Pharmacy Technician Schools Currently Accepting Applicants in Oregon
Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Oregon

5 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon for 2025
(Following is a list of schools offering the best pharmacy technician programs in Oregon)
#1. Chemeketa Community College - Salem

Chemeketa Community College is a community college located in Salem, Oregon. The college also has education centers in Dallas, Brooks, and Woodburn, and Eola. With a humble beginning in 1952, offering nursing and electronics courses for the unemployed, today Chemeketa serves about 30,000 students every year offering a wide array of programs. The college is renowned for its free tuition to thousands for students and also low-cost textbooks. At Chemeketa, based on your budget and needs you can pursue a 1-year certificate in Pharmacy Technician or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Pharmacy Management. You will gain skills and knowledge to enter the field as an entry level pharmacy technician through a combination of classroom lectures and lab work. Upon successful completion of the program you will be able to find employment in community pharmacies, clinics and hospital pharmacies.
By pursuing the certificate program, you will be able to:
• Compound, prepare and dispense medications
• Maintain patient records
• Manage inventory in the pharmacy
By pursuing the Associate degree program, you will be able to:
• Manage a pharmacy as a leader
• Implement accounting techniques to manage inventory and contain costs
• Ensure the pharmacy adheres to local state laws and regulatory compliance
Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type: Certificate, Associate Degree
Program Length: 1 Year, 2 years
#2. Central Oregon Community College - Mesa

Program Type: Certificate (Hybrid & Online)
Program Length: 9 Months
#3. Carrington College - Mesa

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type: Certificate, Associate Degree
Program Length: 9 Months, Less than 2 Years
#4. Southwestern Oregon Community College - (Online)

With a scenic campus located within 2 miles of the Pacific Ocean, Southwestern Oregon Community College with its dedicated team of faculty wants to positively impact the lives of student by providing quality education. The 1-year online certificate in Pharmacy Technology program will prepare you to assist the pharmacist and fully discharge your duties as a pharmacy tech in a retail or hospital pharmacy. Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to take the PTCB examination.
Program Type: Certificate
Program Length: 1 Year
#5. Rogue Community College - Grants Pass, Medford, White City & the Illinois Valley

Program Type: Certificate
Program Length: 33 Weeks
What are the Requirements to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon?
To work as a pharmacy technician in Oregon, you need to be registered with the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy. The state additionally mandates certification within a year of registration in order to continue working as a pharmacy technician. While formal education is not a pre-requisite it will make it simple for you to take and pass the certification exam.
Registration/Licensure Required | Yes |
Training Required | Optional |
Certification Required | Yes |
Pharmacy Technician to Pharmacist ratio | N/A |
Continuing Education Required | Yes |
Certification Maintenance Required | No |
(source: ptcb.org) |
Education: The basic educational requirement to become a pharmacy technician in Oregon is a high school diploma or GED. While enrolling into a pharmacy technician school is not a mandate, the knowledge and skills you gain will help you clear the PTCB and ExCPT certification exam. Graduating from a pharmacy technician school will also give you an edge in the job market as employers usually prefer trained pharmacy technicians. There 8 pharmacy technician schools in Oregon, out of which only 3 are ASHP accredited.
Certification: Certification is a mandate in the state of Oregon. PTCB and ExCPT are approved certifications in the state. There are currently 3,517 PTCB certified Pharmacy techs in Oregon.
Licensure: To work as a pharmacy technician in Oregon you are required to register with the state board, the pre-requisite being 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED. Now, there are two types of registrations which you will need to do; one as a trainee and the other as a certified pharmacy technician. Before you start work you will require obtaining a license as a Pharmacy Technician (trainee). This allows you more than a year, but not more than two years to take and pass the certification exam and become nationally certified and then apply for the Certified Oregon Pharmacy technician license.
Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting a Pharmacy Technician Program
Affordability: Affordability of a pharmacy technician program is one of the most important factors you should consider before you enroll. Affordability without compromising on the quality of education is what you should be looking at. Ensure you inquire if there are any hidden costs attached and other inclusive and exclusive charges you might incur. Further on, fill in the FAFSA and apply for financial aid.
Program Length: Depending on your career goals, decide on which program will suit you best. While a Certificate is shorter in duration, the coursework you learn may not be comprehensive. An associate on the other hand will take you through an intensive coursework, however will take twice the time period to complete. If entry level pharmacy tech jobs are what you aspire then a Certificate of Diploma should be the perfect bet, whereas, for advanced pharmacy positions enrolling for an Associate program will be prudent.
Accreditation: Experts advise you graduate from an ASHP accredited pharmacy technician program. There 3 ASHP pharmacy technician schools in Oregon.
Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Oregon
The BLS projects promising job prospects for pharmacy technicians in Oregon with a growth rate of 10.64% through 2020 to 2030. While working in a clinical setting in Salem or Yuba City will fetch you the highest salaries in the state, on an average you can expect to take home an annual income of $45,240. Albertsons Companies, RPh on the Go, Rite Aid,Fred Meyer , Priority Rx Staffing , Oregon Health & Science University , CVS Health Retail, Providence Health & Services, WALGREENS, Bi-Mart Corporation,Genoa Healthcare , CareerStaff RX, CVS Health, Consonus Pharmacy and Rx relief are the prominent pharmacy technician employers in the state.
Pharmacy Technicians Currently Working in OR | 10 Year Job Growth | Annual Vacancies | Average Starting Salary | Average Annual Salary | ||
2020 | 2030 | % Growth | ||||
4,360 | 5,170 | 5,720 | 10.64% | 460 | $35,690 | $45,240 |
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