharmacytechnicianguide.com Rating (15%)



Quick Look at 2024's Best Pharmacy Technician Programs

(All Schools that made it to our List are ASHP - American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Accredited)
Rank School Name Location School Type Total Enrollment Degree Type State Average Pharmacy Tech Salary Program Info
1 Foothill College Altos Hills, CA Public 15,697 Certificate & Associate Degree $42,610 View
2 Renton Technical College Renton, WA Public 3,763 Certificate & Associate Degree $42,470 View
3 Spokane Community College East Spokane, WA Public 10,014 Certificate & Associate Degree $42,470 View
4 Southeast Technical Institute Sioux Fall, SD Public 2,244 Diploma $32,720 View
5 Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GA Public 4,098 Certificate, Diploma & Associate Degree $30,240 View
6 Mountainland Technical College Lehi, Orem & Spanish Fork, UT Public 2,555 Certificate $37,190 View
7 Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OK Public 4,116 Certificate $30,790 View
8 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA Public 3,936 Diploma $30,240 View
9 Johnston Community College Smithfield, NC Public 4,152 Diploma & Associate Degree $30,890 View
10 Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WI Public 2,734 Diploma $32,750 View
11 Oconee Fall Line Technical College Dublin, GA Public 1,452 Diploma & Associate Degree $30,240 View
12 Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC Public 11,660Associate Degree $30,890 View
13 Southeast Community College Lincoln, Beatrice & Milford, NE Public 9,412 Diploma $33,270 View
14 Concorde Career College Memphis, TN | Tampa, Miramar & Orlando, FL Private 1,420 Diploma & Associate Degree $32,090 View
15 Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs, CO Public 13,275 Certificate & Associate Degree $36,880 View
16 Albany Technical College Albany, GA Public 3,167 Diploma & Associate Degree $30,240 View
17 Davidson County Community College Davidson, NC Public 3,627 Certificate, Diploma & Associate Degree $30,890 View
18 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX Public 28,750 Certificate & Associate Degree $34,290 View
19 Central Georgia Technical College Macon & Milledgeville, GA Public 8,045 Certificate & Diploma $30,240 View
20 College of the Mainland Texas City, TX Public 4,328 Certificate & Associate Degree $34,290 View
21 South Texas College Rio Grande Valley, TX Public 31,321 Certificate & Associate Degree $34,290 View
22 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA Public 17,218 Certificate & Associate Degree $42,610 View
23 Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin, GA Public 4,756Associate Degree $30,240 View
24 Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR Public 10,279 Certificate & Associate Degree $40,920 View
25 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA Public 28,083 Certificate & Associate Degree $42,610 View



In-Dept Review of 2024's Best Pharmacy Technician Programs

#1. Foothill College - Altos Hills, California

Regarded as one of the successful community colleges in the U.S., Foothill was founded in the year 1957 and officially opened its doors in 1961.The main campus of the college is located in Los Altos Hills and for students of Santa Clara County there is a campus located in Sunnyvale. Foothill offers learning resources such as a well-equipped library, Teaching and Learning Center, STEM Center, IDEA Lab and a computer lab to give its students a well-rounded educational experience. Foothill is also known for award-winning architecture.

Foothill offers a 9-month Certificate and a two-year Associate degree option to its pharmacy tech students. The Associate program offers students an ability to either transfer credits to a four-year university or join the job market after they earn their degree. The program starts in Fall and on completion graduates will be qualified to apply for registration to the California State Board of Pharmacy as it is a legal requirement in the state. Both the programs well prepare its students to take up pharmacy technician jobs, equipped with the required knowledge and technical and pharmaceutical skills. The program director, Angela Su has been with Foothill since 2010. Her long association with the college gives her reasonably good amount of experience. She has earned a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from Purdue University.

Key Highlights

• The Family Engagement Institute at Foothill was awarded the Dr. John W.Rice Diversity and Equity Award in 2016 for its initiative of providing educational opportunities to the undeserved, low income families. Graduating from a college which actively takes up this social responsibility can be a sense of pride for its students.

• Foothill offers different means to its students to stay active and fit. With an Olympic size pool, fitness boot camps, yoga classes and more, students and their families can use these facilities by purchasing a nominal membership.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Certificate (Nine Months) & A.S. (Two-Year)
Tuition & Fees: In-State: $1,835, Out-of-State: $8,543 (Certificate)
Books & Supplies: $2,418 (Certificate)

School Details

Established: 1957
Type: Public
Students: 15,697
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 24 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 60%


#2. Renton Technical College - Renton, Washington

Located in the Highlands of Renton in Washington, Renton Technical College (RTC) is a public two-year institution. With a non-discriminative policy, the college strives in providing employment ready training, teaching relevant skills, integrating math, science, communication and human relation skills into practical instructions. RTC has an added advantage of having a program advisory committee, comprising of management and volunteers from the workforce to evaluate education materials and guide instructors towards the success of the various programs.

At RTC students can opt for either a certificate or an associate degree program to pursue their Pharmacy Technician education. While the certificate program spans across 4 quarters, the associate takes 6 quarters to complete. Both the courses prepare students to take up pharmacy tech jobs, where they will be able to take up day-to-day pharmacy operations, in community, hospital and retail pharmacy settings. Supervised clinicals form a part of both the programs, enabling students to gain hand on experience. Emphasis is especially laid on detailed knowledge of products and drugs. The PTCB certification exam and licensure is what students are encouraged to take up as soon as they graduate and before they start working.

Key Highlights

• For the pharmacy tech program, TAA-eligible workers, veterans and their eligible spouses can avail support through a grant.

• In 2017, RTC Foundation awarded 201 scholarships, totalling nearly $120,000 and provided emergency support grants of more than $22,000 to 124 students.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Certificate (12 Months) & A.A.S. (24 Months)
Tuition & Fees: $8,437 (Certificate)
Books & Supplies: $706 (Certificate)

School Details

Established: 1942
Type: Public
Students: 3,763
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 74%


#3. Spokane Community College - East Spokane, Washington

Spokane Community College (SCC) is a comprehensive educational institution located in Spokane, Washington. Its Health Sciences division is one of the largest among community and technical colleges in Washington State.

SCC offers an Associate Degree and a Certificate program for aspiring pharmacy techs. Both the programs are ASHP accredited and prepare students for the PTCB certification exam. A clinical externship of 352 hours in community and hospital or home health gives its students the much-required on-the-job experience. Students will gain knowledge and skills in drug products, calculation, aseptic techniques and Washington pharmacy laws and regulation. SCC lays emphasis on skills development, acceptable work attitudes and proper work habits. The program director, Tschritter Sandi, has been with SCC since 1995. A BA and a CPht, she is involved with the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians and is also a member Spokane Pharmacy Association.

Key Highlights

• With an employment rate of 80 percent, SCC graduates are job-ready to take on the opportunities offered to them.

• SCC offers an early childhood education service called Head Start and Early Head Start, wherein it provides a secure environment to nurture child growth in the presence of a licensed child care provider, enabling students who are parenting a child to concentrate on their program while the child is well taken care of.

Program Details

Locations: Colville, Inchelium, Ione, Newport & Republic
Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Certificate (9 months), A.A.S. (2 Years)
Tuition & Fees: In-State: $3,397, Out-of-State: $3,789 (Certificate)
Books & Supplies: $500 (Certificate)

School Details

Established: 1963
Type: Public
Students: 10,014
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 73%


#4. Southeast Technical Institute - Sioux Fall, South Dakota

Southeast Technical Institute (STI) is a public school located in Sioux Fall, South Dakota. It's been around for 45 years and is one of affordable schools for career relevant education in Sioux Falls. Armed with an industry savvy faculty, the college ensures its students stay ahead in the job market with all the necessary knowledge and skills. Expectedly, Southeast Technical Institute turns out to be the third largest higher education graduating class in the state.

