Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Utah

Pharmacy Technician
With a population of 3,337,975, Utah's healthcare needs are rising and are required to be catered to. The number of pharmacies in the state has consequently increased in the recent years, creating a demand for pharmacy technicians. There are currently 4,440 pharmacy technician working in Utah, drawing an average annual salary of $40,110, which is more than the national average. Utah has 12 schools providing pharmacy technician training. To zero down the best choices, we have ranked Top 5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Utah, based on our methodology, considering factors, such as graduation rate, student faculty ratio and tuition cost. Read on, to know about the top schools, state requirements and job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Utah.

5 Best ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Utah for 2024

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

#1. Mountainland Technical College - Lehi and Spanish Fork

Mountainland Technical College with its main campus located in Lehi, Utah offers more than 40 training programs and has been named one of the fastest growing campus within the Utah College of Applied Technology system. To help students gain an entry level footing as a pharmacy technician Mountainland technical offers a certificate program in pharmacy technology of 600 hours at its Lehi and Spanish Fork location. The program is broken down into 2 parts. 400 hours of classroom lectures and lab training. 200 hours of externship at a local pharmacy to gain real time experience. You will work under a licensed pharmacist and assist him in the day to tasks involved in running a pharmacy.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type Certificate
Program Length: 600 Hours

#2. Dixie Technical College - St. George

Dixie Technical College located in St. George is well known across the state of Utah for its skill based and competency training programs. Dixie Tech offers one of the leading pharmacy technician programs in Utah which can be completed in 600 hours and leads to a certificate in pharmacy technology. The course also includes a 180-hour externship. The college has partnered with PioneerRx Pharmacy Software to ensure students learn the daily situations in a real pharmacy. Upon graduation students can find employment in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and other health care settings.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type Certificate
Program Length: 600 Hours


#3. Salt Lake City Community College - West Jordan,Salt Lake City & West Valley City

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) located at 10 different locations in Utah serves more than 60,000 students annually making it the largest college in the state of Utah. The college is known for its flexible scheduling and exceptional faculty. The one-year certificate program at SLCC must be completed in 3 consecutive semesters and also requires a 180 hour on the job training as per Utah state laws. You will be working at a local pharmacy during your last semester and gain valuable experience. Coursework includes medical terminology, pharmacology, calculations, sterile and non-sterile compounding and pharmacy law. The college also has a very efficient job placement service that will help you with resumes reviews and mock interviews.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type Certificate
Program Length: 1 Year


#4. JATC North Pharmacy Tech Program - West Jordan & Riverton

Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers is a reputed college with campuses in West Jordan & Riverton providing high quality educational training programs. Jordan Academy offers a 600-hour certificate program in pharmacy technology to prepare students for entry level jobs at community/hospital pharmacies. The program is broken down into 340 hours of classroom lectures, 80 hours of lab work and 180 hours of on-site externship. You will learn all the skills and knowledge required to work efficiently as a pharmacy technician under a licensed pharmacist. At the end of the course you will be able to sit and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board examination.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type Certificate
Program Length: 600 Hours


#5. Career Step, LLC - Lehi

Career Step is a leading provider of career-centric healthcare programs. Career Step offers an online certificate program in Pharmacy Technology. By enrolling in this program, you can get trained and start working in as little as four months. The program includes 400 hours of curriculum and 200 hours of real world experience at Walgreens or CVS. To help you complete the lab exercises you will receive consultation via skype with a pharmacy expert. Upon graduation you can work in a pharmacy at a health care setting of your choice.

Accreditation: ASHP
Program Type Certificate (Online)
Program Length: 600 Hours



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

In Utah, to work as a pharmacy technician, you are required to complete a pharmacy technician training program from a board approved school, get your certification and apply to the Utah State Board of Pharmacy for a license.

Registration/Licensure RequiredYes
Training RequiredYes
Certification Required Yes
Pharmacy Technician to Pharmacist ratioN/A
Continuing Education Required Yes
Certification Maintenance Required No
(source: ptcb.org)

Education: Pharmacy technicians in Utah are required to complete a board approved training program. Most training programs in the state have 180 hours of practical on-the-job training which is a pre-requisite to obtain your license from the state board. There are 12 schools that offer pharmacy technician programs in Utah, out which 7 are ASHP accredited. ASHP accredited schools should be preferred as you are assured of quality education.

Certification: To work as a pharmacy technician, Utah State Board requires you to pass the certification exam. Both PTCB and ExCPT are approved certifications in the state. There are currently 4,120 PTCB certified pharmacy technician in Utah.

Licensure: Utah regulates its pharmacy technicians. You need to apply to the Utah State Board of Pharmacy with an application fee of $95. Online applications are accepted as well. You are required to complete at least 180 hours of practical training supervised by a licensed pharmacist. The practical training is usually part of the pharmacy technician program as an externship/internship component.


Factors to Keep in Mind While Selecting a Pharmacy Technician Program

Affordability: Tuition cost is one of the most important factors you should consider before you enroll for any program. Affordability without compromising on the quality of education is what you should be looking for. Some programs might have hidden costs attached which you should look into as well. Further on, fill in the FAFSA and apply for financial aid.

Program Length: Pharmacy Technician programs vary by length and curriculum. While a Certificate takes 9 months to complete, an Associate Degree takes 2 years to complete. The Certificate has a coursework which prepares you to take up an entry level pharmacy technician job, whereas when you opt for the Associate, the curriculum will be comprehensive and you can very well handle advanced pharmacy technician duties. So, you must opt for a program which falls in line with your career aspiration.

Accreditation: ASHP is the accreditation agency for pharmacy technician programs in the country. It is advisable to pick a training program which is ASHP accredited.


Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Utah

The average annual salary of a pharmacy technician in Utah is $40,110. The employment growth rate for pharmacy technicians in Utah is projected to be one of the fastest in the country, at a whopping 21.79% through 2020 to 2030. Advances in pharmaceutical research, and a larger dependency on prescription drugs leads to an increased demand in pharmacy technicians managing the many pharmacies springing up in the state. Walgreens, Harmons, CVS, Red Rock Pharmacy, Magellan Health, Intermountain Healthcare, Wal-mart and Shopko are the prominent employers of pharmacy technicians in the Beehive State.

Pharmacy Technicians Currently Working in UT 10 Year Job GrowthAnnual Vacancies Average Starting Salary Average Annual Salary
20202030% Growth
4,4404,3605,31021.79%430$29,280$40,110


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