Pharmacy Technician

Cost and Length

Hybrid Course

Cost: $1,499. Includes 80-hour clinical externship, all textbooks and materials and the PTCB CPhT exam fee.
Length: 2 to 3 months
Registration Opens:

• Fall: Mid-July
• Spring: Early January
• Summer: Mid-April

Online Course

Cost: $1,499
Length: Up to 9 months (6 months access with possible 3-month extension)
Registration: Anytime

CalJOBS

SFSU is an eligible training provider.

Payment Plan

For online courses, Health Ed Today offer 3-, 6- and 10-month payment plans.

Externship

After completing this program, you may choose to participate in an optional volunteer externship with a local organization in this field to gain hands-on experience. An Externship Coordinator will contact you during your online program to arrange placement. Externship sites may require additional documentation such as health records, immunizations, drug screening or background checks.

Prepare for PTCB Certification

Our online or hybrid course prepares you to work as a pharmacy technician in retail, hospital or other pharmacy settings and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.

National and State Certification

This course meets the requirements for national certification exams. If you live or plan to work outside California, check your state’s requirements to be sure this program qualifies.

The Pharmacy Technician Profession

Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a pharmacist. Their main role is filling prescriptions based on doctors’ orders. This includes retrieving the correct drug, measuring the right amount and preparing a prescription label. You may also prepare medications for oral, topical or other uses, and in some settings, mix drugs for intravenous use.

Typical duties include:

• Checking inventory and ordering supplies
• Receiving and verifying shipments
• Assisting customers
• Keeping work areas clean
• Completing insurance forms
• Preparing “bingo cards” for nursing home patients

Employment

Pharmacy technicians work in retail, mail order, home infusion and long-term care pharmacies, as well as hospitals, clinics, pharmacy benefit managers and large industrial settings. Demand for qualified technicians is growing due to new medications, a shortage of pharmacists, national certification standards and an aging population.

Educational Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course, and you can register without a high school diploma. However, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires a high school diploma or GED to take the national certification exam. Externship placements are only available to students who are at least 18 years old.