Southeast Technical Institute offers a 1-year diploma, which is a Bring Your Own Laptop program, requiring students to bring their own laptops. STI boasts of its students being hired even before they graduate from the program. The 48 credits program includes course topics such as computer essentials, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, math for pharmacy, pharmacology, communication skills, pharmacy law and ethics and a hands-on practicum. On completion of the program students are encouraged to take the PTCB certification exam. The program is instructed by Debborah Cummings, who has a graduated with a BA from Briar Cliff University and also has the PTCB certification to her credit. She has been working with pharmacy tech students since 2006.

Key Highlights

• At Southeast Technical Institute 56% of students complete the program within a period of 12 months.

• 89% of the graduates of this program got employed as pharmacy technicians after they successfully graduated from the program.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Diploma (1-Year)
Tuition & Fees: $11,280
Books & Supplies: $1,502

School Details

Type: Public
Students: 2,244
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 86%


#5. Atlanta Technical College - Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech), which celebrates its 50th year, provides education to the counties of Fulton and Clayton. Its main campus is located at 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW, in Atlanta. With a sprawling campus of 48 acres, students can enjoy facilities such as world-class academic labs which give a hands-on learning, and other support services such as a functional childcare center.

For aspiring pharmacy technicians, Atlanta Tech offers a choice of three pharmacy tech programs, namely; an associate degree, a diploma and a certificate program. While the associate is a 5-semester program, the diploma a 4-semester and the certificate a 3-semester program. The certificate is a short course and is ideal for those who wish to do a crash course to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a pharmacy tech. All the three courses meet all the requirements of the ASHP accreditation. The program director, Robbie Howard brings her experience of 10 years with Atlanta Tech to the advantage of her students. Additionally, she has been a district pharmacy technology trainer with CVS for 8 years.

Key Highlights

• With experienced instructors giving personalized attention, Atlanta Tech boasts of a placement rate of 94%, with its graduates being employed in local and regional hospitals.

• Atlanta Tech follows a Non-discrimination Policy, by giving an equal right of education to all its students, irrespective of their race, color, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Certificate (48 weeks), Diploma (64 weeks) & A.A.S. (2 Years)
Tuition & Fees: $5,512 (Certificate), $7,229 (Diploma), & $8,530 (A.A.S.)
Books & Supplies: $1,875 (Certificate) & $2,500 (Diploma)

School Details

Established: 1967
Type: Public
Students: 4,098
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 94%


#6. Mountainland Technical College - Lehi, Orem & Spanish Fork, Utah

Mountainland Technical College (MTECH), established in 1989 offers affordable and career centric technical education to enhance employability of students. The college currently is offering training programs in 40 different fields with emphasis on hands-on-learning, thus ensuring students gain real world experience before entering the employment market. MTECH with campuses in 3 locations in Utah: Lehi, Orem & Spanish Fork boasts of a 98% licensure rate, 92% completion rate and 87% job placement rate.

MTECH at it campuses in Lehi & Spanish Fork offers a 10-month certificate course in Pharmacy Technology that trains you to become skilled and knowledgeable to work under the supervision of a pharmacist in a retail or hospital pharmacy.

The course is divided into two parts. In the first part you will have to undergo classroom and laboratory training for 400 hours and in the second part you will undergo externship training to gain real world experience. You will work with your instructor and arrange for your own externship site at a pharmacy in a retail or a hospital setting. During externship training, you will work on-site in a pharmacy and assist the pharmacist with the day to day tasks.

Key Highlights

- Students interested in this program at MTECH are eligible for financial aid. Contact the school's financial aid department for more details.

- You can choose either day or night classes, thus offering flexibility for students who are working and interested in pursuing this course.

- MTECH has an agreement with Utah Valley University allowing smooth transfer of credits for various programs.

- MTECH offers one of the lowest tuition rates among public post-secondary colleges.



#7. Tulsa Technology Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) is a public independent school affiliated with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. The college has six campuses in the Tulsa metro area, so you will always find a campus close to you. The college continuously strives to provide the best educational experience to its students. With industry partnerships, students are provided with the best of work-based experience and job placements too are appropriately made available. The affordable tuition cost and flexible class hours make the Tulsa Tech a much sought-after option.

Tulsa Technology Center offers an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Tech course. With 600 hours of coursework and 160 hours of clinical experience, students get the required exposure to excel in their chosen field of career. The clinical experience which usually takes place at the busy Walgreens can give students a confidence boost, learning concepts while working. A comprehensive coursework including Pharmacy Technician Orientation, Pharmaceutical Compounding, Pharmacology for PhT, Core Medical Terminology, Pharmaceutical Terminology, Pharmacy Professionalism, Anatomy, Sterile Products, Hospital and Long-Term Care Pharmacy Operations, Retail Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacy Law & Ethics, Pharmacological Calculations, Pharmacy Tech Internship and PTCB preparation forms part of the program.



#8. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College - Valdosta, Georgia

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (Wiregrass Georgia Tech) is a public institution located in Valdosta, Georgia. In 2010 East Central Technical College and Valdosta Technical College merged operations to cut down on administrative costs to form the Wiregrass Georgia Tech. Today it is one of the leading educational institutions in the state. The college guarantees quality education, promising to retrain its graduates at no instructional cost if in case the employer of its graduates finds him/her to be deficient in any of the competencies defined in the standards of the program. Its partnerships with many four-year colleges will seamlessly let you transfer credits, if you choose to continue your formal education.

Program: Wiregrass Georgia Tech offers a Diploma in Pharmacy Technology, where classroom lectures are integrated with laboratory hand-on learning. It is a 70 week program where 100 percent of its graduates have successfully got jobs. The ASHP accredited program begins every other semester and covers a coursework which will prepare you with all the technical and theoretical skills required for your job.



#9. Johnston Community College- Smithfield, North Carolina

Established in 1969, Johnston Community College (JCC) is a public, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The main campus, which is located in a picturesque rural location, offers more than 40 occupational programs of study and serves more than 15,000 students annually. JCC has witnessed steady enrollment growth and this in turn has allowed upgrades to campus facilities, creating more classrooms and specialized labs for health sciences programs.

JCC offers two pharmacy technician programs, namely; a Diploma and an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology. The diploma is a 3-semester program, offered as a full time/day option. The Associate is a 5-semester program and is offered as a day/evening/online/full-time option. On completion of the Pharmacy Tech program students at Johnston are eligible to apply for the PTCB Certification exam as well as the PTCB recognized Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician Exam (CSPT). But before applying for the CSPT exam, a year of experience of sterile compounding is required. The program director is Dr. Greg Garris, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) having a professional experience of 35 years in in-patient/outpatient pharmacy and healthcare leadership.

Key Highlights

• In January 2018 at the Community College Futures Assembly in Orlando, JCC was a proud winner of the Bellwether Award, which recognizes outstanding and innovative program practices.

• With an open-door admission policy, affordable tuition costs, competent faculty, small class sizes, JCC strives for excellence.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Diploma (12 Months) & A.A.S. (Two-Year)
Tuition & Fees: In-State: $3,248, Out-of-State: $10,928 (Diploma)
Books & Supplies: $1,315 (Diploma)

School Details

Established: 1969
Type: Public
Students: 4,152
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 60%


#10. Lakeshore Technical College - Cleveland, Wisconsin

Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) is a community college which was established in 1967. It is located in Cleveland, Wisconsin and has smaller regional centers in Sheboygan and Manitowoc. Each year LTC enrolls around 11,000 students to its 140 programs. LTC boasts of a fully equipped clinical lab for hands on learning for its Health Science students.

LTC offers a short and resourceful diploma program for pharmacy technicians which takes 2 terms or 32 credit hours to complete. The program not only gives all the necessary knowledge but also prepare its students to take the pharmacy tech certification exam. Being organized, having an eye for detail, a liking for math and science are some of the pre-requisites for the success of this program.

Key Highlights

• The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program is part of the ACT for Healthcare. It is an equal opportunity program and auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities.

