Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Missouri

With a population of 6.1 million, Missouri currently has 10,090 employed pharmacy technicians; this number is expected to rise to 10,610 by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of pharmacy technicians in MO is estimated to increase by 4.02%; this is due to an increased demand for prescription drugs and a huge aging populace. According to BLS, the annual average salary of a pharmacy technician is $33,920. Missouri has around 16 schools that offer pharmacy training programs. Out of all these schools we have ranked the Top 5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Missouri based on our methodology, considering factors such as student faculty ratio, graduation rate, quality of education and tuition cost. Read on, to know about the top schools, state requirements and job prospects for pharmacy technicians in Missouri.

5 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Missouri for 2024

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

#1. State Fair Community College . Sedalia & Online

State Fair Community College (SFCC) has an enrolment of 4,742 students with almost 62% female. It is one of the most affordable colleges in the Missouri area with almost 75% students receiving financial aid. SFCC offers 3 programs at it Sedalia campus for aspiring pharmacy technicians; 16-week Skills in Pharmacy Technician, 32 weeks Professional Certificate in Pharmacy Technician and Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Specialist with Emphasis in Pharmacy Technician.

The Skills Certificate prepares students to take the PTCE examination. The Professional Certificate includes everything you will learn in a skills certificate and prepares students to an entry level job in the pharmacy technician field. Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Specialist with Emphasis in Pharmacy Technician course is more comprehensive and will make you ready for a career in retail, hospital and other healthcare settings.

Program : Skills Certificate in Pharmacy Technician, Professional Certificate in Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Specialist with Emphasis in Pharmacy Technician
Program Length: 16 Weeks, 32 weeks & 2 Years

#2. St Louis College of Health Careers . St Louis & Fenton

Known for providing outstanding career focused education St. Louis College of Health Careers (SLCHC) offers educational programs for students at 2 locations in Missouri- St Louis & Fenton. SLCHC offers a 36-week certificate program to prepare you for a career as a pharmacy technician/assistant. The program is designed to ensure students learn the right skills to help a licensed pharmacist in the smooth running of a pharmacy. You will be well versed with filling prescriptions, processing insurance claims, calculations, labelling and record keeping. After graduation students are eligible to sit for the PTCB exam.

Program : Certificate in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
Program Length: 36 weeks

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#3. North Central Missouri College. Trenton

North Central Missouri College is the second oldest publicly-supported community college in the state of Missouri. NCMC offers a 2-year associate degree program in Pharmacy Technology. You have the option of taking the course on campus or online. You need to note that if you opt for the online option for some courses you will need to come to the college. This pharmacy technician program takes you through core topics such as, Basic Medical Terminology, Microcomputer Applications, Medical Ethics and Laws, Pharmacy Calculations and Pharmacy Practice. At the end of the course you will do an internship to apply what all you have learnt during the program to a real world setting.

Program : Associate Degree
Program Length:2 years

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#4. Crowder College . Neosho

Located in the picturesque Ozark region of Southwest Missouri, Crowder College is a community college serving students since 1964. Crowder is well respected and has been constantly ranked as one of the "best Colleges to Work For" by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The college offers a 16-hour certificate program with 2 primary goals; one is to prepare students for a successful career as a pharmacy technician as well as help them pass the Pharmacy Technician certification examination. Students planning to attend this program should note that they qualify for financial aid so please check with the financial aid office. Upon graduation you can find employment at drugstore chains, hospitals, clinics and department stores.

Program : Certificate
Program Length: 16 Hours

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#5. Midwest Institute. Hybrid

Midwest Institute offers 9 heath care programs in the St. Louis area to help students achieve their career goals. The college boasts of a 95% placement rate. Midwest Institute at its North Campus in Earth City, St. Louis offers a 48-week Certificate in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant designed for aspiring students to be employment ready by teaching all the required skills and also graduate with a license and certification to start work as a pharmacy technician. The program is an online hybrid format. All your classes are via online and the lab work is on campus. The program is a combination of classroom lectures and hands on training.

