Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Kentucky

Kentucky's huge aging population and the tremendous advances in the pharmaceutical field transform into a very positive outlook for pharmacy technicians. The average annual income of a pharmacy technician in Kentucky is $33,390. The state has 16 schools providing training programs to aspiring pharmacy technicians. While you can choose any school to complete your pharmacy technician education, graduating from the best will add credibility and value to your resume. Out of the 16 schools, we have ranked the Top 5 ASHP accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Kentucky, with which you can start with. These schools have been ranked based on our methodology, taking factors such as quality of education, student faculty ratio, tuition cost and graduation rate.

5 Best ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Kentucky for 2024

(Following is a list of schools offering the best pharmacy technician programs in Kentucky)

#1. Bluegrass Community and Technical College - Lexington

Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), a two-year institution located In Lexington offers associate degree, certificates and diplomas to students in more than 40 different areas. The college is part of the sixteen 2-year colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). To keep up with the growing demand for pharmacy technicians BCTC offers 3 programs. One is a 30-week Certificate program, 45-week Diploma program in pharmacy technology, and a 30-Week Retail Pharmacy Technician program. The programs at BCTC include an externship which will provide you with a real-world learning experience. Coursework in this program stresses on comprehension, communication and skill-based competency.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 30 Weeks for the Certificate, 45 weeks for the Diploma and 30 Weeks for the Retail Pharmacy Certificate

#2. Somerset Community College - Somerset

Somerset Community College (SCC) is part of the 16 two-year colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). SCC admits around 20 pharmacy technician students yearly and offers a Certificate of 32 weeks, Diploma of 48 weeks and a Certificate in retail pharmacy of 32 weeks. Goal of these programs is to prepare students to work in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, home health pharmacies and mail-order pharmacies. Upon completion you should be able to perform routine tasks like filling prescription, ordering, compounding, ordering, packaging and performing other important pharmacy technician duties. The programs also train students to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 32 Weeks for the Certificate, 48 weeks for the Diploma and 32 Weeks for the Retail Pharmacy Certificate

---

#3. Jefferson Community and Technical College - Louisville

Jefferson Community and Technical College based out of Louisville, KY provides an accessible and safe learning environment. Jefferson is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The purpose of the 3 pharmacy technician programs (certificate of 32 weeks, diploma of 80 weeks and retail pharmacy technician certificate of 32 week) at JCTC is to prepare students for entry positions where they will be assisting a registered pharmacist by performing a variety of duties which includes measuring and mixing drugs, filling prescriptions, maintaining cash register and managing inventory. The programs include laboratory experience and externship under a licensed pharmacist that will provide you real world experience.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 32 Weeks for the Certificate, 80 Weeks for the Diploma and 32 Weeks for the Retail Pharmacy Certificate

---

#4. Sullivan University - Louisville

Sullivan University is a private institution providing career focused higher education for students in Louisville, Lexington and Fort Knox extension. Sullivan offers two pharmacy technician programs for qualifying students, a Diploma program of 12 months duration and an Associate Degree of 18 months duration. Some of the main advantages of these programs include experienced pharmacist who are part of the faculty, a compounding laboratory on campus, mock pharmacies and a drug information center. The programs focus on ensuring real world experience for its students. You will need to complete two rotations of 100 hours each as part of your externship in a community setting and a hospital pharmacy setting. To ensure students pass the PTCE certification exam the college offers extensive review sessions and over 10 practice exams.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 12 months for the Diploma and 18 months for the Associate

---

#5. Ross Medical Education Center - Bowling Green

Ross Medical Education Center offers healthcare education programs in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia. At Bowling Green in the state of Kentucky, Ross Medical Education Center offers a Certificate program in Pharmacy Technology which can be completed in as little as 36 weeks. Experienced instructors of this program will prepare for you a career as a pharmacy technician at a community, retail or hospital pharmacy. You will learn about medical terminology, pharmacy ethics and law, compounding procedures and drug procurement and inventory management.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 36 weeks for the Certificate

---

Ashland Community and Technical College - Ashland

Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) is a two-year public institution offering quality and accessible education in the Ashland area. Ashland is a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. ACTC offers a Certificate in pharmacy technology of 32 weeks, a Diploma of 48 weeks and a Certificate in Retail Pharmacy of 32 weeks. Medical terminology, prescription preparation and drug classification are a few courses which you will be taking as part of your training. The program is a combination of classroom lectures and lab sessions. To gain real world experience you will need to complete an externship at a local pharmacy.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 32 Weeks for the Certificate, 48 Weeks for the Diploma and 32 Weeks for the Retail Pharmacy Certificate

---

Hopkinsville Community College - Hopkinsville

Hopkinsville Community College academic programs will train you for careers which pay well and are highly in demand. The programs are designed keeping in mind local values and the needs of local employers. Hopkinsville community college offers a diploma program that will prepare you to work as a pharmacy technician under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. Coursework includes, pharmacy law, medical terminology, drug classification and medication preparation. You will gain experience in the lab and also complete an externship to gain real world experience.

---

West Kentucky Community and Technical College - Paducah

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a two-year college offering education for students in highly popular careers at its campus in Paducah. To meet the growing demand for pharmacy technicians WKCTC is offering an associate degree program in pharmacy technology. Upon graduation you will be skilled in prescription preparation, inventory, repackaging and compounding and be ready to work under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. You can also sit for the pharmacy technician certification exam.

What are the Requirements to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, to work as a pharmacy technician there are no requirements apart from obtaining your license from the state board. Of course, enrolling into a board approved training program and getting certified up your employment prospects and can even fetch you a higher salary.

Education: The state does not mandate training to become a pharmacy technician. On-the-job training, under the administration of a pharmacist is required. Prominence is placed on on-the-job training and the pharmacist is in charge for overseeing the training.

On the other hand, if you choose to go to a school in Kentucky for formal training, ensure that you pick one that is recognized by ASHP - American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Additionally, you need to settle on whether you wish to attend a certificate course which takes 9 months or an associate degree course which takes 2 years for completion. You must also fill in the FAFSA for financial help. While 13 schools offer the certificate program, only 6 offer the pharmacy technician Associate degree in Kentucky.

Certification: The state does not necessitate certification to work as a pharmacy technician. Conversely, if you get certified, you can elbow out contenders who aren't certified, thus giving you a superior chance at landing a job as well as higher wages. Approved certification exams in Kentucky are PTCB (PTCE) and/or ICPT (ExCPT). Currently, in KY 4,771 pharmacy techs are PTCB certified.

Licensure: Pharmacy Technicians are regulated in Kentucky. You need to register at the State Board of Pharmacy in Kentucky within 30 days from your date of employment. The license must be renewed annually. License expires on March 31 of the renewal year.

Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Kentucky

The job prospects for pharmacy techs in Kentucky are good and are estimated to rise rapidly. There will be a 10.64% job growth between the years 2020 - 2030. Every year 780 jobs will be opening up for pharmacy technicians to grab. The starting salary for a pharmacy technician in Kentucky is $23,450. C and C Pharmacy, Crown Medical Services, CSI Companies, Pharmerica, Medical Solutions, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens and Omnicare provide a host of job openings in Kentucky.

More Pharmacy Technician Programs

Nearby States

Illinois Indiana Missouri Ohio

Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Related Articles