• By bringing in industry experts and partnering with local business leaders, LTC leaves no stone unturned in ensuring the success of its graduates in the job market.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Diploma (30 Weeks)
Tuition & Fees: In-State: $5,016, Out-of-State: $7,131
Books & Supplies: $1,436

School Details

Established: 1967
Type: Public
Students: 2,734
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 76%


#11. Oconee Fall Line Technical College - Dublin, Georgia

Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) came into existence in 2011. Having multiple campuses, the college has two primary campuses; one is located in Sandersville and the other in Dublin. OFTC is a result of a merger of the Sandersville Technical College and the Heart of Georgia Technical College, both established names, and thus had a strong foundation to start with. OFTC offers a conducive learning environment with a plethora of student friendly policies, including career services, tutoring, student organizations and a campus which is drug, alcohol and tobacco free, taking a step towards the health and well-being of its students and faculty.

OFTC offers an Associate and a Diploma in Pharmacy Technology. The Associate degree which spans over 5 semesters for a full-time student is offered at its South Campus in Dublin (GA). The diploma program which takes 4 semesters to complete too is offered at the South Campus in Dublin. Graduates of both the programs are prepared to take up pharmacy tech positions in hospitals, retail pharmacies, nursing homes as well as long-term care facilities. The program director, Jack Shepherd has earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Georgia and also has the CPht and BLS-HCP certifications to his credit.

Key Highlights

• Playing the role of a responsible educator, OFTC guarantees training its graduates all over again if they are found to be deficient by his/her employer in any of the competencies as defined in the standards.

• Assisting its graduates in achieving their career goals, OFTC, offers a host of services such as individualized career counselling, career assessments, resume writing assistance, interviewing tips and workshops for career development.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Diploma (58 weeks) & A.A.S. (Two-Year)
Tuition & Fees: In-State: $4,820, Out-of-State: $8,664 (Diploma) & In-State: $5,890 (A.A.S.)
Books & Supplies: $2,000 (Diploma), $2,000 (A.A.S.)

School Details

Established: 2011
Type: Public
Students: 1,452
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 95%


#12. Fayetteville Technical Community College - Fayetteville, North Carolina

Located in the state of North Carolina, Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) is a community college that serves more than 41,000 students annually. It is the 4th largest community college in North Carolina and its Continuing Education department is one of the largest.

FTCC offers an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology which spans across 4 semesters. Students are enrolled into the program through a competitive admission process where they are required to complete all pre-requisites and gain points to be able to apply. The pharmacy tech program provides training where students will be able to gather data and monitor drug therapy, maintain inventories, mix intravenous solutions and other specialized medications, package medications in unit dose, dispense medications and update profiles.

Key Highlights

• FTCC uses technology in an innovative way to achieve an enriching learning environment for its students and it was applauded for the same by the Digital Community Colleges Survey.

• FTCC is recognized as a military friendly school as the wrap around services provided by the school include financial aid, mental health, counselling and tutoring can take the pressure off for military students and they can concentrate better on their program.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: A.A.S. (Two years)
Tuition & Fees: $5,438
Books & Supplies: $900

School Details

Established: 1961
Type: Public
Students: 11,660
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
% Receiving Aid: 80%


#13. Southeast Community College - Lincoln, Beatrice & Milford, NE

Southeast Community College (SCC) is a two-year public institution of higher education that serves students of the 15 counties in southeast Nebraska. SCC has campuses in Lincoln, Beatrice and Milford in Nebraska. With more than 50 programs offered, prospective students can find a suitable career training course to take the next step into their career. High quality instructions blended with the use of latest technology and equipment ensure students succeed at various organizational levels and dynamic work environments.

To keep up with the growing demand for pharmacy technicians in the state of Nebraska, SCC offers a diploma program in pharmacy technology which can be completed in 12 months. Courses in this program include pharmacology, pharmacy calculations, pharmacy operations, pharmacy law & ethics and pharmacy clinical education. As part of the curriculum you will need to undergo hands on training under a licensed pharmacist in a variety of facilities locally. The goal of this program through its high-quality classroom training and on the job real world experience is to teach you concepts, skills and knowledge required to work as a pharmacy tech.

This program also ensures you are well prepared to take the PTCB certification exam which is preferred by most employers these days. This program has been ranked one of the top pharmacy tech programs in the nation by thebestcolleges.org. You also need to know that 97% of students who completed this program found employment or continued their education. Graduates of this program start off with an entry level salary of $13.45.



#14. Concorde Career College - Memphis, TN | Tampa, Miramar & Orlando, FL

Concorde Career College centrally located in Memphis, Tennessee prepares students to successfully find employment in the field of health care by providing superior-quality education, real world training experience and student-centered support. Concorde Career has been in existence for more than 35 years and is part of the Concorde Career Colleges, Inc that operates 16 campuses spread over 8 states. The Memphis campus spread over 68,332 square feet has been nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and boats of an open-door admission and financial aid department.

Concorde Career - Memphis offers an Associate's degree in pharmacy technology that students can complete in 72 weeks. The goal of this program is to ensure students successfully apply classroom knowledge to the work setting they would be employed at upon graduation through a combination of theory and hands-on training experiences. Courses offered in this program are tailor made to train you in medication preparation, medication distribution and storage, medication ordering and pharmacy management/maintenance. To lower the financial burden Concorde Career offers scholarships to qualifying students. It also helps in optimizing your financial aid package. Once you graduate from this program you can apply for employment as a pharmacy tech with several pharmacies, hospitals and clinics located in Memphis.



#15. Pikes Peak Community College - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) is a community college which is the largest institution of higher education in the Pikes Peak region. Founded in 1968, the college has well-equipped and fully functional campuses serving El Paso, Teller and Elbert Counties. With nearly 19,000 students trusting PPCC with their education annually, its 158 associate degrees and certificate programs are well sought after.

PPCC offers a Pharmacy technician Certificate and Associate degree course. The state of art lab, excellent clinical facilities and competent and friendly faculty make both these programs a lucrative choice. Students will be trained in some core courses such as Pharmacology, Pharmacy Calculations and Compounding Techniques, Pharmacy Law and Ethics and Medical Terminology. The program coordinator, Nicole Barriera has been with PPCC since 2007 and is an expert in the field of pharmacy technology. A graduate of A.A.S., Pre-Pharmacy Studies, and the work experience she brings along can add insightful value to her students.

Key Highlights

• PPCC inaugurated its new Military and Veterans Center of Excellence recently adding one more to its earlier center. Twenty five percent of its student population being active military, veteran or military family members, the center is sure to benefit quite a few of its students.

Program Details

Accreditation: ASHP
Type & Length: Certificate (45 weeks) & A.A.S. (24 Months)
Tuition & Fees: $4,446 (Certificate)
Books & Supplies: $2,475 (Certificate)

School Details

Established: 1968
Type: Public
Students: 13,275
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21 to
% Receiving Aid: 68%


#16. Albany Technical College - Albany, Georgia

Albany Technical College was established in 1961 and is a vocational technical school located in Albany, Georgia. The college is committed to provide lifelong learning opportunities, imparting industry driven teaching which includes, classroom as well as online teaching. A friendly and dedicated faculty and a campus culture that nurtures the student's overall development, Albany Technical enrols 3000 full time and 2500 part time students.

Albany Technical offers a diploma and an associate degree in pharmacy technology. The main goal of these programs is to ensure students gain the required entry level skills and knowledge to work in a retail or hospital pharmacy. If you are working and want to pursue this program evening classes are available for most of the courses. The associate degree program students need to take more core courses compared their diploma counter parts. The occupational courses for both the programs include pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacology, principles of dispensing meds and principles of sterile med prep. Students of both the programs need to undergo clinical practicum which will help gain real world experience. 95% of the graduates of this program find employment within a reasonable amount of time.



