Career guide

How to become a Pharmacy Technician

Prepare and dispense medications under a pharmacist in retail, hospital and mail-order pharmacies. Much of the training can be done online.

Training time
3–12 months depending on program and state
Certification
PTCB's PTCE or NHA's ExCPT
Median pay
$45,750 per year
BLS, May 2025
Where you'll work
Retail pharmacies, hospitals, mail-order and specialty pharmacies
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Featured program

Health Tech Associates

Online Pharmacy Technician

Length
132 hours over 16 weeks
Format
100% online, self-paced
In person
None
Tuition
$2,200 or monthly payments
Prepares for
PTCE (PTCB)
Experience needed
None

Covers pharmacology, pharmacy law, calculations, prescription processing, billing and compounding.

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What a Pharmacy Tech does

  • Measure, count and label prescriptions
  • Process insurance claims and refills
  • Manage inventory and controlled-substance logs
  • Answer customer questions that don't need a pharmacist

Steps to get started

  1. Pick a state-approved or accredited program. Check your state's requirements first; they differ.
  2. Complete classroom (often online) and hands-on training.
  3. Pass the certification exam: PTCB's PTCE or NHA's ExCPT.
  4. Apply for jobs. Many employers hire right out of training.

See requirements by state.

Where it can lead

Techs can specialize in sterile compounding, hospital pharmacy or pharmacy informatics.

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Frequently asked questions

Do pharmacy technicians need certification?

It depends on the state. Most states require you to register or be licensed with the state board of pharmacy, and many require or prefer national certification (PTCE or ExCPT).

Can I become a pharmacy technician online?

Yes. Many programs are mostly or fully online, often with an in-person externship at a pharmacy.

What's the difference between the PTCE and ExCPT?

The PTCE is given by PTCB and the ExCPT by NHA. Both lead to the CPhT credential and are accepted in most states; confirm what your state board accepts.

How long does pharmacy technician training take?

Programs range from about 3 months to a year depending on hours, format and whether an externship is included.

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