Program : Certificate in Pharmacy Technician/Assistant
Program Length:48 weeks

Programs Currently on Hold or Discontinued

Vatterott College . Berkeley & Sunset Hills (Online)

Vatterott College founded in 1969, is a for-profit college, offering courses in the in-demand fields of business, medical, trades and more. Vatterott offers an associate degree in Pharmacy Technology which takes 90 weeks to complete. The curriculum includes theory, lab work and around 108 credit hours of externship at a pharmacy. By the end of this program you will be able to take up a job as an entry level pharmacy technician working under a licensed pharmacist and performing duties which would include filling prescriptions, dispensing medications, interacting with customers, processing insurance and inventory management.

Program : Associate's degree in Pharmacy Technician
Program Length: 90 Weeks

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

Pharmacy techs in Missouri are regulated; to work in Missouri, registration with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy and obtaining a license are necessary. Certification as well as training is not mandatory.

Education: There is no prior training that is required to practice as a pharmacy technician in Missouri, once you've received your license you are free to commence work. Most pharmacists provide a few weeks of on-the-job training under their administration.

Conversely, experts recommend getting formal training; in order to do that, you must comply with the following:

Step 1: Obtain a high school diploma or GED.

Step 2: Complete one of the following requirements:

Complete a pharmacy technician diploma program OR Earn an associate degree in Pharmacy Technology

Certification: Certification is not mandatory. However, national certification makes you a more desirable applicant for employment, chiefly by the national pharmacy chains. Being certified, accelerates the process of finding a job, as well as promises you a higher salary compared to those who haven't been certified.

The PTCB certification is approved by the state board of Missouri.

Licensure: You need to acquire a license before initiating work as a pharmacy technician. The following are the pre-requisites for obtaining a license in Missouri:

• Submit to finger printing and a criminal background evaluation.

• Submit a written application to become registered.

• Submit a $35 fee.

• Include a passport type photo.

• Have the application notarized.

Missouri does not need license renewal.

Choosing the Right Pharmacy Technician School in Missouri

It is prudent that you explore all the aspects of a program and gauge what is suitable for you.

The following information will help bring clarity and narrow down your options:

Accreditation: Accreditation ensures that a school adheres to prescribed legal and professional standards; thus, it is very vital that you select a pharmacy technician program that is recognized by a nationally certified agency such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP).

Type of Program: Out of the 16 schools offering pharmacy technician training in Missouri, 10 schools offer an associate degree program of two years and 11 schools offer a certificate/diploma program of 9 months. Looking into the fee arrangement of each program and the time-span of the course, you can decide on the kind of curriculum that is best-suited for you as well as most fitting to your work goals.

Financial Aid: Every year, 15 million students apply for financial help; you need to fill in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists FAFSA). By completing it, you apply to the U.S. Department of Education, the biggest source of financial in America. Thereafter, your college will assess whether you are eligible for the loan/grant.

Admission Requirements For Pharmacy Technician Schools in Missouri

Admission requirements for most pharmacy technician schools in MO are pretty much similar. Let us take a look at the admission requirements of the North Central Missouri College:

• Submit an application for admission

• Submit an official copy of a high school transcript or GED certificate.

• Submit a copy of ACT, SAT or Compass scores.

• Apply for financial aid

• Register for Orientation

Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Missouri

The average salary of a pharmacy technician per year in Missouri is $33,920. Employment is likely to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2030. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, projects a whopping 4.02% growth rate for pharmacy tech jobs in the state of Missouri.

CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, U.S. Army, Magellan Health Services, CSI Companies, Foundation Care Pharmacy, Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy, University of Missouri Health System, Wal-Mart, Omnicare, Walgreens and CVS Health recruit pharmacy technicians in Missouri.

More Pharmacy Technician Programs

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