#17. Davidson County Community College - Davidson, North Carolina

About the College: Davidson County Community College (DCCC) is a two-year public institution for higher education located in Davidson, North Carolina. Officially chartered as the present day DCCC in 1965, the college offers a variety of degrees and certificates and has growing student enrollments every year. Utilizing the semester-based academic calendar, DCCC has an open admission policy. It offers a host of student centric activities such as professional development groups, honor studies, student government, leadership and personal interest organizations to hone leadership and social skills, thus bringing out the best in each of its students.

Program: DCCC offers three options to aspiring pharmacy tech students. With a Certificate (12 credit hours), Diploma (36 credit hours) and Associate Degree (72 credit hours), its Pharmacy Technology programs figure in its most popular programs list. After you graduate you can work either as a Pharmacy Technician, Pharmaceutical Care Associate or a Certified Pharmacy Tech. This ASHP accredited program will train you to prepare for job opportunities in retail, hospital, long-term care, research laboratories, wholesale drug companies and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilitates.



#18. El Paso Community College - El Paso, Texas

El Paso Community College (EPCC) is a two-year public community college, located in El Paso, Texas. It was established in 1971 and is one of the fastest growing community colleges in the state, currently having more than 30,468 credit student enrolments. EPCC provides campus opportunities throughout the year where students participate in arts, athletics and cultural activities, therefore enriching their educational experience.

EPCC offers an ASHP accredited Certificate and Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology. For both these programs students attend specialized classroom sessions, as well as classes in biological sciences and clinical practicum to enhance learning. Graduates of the program are well trained to dispense medication, perform computer operations, prepare intravenous admixtures, prepare of nonsterile medical products. EPCC has been ranked #1 in the nation for Hispanic students seeking associate degrees.



#19. Central Georgia Technical College - Macon and Milledgeville, Georgia

Founded in 1962, Central Georgia Technical (CGTC) is a community college located in Warner Robins, Georgia. CGTC has multiple campuses, its main two campuses being Macon and Milledgeville. A perfect blend of academics and extra-curricular activities, the college serves a diverse body of students by offering traditional on-site as well as distance education programs.

Central Georgia Technical offers a Diploma in Pharmacy Technology and a Pharmacist's Assistant Certificate program. This ASHP accredited program will make you proficient in the knowledge and skills for you to be able to perform drug dispensing and handle pharmacy operation duties. To add to the classroom teaching, CGTC provides an online tutoring service called Smart Thinking. The college is known to deliver, so little surprise to that, 100 percent of its students get job placements in the regional employment market. With the Pharmacy Technology program being offered at the Macon and Milledgeville campuses, you have the convenience to choose your choice of location. The Diploma program is of 56 hours whereas the Pharmacist Assistant Certificate program is of 18 credit hours. The short certificate program is perfect if you are already working as a pharmacy technician and want to add credibility to your resume by earning yourself a certificate.



#20. College of the Mainland - Texas City, Texas

Located in Texas City, Texas, College of the Mainland (COM) established in the year 1966 is a learning centered two-year community college. With a student friendly policy, the college stays ahead in its initiatives of helping low income community students and students of color achieve their academic goals. Some of the highest salaries in the state are paid to the graduates of COM.

For students interested in pursuing an entry level career as a pharmacy technician the COM offers a Certificate program in Pharmacy Technology. The college also offers an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology for students seeking management or teaching positions in pharmacy technology. Both these programs prepare you to take the PTCB certification exam. Graduates of COM have a very high PTCB pass rate. As part of the program students must complete about 160 hours of internship training at a community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy. These internships often lead to successful employment for participating students. The certificate program covers courses like pharmaceutical math, pharmacy drug therapy and treatment, institutional pharmacy, pharmacotherapy and disease process, intravenous admixture and sterile compounds. The Associate of Applied Science program includes courses such as pharmaceutical math, institutional pharmacy, pharmacy drug therapy and treatment, pharmacotherapy and disease process, clinical pharmacy technician, intravenous admixture and sterile compounds, medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacy and human anatomy and physiology.



#21. South Texas College - Rio Grande Valley, Texas

South Texas is a community college located in the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas. It was established in 1993 and it emphasizes on quality education that is affordable too. It has one of the lowest tuition fees in the valley and along with affordable payment solutions you can go debt free.

South Texas College offers a Certificate and an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology which covers an extensive coursework in the duration of 36 and 60 credit hours respectively. If you want to start with an entry level pharmacy technician job, the Certificate program will be perfect as you will learn all the necessary skills and knowledge as well take the PTCB certification exam. The Associate Degree has an advanced coursework and is suitable if you wish to pursue your education further. Both these courses are available as a combination of daytime, hybrid and online classes, therefore giving you the flexibility to fulfill your additional responsibilities without compromising on the quality of the education.



#22. Cerritos College - Norwalk, California

Established in 1955, Cerritos is a community college located in Norwalk, California. It offers degrees and certificates in 87 areas of study. The college is located at a convenient location, making it easier for students to commute. Cerritos had 3,312 graduates in 2017, the largest ever in its campus history. The student-centric approach of Cerritos empowers students to succeed in academics, social and career development in a friendly and supportive environment.

Cerritos offers a Certificate and an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology. The Certificate program takes 31 semester units whereas the Associate takes 60 semester units to complete. Both the programs are ASHP accredited and start in the Fall and Spring semesters. PioneerRx, a leading software used in the pharmaceutical world, is utilized in both the programs. The software helps students to understand the day to day operations in the pharmacy in a better way. An extensive coursework covering topics from Medication Calculations to Pharmacy Operations, from Pharmacology to Medical Terminology, the program with its clinical experience, well prepares its students to get started with the Pharmacy Technician career.



#23. Southern Crescent Technical College - Griffin, Georgia

Southern Crescent Technical (SCTC) is a two-year post-secondary college having its two main campuses in griffin and Thomaston, Georgia. There are three other centers located in Jackson, Monticello and Butler. SCTC is a result of a merger of Griffin Technical College and Flint River Technical College, which took place in 2009. In spite of being a large institution, the competent and friendly faculty is known to give individualized attention to students. Financial aid, amounting to $18,950 in terms of scholarships was awarded to students enrolled in Fall 2017.

SCTC offers an Associate in Pharmacy Technology which spans over 6 terms. Admission into this program is competitive and is based on an overall GPA for core classes and on the Nationalized test score (PSB HOAE). The academic environment in the classroom is competitive as well and therefore brings out the best in every pharmacy technology student. This challenging as well as engaging program will prepare you to function as a pharmacy tech in retail and hospital settings.



#24. Chemeketa Community College - Salem, Oregon

Chemeketa Community College located in Salem, Oregon provides high quality education and workforce training. The college serves 30,000 students and is well known for its 'College Credit Now' programs, where students save millions in tuition. Chemeketa also publishes low-cost textbooks, thus ensuring savings worth hundreds of dollars for students.

Chemeketa offers two pharmacy tech courses which will be taught by its team of experienced faculty. The goal of the programs is to prepare students for entry level jobs as a pharmacy tech working under the guidance of a pharmacist in a community, clinic and hospital pharmacies.

12 Months Certificate Program: Skills you will learn during this program include accurately compounding, preparing and dispensing medication and managing the other day to day functions in a pharmacy.

24 Months Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Management: Skills you learn, will include communication strategies, negotiation, persuasion, accounting principles, inventory management, cost control, thus ensuring smooth running of the pharmacy, keeping in mind safety of the patients and regulatory compliance.



#25. Santa Ana College - Santa Ana, California

Based out of Santa Ana, the Santa Ana College (SAC) established in 1915 is a two-year community college offering in-demand academic programs for students. SAC has been ranked 19th amongst the top 100 associate degree producers for "total minority" students. SAC also boasts of one the most successful athletic programs in the region with around 6 national titles and 25 state championships.

