How Long it Takes to Become a Pharmacy Technician
The length of time it takes to become a pharmacy technician can vary depending on the education and training path chosen.
Education and Training
- Certificate or diploma programs: Pharmacy technician certificate or diploma programs typically take 6-12 months to complete. These programs usually require students to complete between 15-30 credit hours of coursework, including classroom instruction and practical training.
- Associate degree programs: Pharmacy technician associate degree programs take around two years to complete. These programs require students to complete 60-90 credit hours of coursework, which includes general education courses in addition to pharmacy technician courses. Associate degree programs may also include clinical rotations or internships.
- On-the-job training: In some cases, pharmacy technicians may receive on-the-job training instead of formal education. This training could take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the employer’s training program.
- Continuing education: Once you become a pharmacy technician, you may need to complete continuing education requirements to maintain your certification or licensure. These requirements vary by state and certification organization but typically involve completing a certain number of hours of continuing education every two years.
The length of time it takes to complete pharmacy technician education and training can vary depending on the program, the student’s schedule, and the availability of clinical rotations or internships.
Certification
- Exam preparation: Before taking the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), you may need to prepare for the exam. This could involve studying the exam content, taking practice tests, and reviewing study materials. The length of exam preparation varies depending on the individual and their familiarity with the exam content.
- Certification exam: The certification exam itself takes around two hours to complete. The PTCE consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, and the ExCPT consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exams test your knowledge of pharmacy law, pharmacology, medication safety, and other topics related to pharmacy technician practice.
- Certification maintenance: Once you become certified as a pharmacy technician, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education requirements. The length of time it takes to complete continuing education requirements varies by state and certification organization but typically involves completing a certain number of hours of continuing education every two years.
Overall, the length of time it takes to become certified as a pharmacy technician depends on how long it takes to prepare for the certification exam and the exam’s availability. Some individuals may be able to take the exam immediately after completing their pharmacy technician program, while others may need to wait a few weeks or months to schedule the exam. After becoming certified, you will need to complete continuing education requirements to maintain your certification.
Licensure
Eligibility requirements: Before applying for licensure as a pharmacy technician, you must meet the eligibility requirements in your state or country. This may include completing an accredited pharmacy technician program, passing a certification exam, or meeting certain education and training requirements.
Application process: The application process for pharmacy technician licensure varies by state or country. You will need to submit an application, pay a fee, and provide documentation of your eligibility. The length of time it takes to complete the application process depends on the requirements of your state or country.
Exam: Some states require pharmacy technicians to pass an exam before becoming licensed. The exam may be the same as the certification exam or a separate exam specific to your state or country. The length of time it takes to schedule and complete the exam varies depending on the availability of testing sites and the frequency of exam administrations.
License maintenance: Once you become licensed as a pharmacy technician, you will need to maintain your license by completing continuing education requirements. The length of time it takes to complete continuing education requirements varies by state and typically involves completing a certain number of hours of continuing education every two years.
Overall, the length of time it takes to become licensed as a pharmacy technician depends on the eligibility requirements of your state or country, the length of the application process, the availability of the exam, and the time required to complete continuing education requirements. It can take several weeks to months to become licensed as a pharmacy technician.