California is a great place to work as a pharmacy technician. As per the latest BLS figures California has around 3000 pharmacy tech job openings every year and offers a decent salary in the range of $26,450 - $59,420. To contribute to this growing requirement for pharmacy techs in the state, SAC offers a Certificate program. SAC has been offering this program since 1972 and prepares students for careers in retail, hospital, long term care and mail order pharmacies. SAC has the distinction of having been the first community college in the United States to be accredited by ASHP. Coursework here also prepares you for admission to a pharmacy school.



#26. Augusta Technical College - Augusta, Georgia

Augusta Technical, a 2-year Georgia educational institution, first opened its doors in 1961 and currently serves students at locations in Augusta, Thomson, Waynesboro and Grovetown. Augusta Technical is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Augusta Tech is committed to developing an efficient workforce by offering high quality education. The tuition is affordable and the college boasts of a pretty high job placement rate.

To meet the growing demand for pharmacy techs in Georgia, Augusta Technical offers a Diploma and Associate of Applied Science degree . Upon successful completion you can find employment in retail drug stores and hospital pharmacies.

Diploma: Starts once a year in the spring can be completed in 18 months. Goal of this program is to ensure you have the required skills, knowledge and abilities to work as an entry level pharmacy tech under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Associate of Applied Science Degree: This comprehensive day program starts in fall of each year. You will be prepared to perform all the functions required of a pharmacy tech. Amongst the skills you will learn, includes weighing, measuring dosages, filtering and mixing drugs. You will also be thoroughly prepared to take the PTCB examination to become a certified pharmacy tech.



#27. North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, North Dakota

The North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), a 2-year public institution based out of Wahpeton, North Dakota, offers more than 80 academic programs. The college boasts of a very impressive 98% placement rate. NDSCS first started operations in 1903 and currently has an enrollment of around 3,000 students. NCDS also offers several distance education and online programs. Students of NCDS are prepared to thrive in challenging and high paying careers.

NDSCS offers a 9 months training program, designed to prepare students to be employed as entry level pharmacy techs under the supervision of a pharmacist in pharmacies and hospitals. You will learn skills required to prepare medications, compound, mix drugs, dispense medications and process insurance. As per NDSCS, 100% of pharmacy tech graduates were employed and are earning a salary in the range of $2,702-$3,200 monthly.



#28. Casper College - Casper, Wyoming

Casper College was founded in 1945 as the first junior college in the state of Wyoming. Located in the city of Casper, this college currently has an enrollment of around 4,000 students and offers more than 140 academic programs. The campus is spaciously spread over 300 acres and has 28 building.

The pharmacy technology program at Casper will prepare you for a career as a pharmacy tech in a pharmacy, at either a healthcare setting or a drug store. The program can be completed either online or on campus based on your convenience. A significant component of the program is geared towards gaining real time experience by working under a licensed pharmacist, at either at various clinical settings. Casper College offers two options for students:

Certificate Program: This basic program includes core pharmacy tech courses and ensures you are ready for a job as an entry level pharmacy tech.

Associate of Science Degree: A more comprehensive program where you will take core pharmacy technology courses along with general education. If you are planning for further education in the future, then this program provides a strong foundation.



#29. Columbus Technical College - Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Technical College (CTC) is a public two-year institution located in Columbus, Georgia. The college boasts of a 97% job placement rate, out of which around 90% are employed within 50 miles of the Columbus area. The current enrollment of the college is at 5,300 and almost all students receive some sort of financial aid.

Diploma: The 56-credit diploma program is designed to help build a career in a hospital, retail chain, assisted living or a trauma care center. You will learn about medical terminologies, drug dispensing, pharma calculations and sterile medication preparation. The course also includes clinical training where you will gain practical experience in a real-world setting.

Associate Degree: The associate degree in Pharmacy Technology at CTC will get you ready for a career as a pharmacy tech where you will work under a pharmacist in a retail, hospital, clinic or long-term care facility. Coursework will include medical terminology for allied health sciences, anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutical calculations, principles of dispensing medications, sterile medication preparation and pharmacology. As part of the program you will also complete clinical training to fulfill the much-needed experiential learning criteria.

Once you graduate from either one of the two programs offered at CTC you can sit for the national pharmacy tech certification exams and become certified. A Certified pharmacy tech is in high demand in the state of Georgia and will also have better job opportunities.



#30. Guilford Technical Community College - High Point, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), established in 1958, is currently the fourth largest institution in the North Carolina Community College System serving more than 35,000 students annually. With campuses located in Jamestown, Greensboro, High Point and Colfax, GTCC aims to provide affordable and career-centric education in more than 80 different areas of study.

GTCC is offering two Pharmacy Technology programs; one is the diploma and the other an associate degree at its High Point campus. You will learn the required skills and knowledge to become a successful pharmacy tech by getting trained in a state of the art functional simulation lab, which includes a Modular clean room with laminar flow hood and a med dispensing machine. You will also be taught to work with Pioneer Rx software, which is currently being widely used by big pharmacies. The programs are hybrid, being a great blend of online and on-campus learning. As part of your training you will work at a local pharmacy to gain real word experience.



#31. North Central Kansas Technical College - Hays, Kansas

North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) provides training and skills required to be successful in your career. NCK Tech at its two Kansas campuses in Beloit and Hays provides 24 academic programs which includes hands-on training to ensure students get the much-required real world experience. According to the college, more than 90% of the graduates successfully find placements.

NCK Tech's one-year certificate program at its Hays campus provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to work as a pharmacy tech in the state of Kansas. You will learn and be knowledgeable in: pharmacy laws and regulations, medication preparation and dispensing, dosage calculations, compounding techniques and inventory management. Upon graduation students of this program can find employment in drug stores, hospitals and grocery stores. You need to be registered with the state of Kansas before you start working. Students are also advised to take the PTCB exam and become certified to have a more stable career as a pharmacy technician.



#32. San Bernardino Valley College - San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) operating since 1926 is a leading provider of technical education in the region. Centrally located in San Bernardino, this 2-year community college has an enrollment of over 17,000 students and offers 138 academic programs in fields like nursing, human services, computer information technology and allied health.

SBVC offers 2 programs to prepare students for an entry level pharmacy tech position:

Certificate: You will be able to complete this program in 9 months and will learn how to verify prescriptions, fill prescriptions, mix medications, manage inventory and prepare insurance claims forms. You will also participate in a 240-hour clinical training program. Pre-Requisite courses for this program are: Introductory anatomy and physiology, elementary algebra and preparation for college writing.

Associate of Science Degree: Students in this program will undergo more extensive training compared to a certificate program. Courses you will take are: Pharmacology, Pharmacy Calculations, Pharmacy Systems and Pharmacy Seminar. You are required to complete 240 hours of hands on training to gain real world experience.



#33. Ogeechee Technical College - Statesboro, Georgia

Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is a two-year pubic college offering certificate, diploma and associate degree programs in various fields at its campus located in Statesboro, Georgia. OTC aims to help students succeed in their careers by promoting traditional as well as distance learning.

The diploma program at OTC will prepare you to fulfill the tasks as an entry level pharmacy technician with a combination of classroom learning and practical training. You need to obtain licensure from the Georgia Board of Pharmacy after you are admitted into this program. The clinical training which is a vital part of this program will help you gain real world experience by implementing the skills and knowledge gained in classroom. You need to spend a minimum of 225 hours in training and can choose from amongst 24 clinical training sites. Potential employment sites for students of this program are pharmacies in: hospitals, drug stores, healthcare facilities and military bases.



#34. Arkansas State University-Beebe - Beebe, Arkansas

Arkansas State University-Beebe, also known as Beebe State or ASU-Beebe is a public two-year institution located in Beebe, Arkansas. Founded in the year 1927, the college currently offers high-quality education for students at its 4 campuses in - Beebe, Heber Springs, Searcy and Little Rock Air Force Base. ASU-Beebe has also partnered with Arkansas State University, Jonesboro to offer bachelors and graduate degree programs at its main campus in Beebe.

ASU-Beebe is currently offering three programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians - certificate of proficiency, technical certificate and an associate of applied science in Pharmacy Technology. The curriculum is designed where classroom instruction perfectly complements the hands-on training thus ensuring the students are ready to take up the challenges involved in in assisting a pharmacist to help run the pharmacy smoothly. Upon graduation, students can find employment in drug store chains, hospitals, mail-order pharmacies & long-term care. Graduates of this program have a 100% job placement and 100% pass rate in the PTCB exam.



#35. Jefferson Community and Technical College - Louisville, Kentucky

Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) is a two-year public community college with its main campus located in Louisville, Kentucky. JCTC is one of the largest community colleges in the state of Kentucky serving more than 12,000 students annually. Goal of the college is to provide excellent educational opportunities for students in an all inclusive and safe learning environment.

JCTC offers 3 courses in Pharmacy Technology. One is a 32-week certificate program and the second one an 80-week diploma program and the third one is a 32-week retail pharmacy tech course. You will be trained in classroom and laboratory, to gain skills so that upon graduation you will be able to efficiently work under a registered pharmacist at a retail store, hospital and long-term care facility. Students of this program, who go on to pass the PTCB exam will have better opportunities and job stability.



#36. Hutchinson Community College - Hutchinson, Kansas

Hutchinson Community College established during the year 1928 in Hutchinson, Kansas currently serves 14,000 students from all over the globe. With a dedicated faculty team of more than 360 instructors Hutch CC provides more than 1300 courses and offers certificates, diplomas and degrees in around 120 majors.

Hutchinson Community College offers a 33-credit hour certificate program in Pharmacy Technology, to help students have a successful career working in a pharmacy setting. The coursework is taught online, but you need to attend the college for lab work. The program also includes practical training as part of which you will need to work and gain real world experience in a pharmacy. If you are working or have a busy family life, then the flexibility, this program offers should work well for you. Upon graduation you will find employment at community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and long-range care facilities.



#37. Carrington College - Multiple Locations

Aging population, higher rate of chronic diseases and advances in pharmaceutical research have all led to a growing demand for prescription drugs. Pharmacy techs assist pharmacists in running a pharmacy. To meet the growing demand for pharmacy techs across the United States, Carrington offers courses for aspiring students at several locations throughout the nation. The Sacramento campus has made it to our ranking list.

Locations: Mesa, Phoenix East & Tucson, AZ | Citrus Heights, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro & Stockton, CA | Boise, ID | Albuquerque, NM | Portland, OR | Spokane, WA

Carrington is currently offering 2 programs at the above mentioned locations:

Certificate Program: 9 Months

Associate Degree: 2 Years

The goal of the program here, is to help you gain skills like: preparing and dispensing of medication, verifying patient prescription information, maintaining patient histories and managing inventory. The program also prepares you to sit for the PTCB examination.

As part of its initiative to provide career assistance to all its students, Carrington will help you with resume writing, job search advice and interview tips. Upon graduation, pharmacy tech students of Carrington must be able to apply for jobs in pharmacies, hospitals, drug stories, mail-order pharmacies and grocery stores.



#38. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College - Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College established in 1959 is a two-year public college located in Asheville, North Carolina. The college spread over 145 acres boasts an annual enrollment of 25,000 students. The college has 178 full-time and 473 part-time and presently offers 59 degrees, 17 diplomas and 55 certificate programs in various academic fields.

A-B Tech currently has 2 programs that offer training to aspiring pharmacy techs.

Diploma: This 45 credit hours course can be completed in 12 months. Coursework incudes pharmacy professional practice, pharmacy calculations, community pharmacy, trends in pharmacy, pharmacology, & sterile products. To complete this program, you will be required to complete 192 hours of clinical training in various retail and hospital settings.

Associate in Applied Science: This 71 credit hours course is a more comprehensive study and involves courses such as pharmacy professional practice, pharmacy calculations, community pharmacy, trends in pharmacy, pharmacology, sterile products, hospital pharmacy, pharmacy dosage forms, general psychology & quantitative literacy. 432 hours of rigorous clinical training which is avital part of this program will ensure you gain real world experience.

Upon completion of the program students are recommended to take either one of the national certification exams to get certified - PTCB or ExCPT. You can apply for employment in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, wholesale drug companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.



#39. Northshore Technical Community College - Multiple Locations

Northshore Technical Community College as part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) offers certificates, diplomas and associate degrees to students at multiple locations in the state of Louisiana. The college currently has an annual enrollment of more than 4,500 students.

Locations: Greensburg, Hammond & Bogalusa, Louisiana

NTCC offers a Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) program with the goal of providing strong foundation to aspiring pharmacy techs so that they can assist the pharmacist in the efficiently preparing and dispensing medication. This program at NTCC takes up to 12-24 months and includes 630 hours of extensive clinical training. You will be well trained to take the PTCB exam and get certified as this is a requirement to work in the state of Louisiana.

Upon successfully getting certified you will be able to find employment in Central Rexall Drugs, CVS Pharmacy, Folsom Family Pharmacy, Fred's Pharmacy, Kentwood Manor, North Oaks Health System, Paul's Pharmacy, Precious Hands, Resthaven Living Center, Scott Pharmacy, St. Helena Parish Hospital, Walgreens and Wal-Mart Pharmacy.



#40. Forsyth Technical Community College - Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Tech with its main campus located in Winston-Salem, NC provides education to more than 11,000 students with an ultimate goal to contribute to the local economy and the global community as a whole. The college with an annual budget of around $100 million has state of the art facilities. The library here has a collection of more than 45,000 books and 100,000 e-books.

Forsyth Tech offers a diploma as well as an Associate in Applied Science degree to students interested in entering the field of pharmacy technology. Both the programs include classroom training, laboratory training and clinical training. You will be undergoing clinical training at the Forsyth Medical Center-Wake Forest, Baptist Health, Cone Health, and other pharmacies in the Winston-Salem area.

Diploma: It will take 12 months to complete this evening course and you can also pursue it part-time.

Associate in Applied Science: This evening course is more comprehensive compared to a diploma and it is also offered part time.

Upon graduation you will be prepared to take the PTCB exam. From the class of 2016, 100% passed the PTCB in the very first attempt within six month of graduation and 100% students from the graduating class of 2016-2017 were employed within six months.



#41. KCTCS Somerset Community College - Somerset, Kentucky

Somerset Community College (SCC) located in Somerset, KY is part of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System and offers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in high paying and high demand careers. The programs here at Somerset have been designed keeping in mind the needs of the local businesses so upon graduation students should be able to easily find employment.

SCC offers a 32 weeks certificate program and a 48 weeks diploma program for students interested in pursuing pharmacy technology. Both these programs prepare you to take the PTCB exam. Upon graduation you should apply for an entry level position in retail, hospital or mail-order pharmacies.

If you are exclusively looking to get trained to work in retail pharmacy, then the college offers a 32-weeks certificate in retail pharmacy. This program will train you to assist the pharmacist in a retail pharmacy.



#42. Central New Mexico Community College - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Providing affordable education to more than 30,000 students annually, Central New Mexico Community College located in Albuquerque is the largest community college in the state of New Mexico. CNM stands #1 in the state of New Mexico for online distance education thus providing lot of flexibility for its students to pursue courses of their interest.

CNM offers a comprehensive training program in pharmacy technology to prepare students to be ready for entry level jobs at pharmacies in retail, hospitals and other health care settings. The training involves classroom lectures, laboratory work and on the job training. The lab work specially emphasizes on preparation of sterile intravenous products and a total of 63 hours is exclusively dedicated to this particular part. The program will thoroughly prepare you to take the national pharmacy technician certification exam. According to CNM its pharmacy tech graduates have consistently fared better than the national average on the PTCB exam.



#43. Louisiana State University Alexandria - Alexandria, Louisiana

As the only state supported undergraduate university in the state of Louisiana, Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSUA) aims to provide affordable education to students in an academic friendly environment that helps the students excel in their chosen field of study.

LSUA offers a comprehensive 18 months Certificate in Pharmacy Technology for students in Louisiana interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacy tech. The program is designed to help you gain the skills, knowledge and attitude required to work as a pharmacy technician.

The program is affiliated with several well know organizations in the area: CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, LSUHSCH Huey P. Long Medical Center, Rapides Regional Medical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center and several small and big retail pharmacies & institutional pharmacies. During the clinical training part of this program, you will work in a simulated lab, where you will be using PioneerRx and gain real time experience in managing the day to day operations of a pharmacy. As part of the clinical training you will also work at affiliated hospitals and retail pharmacies.

After completion of the program you should be able to find employment in drug store chains, hospitals or other health care institutions.



#44. Front Range Community College - Westminster, Colorado

Front Range Community College (FRCC) located at Westminster, Longmont, Fort Collins and Brighton in Colorado was established in 1968 and currently has an enrollment of close to 30,000 students. The affordable courses offered by FRCC are aimed at providing immediate employment for students in high demand careers. It is important to note that FRCC is the #1 transfer institution for students interested in pursuing higher education at Colorado State University, University of Colorado-Boulder and University of Northern Colorado.

Front Range Community College is offering a 29 credit, 30-week Pharmacy Technology certificate course at its Westminster campus. The course is spread over two semesters. In the first semester you will have to attend five-week classroom instruction, thrice and in the second semester you will work in a hospital and community setting for around 10 weeks. After graduating from this program, you can work as a pharmacy tech in a retail or a hospital setting.



#45. Cuyahoga Community College - Cleveland, Ohio

Cuyahoga Community College established in 1963 at Cuyahoga County, is the oldest and largest public college in the state of Ohio. The college provides career centric and affordable education to over 26,000 students, annually. The college offers associate degrees in a wide array of disciplines and in fact is ranked 25th in the nation in providing associate degrees.

Cuyahoga Community College offers 2 programs in Pharmacy Technology. Both the programs will prepare you for careers in a pharmacy setting, where you can prepare, package, label and dispense medication under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Certificate of Proficiency: This 36-credit hour program involves rigorous training at Cuyahoga's state-of-the-art pharmacy lab. Coursework includes contemporary mathematics, pharmacology and therapeutic principles & pharmacy practice. The option of taking either day or evening classes is available to fit your schedule.

Associate of Applied Science: This 61-credit hour course is a more in-depth study and you will be taking specialized courses. This course is offered both during the day and evening, thus providing flexible hours. You will work in a hospital and community pharmacy as part of your experiential learning and gain valuable real-world experience. This program also includes a pharmacy technician examination review course which will prepare you to successfully pass the PTCB exam.



#46. Pima Medical Institute - Multiple Locations

Pima Medical Institute (PMI) established in 1972 in Tucson, Arizona currently provides academic programs for students at 17 campuses spread all over the western United States. PMI currently runs the largest privately-owned network of allied health schools in the country. PMI campuses providing pharmacy tech education in the following locations have made it to our ranking list.

Locations:Mesa & Tucson, AZ | Chula Vista & San Marcos, CA | Colorado Springs & Denver, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Albuquerque, NM | El Paso & Houston, TX | Renton & Seattle, WA

In less than 9 months you can earn you certificate in pharmacy technology at PMI. The coursework will prepare you for an entry level job and ensure you are ready to take the PTCB exam. To make you job-ready you will undergo valuable training in a real-world lab. One of the highlights of the program is training in IV compounding, which is widely used in hospitals thus ensuring you enjoy an advantage in the employment market.



#47. Virginia College - Multiple Locations

Virginia College was founded in 1983 in the state of Virginia and currently serves over 11,000 students at its campuses mostly spread over in the southeastern United States. This private institution offers career specific program in high demand fields such as health, IT, criminal justice and business. Virginia College campuses offering pharmacy tech courses in the following locations have made it to our ranking.

Locations: Augusta, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Jackson, Knoxville, Macon, North Charleston, Savannah, Shreveport, Spartanburg, Fort Pierce, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Mobile & Richmond

The pharmacy tech training at Virginia College can be completed in under 9 months. This program includes an extensive lab training where you will learn how to use the various tools and equipment, preparing medication, mixing medication, sterile compounding and making IV solutions. Externship part of the program will give you valuable real-world training at a pharmacy, pharmaceutical distributor or medical product provider of your choice.



#48. Wallace State Community College - Hanceville - Alabama

Named after Alabama's first governor, Wallace State Community College serving over 14,000 students annually offers student centered high-quality academic programs in more than 50 disciplines.

Wallace State Community College offers a short 8-month certificate program in pharmacy technology. You will be learning this course in classrooms equipped with the latest technology which includes interactive SmartBoards and Tegrity. This program is designed to prepare you for careers in both retail as well as institutional pharmacies. Upon completion of this program you can appear for the PTCB exam and take up entry level jobs at drug stores, hospitals, clinics, state health care agencies and mail-order pharmacies. Please note certification is not required in the state of Alabama but will add value to your career in terms of salary and employment outlook.



#49. Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Murfreesboro & Memphis - Tennessee

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) is a leader in technical education. The TCAT campuses located in Murfreesboro & Memphis offering pharmacy tech education have made it to our ranking. The diploma program being offered by the college can be completed in 12 months and will train you to start working as an entry level pharmacy technician in the state of TN. The course is offered full time during the day.

Upon successful completion of the program you can work in retail pharmacies, community pharmacies, home health care, long-term care facilities & mail-order pharmacies.



#50. North Idaho College - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

North Idaho College (NIC) located on the splendid shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene was founded during the great depression in 1933 and today serves over 7000 students annually. This community college follows an open-door admission policy and prides on contributing to the economic development of the region by preparing students for employment in the local businesses, industries and government agencies.

NIC offers a 16-month long Pharmacy Technology Intermediate Technical Certificate. This is a hybrid program where you will be taught online but must attend the campus for lab work. Coursework will include subjects such as: infection prevention, computer fundamentals for tech, medical terminology, computational skills for allied health, pharmacy law & ethics, applied pharmacy technology & extemporaneous compounding and IV Certification. As part of the course you will work healthcare settings in the community to gain valuable experience.



What You Need to Know About a Pharmacy Technician

Duties

• Effectively communicate with patients
• Answering calls from patients, insurance companies and healthcare practitioners
• Process and prepare prescriptions
• Properly measure and mix medication
• Use technology to print labels
• Process insurance claims
• Manage pharmacy inventory and supplies
• Enter patient data
• Manage patient billing
• Compound Intravenous IV solutions
• Overlook the automation process in the pharmacy

Skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication
• Stress management and problem solving
• Organizational skills
• Knowledge of Pharmacy Law and ethics
• Savvy with the use Computers and pharmacy related software
• Medical Terminology
• Pharmacy Calculations
• Pharmacology

Personal Characteristics

• Empathetic and a keen desire to help people
• Great communicator with a friendly demeanor
• High levels of integrity, accuracy and attention to detail
• An eager learner
• A team player who can work in a collaborative manner
• Organized and disciplined
• Ability to work under stressful situations
• Dependability and reliability

Where Will You Work

• Hospital Pharmacies such as Northwell Health, St. Luke's Health System, Allina Health, VCA Animal Hospitals, MedStar Health, UnitedHealth Group, The Little Clinic, Truman Medical Centers, Providence Health & Services, Cleveland Clinic, Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, Central Admixture Pharmacy Services, Inc., Kinney Drugs, US Army and Army Reserve
• Retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Wal-mart, Target, Publix, Kroger, Costco, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Safeway, Winn-Dixie and Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy.
• Mail order pharmacies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Long term care pharmacies
• Nursing Homes

Work Environment

• Clean ventilated workplaces with shelves loaded with pharmaceutical supplies.
• Busy retail pharmacies where you will work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Hospitals where you will interact with doctors, nurses and patients.
• Mail order pharmacies where you will be processing a large volume of mail orders on a daily basis.
• Grocery and department stores where you may be responsible for boosting sales.

Work Schedule

• Day shifts: If you are working in a retail pharmacy or a grocery store, your shift may be sometime between 7am to 11pm.
• Night shifts: If you are working for a 24-hour pharmacy, you may have to work night shifts, i.e., post 11 pm. However, night shifts are mostly on rotational basis.
• Full-time: A full time pharmacy tech usually works a 9-hour shift.
• Part-time: A part time shift is usually 4 hours daily or 20 hours/week.
• Weekends: If you are working for a 24-hour pharmacy, you may work on weekends as well as holidays.

Risks

• Allergic reaction to drugs.
• Repetitive nature of work can cause strain.
• Dealing with sick patients increases the risk of catching an infection.
• Substance abuse patients can get violent.
• Getting exposed to radioactive substances while dealing with nuclear medicine can be hazardous to health.



Is Pharmacy Technician a Good Career Choice?

Now that you know about a pharmacy tech, let us look into the salary, employment prospects and what makes it viable to become a pharmacy tech.

i) You Get Paid A Decent Salary

On an average, as per 2018 BLS data a pharmacy tech earned $34,020 annually, which is a decent salary when compared to other allied health careers requiring similar level of education.

$16.35 Hourly $2,840 Monthly $34,020 Annual

ii) 5-Year Positive Salary Growth

Taking 2018 as the base year, where a pharmacy tech on an average earned $34,020, in 2023 the salary is projected to grow to $37,520, which is certainly an encouraging indication, growing at a rate of 10.29%

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 $33,500 $34,000 $34,500 $35,000 $35,500 $36,000 $36,500 $37,000 $37,500 $38,000 $34,580 $35,420 $36,130 $36,810 $37,520

iii) Promising 10 Year Employment Growth Projection (2016-2026)

Starting from 2016, there will 47,600 new jobs for pharmacy techs created by 2026. With an employment growth rate of 11.83% from 2016-26, it certainly means a secure future for your career as a pharmacy tech.

iv) No Dearth of Employment Opportunities

Just in the year 2017, across the nation, 37,500 pharmacy tech positions required to be filled up. While majority of these positions were replacements for retiring pharmacy techs, there were also some new jobs which were created.

New Jobs Replacement Jobs Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)
4,01033,49037,500

v) One of the Least Stressful Jobs

Compared to other allied healthcare careers, a pharmacy technician's job is comparatively less stressful.

• There are no life-threatening situations to deal with or for that matter this job does not entail treating any emergency patient conditions.

• Part-time jobs offer a comfortable work-life balance

vi) Job Satisfaction (Contributing to The Community)

Working as a pharmacy tech gives you an opportunity to contribute to the community by helping patients recover from their illness. Helping people from different walks of life on day to day basis can make it a rewarding occupation.



What Education do you Need to Start Working as a Pharmacy Tech?

While you can launch a pharmacy tech career soon after you complete high school, gaining education can considerably brighten your career prospects. Let us glance through why you should consider education and what all goes into becoming a trained pharmacy tech.

Why Education Is A Must?

• You gain relevant knowledge and skills when you complete your training program.
• You will be preferred by employers, thus finding a job will be easy.
• You can demand a higher salary.
• An internship/externship, a significant component of pharmacy tech training can give you the much-needed hand-on experience.
• Formal schooling prepares you for the national certification exam, both PTCB and NHA.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

Your duration of education depends on the program you chose to take. It takes anywhere from 9 months for a Certificate/Diploma to 24 months for an Associate Degree program.

What are my education options?

Well, to get trained as a pharmacy tech you have 3 educational paths to choose from; a Certificate, a Diploma and an Associate Degree. While both Certificate and Diploma are preferable for a successful pharmacy tech career, an Associate on the other hand can be considered if you are keen on advancing your career or pursuing higher education.

Option 1 Certificate:

• A certificate program takes about 9 months to complete.
• Your training will include theory as well as lab learning.
• Orientation to Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Medical Terminology, Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacology, Medical Law and ethics, Introduction to Communication are the core topics covered.
• Prepares you for the Certification exam.
• You can expect to earn a salary ranging between $21,431 and $39,811.

Option 2 Diploma:

• A diploma takes 9 to 10 months to complete.
• An externship/internship, giving you hand-on experience is an important part of the curriculum.
• The coursework covered is almost same as covered in a Certificate program.
• Prepares you for the Certification exam.
• Expect to earn a similar salary ranging $21,431 and $39,811.

Option 3 Associate Degree:

• Takes 24 months to complete.
• Coursework is comprehensive and includes topics such as Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacology, Advanced Pharmacy Operations, Pharmacy Calculations, Effective Communication for the Workplace, Medical Terminology, Pharmacy Law and Ethics and Computer Skills.
• Internship/Externship provides clinical experience.
• Prepares you for the Certification exam.
• Expect to earn a salary ranging between $25,000 and $39,811

How much will my education cost?

Your cost of education will depend on the program you choose, type of school (public or private, your location of study and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. The total cost listed below includes tuition cost and other miscellaneous expenses:

• Certificate: $5,674-$15,659
• Diploma: $4,500-$15,000
• Associate Degree: $9,000-$18,000

What are the program start dates?

Pharmacy Tech programs usually start twice a year; in Spring and Fall. Some schools may offer classes starting in summer as well, so you need to check with the college you plan to enroll in.

What are the admission Requirements?

• High School graduate or G.E. D.
• Have a college cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Be 18 years of age before completion of the program
• Demonstration of success in science and math courses, from high school or college. (It is recommended that you take algebra and chemistry while in high school)
• Drug screen and criminal background check must be negative. No felony convictions.
• Provide current CPR certification
• Immunizations
• Physical Examination and health tests
• Provide evidence of current health insurance and maintain it to stay enrolled in the program.

Why should you get certified?

Well, to get certified as a pharmacy tech you can either consider PTCB or the NHA certification. While both are accepted, the PTCB is widely preferred.

• In some states it may be a requirement by the state board of pharmacy to obtain a pharmacy tech licensure.
• You will be in a position to demand a higher salary.
• You will edge out competition in the job market as employers will prefer to hire you as against non-certified counterparts.
• It adds a lot of credibility to your resume at a negligible cost; PTCB board fees are just $129, while NHA is $105.
• With continuing education being a requirement to maintain certification, you will stay abreast with the latest developments in the pharmaceutical world.
• Due to some states requiring certification, as a Certified Pharmacy Tech, can find employment easily in case you plan to move states. This enhances your job stability to quite an extent.



Useful Resources

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT)
AAPT is an association providing membership benefits to pharmacy technicians. It provides opportunities to pharmacy technicians to build a resource network, take continuing education programs and update their knowledge and skills by subscribing to services offered by the association.

National Pharmacy Technician Association ( NPTA)
NPTA is the world's largest professional organization established especially for pharmacy technicians. Membership to the organization is open to pharmacy technicians, students and educators. Continuing education, skill and knowledge updating workshops, e-learning resources and a career center are some of its membership benefits.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
PTCB is the certification board which administers the Pharmacy Technician certifying exam. The board certification is widely recognized in the nation. Pharmacy Technicians can also renew their certification or apply for continuing education.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
ASHP is a professional organization that includes pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and since 75 years been at the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety. The ASHP accreditation is the most sought after for a pharmacy technician program. Students can check from the ASHP directory whether their college is accredited or not.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS provides accurate salary information for pharmacy technicians across the nation. Job outlook, salaries across various work environments and states can be easily sourced from the BLS site.

Job Listing- Indeed
You can find job listings for pharmacy technician placements on Indeed. Part-time, full-time, temporary jobs, internship jobs openings across the nation are available on this site.



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