The Online Pharmacy Technician Certification Program
With quality pharmacy technician certification prep, you could be well on your way to an exciting new career.
The Online Pharmacy Technician Certification Program
With quality pharmacy technician certification prep, you could be well on your way to an exciting new career.
Pharmacy Technician Certification
Our Pharmacy Technician Certification Program is online by design so you can study at your own pace, wherever and whenever works for you.
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12 Months of Full Access
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$37,790 Median Salary*
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PTCE and ExCPT Certification Prep
A Few Reasons to Complete Your Pharmacy Technician Certification With CareerStep
Study on your schedule.
24/7 Web access means you can learn whenever and wherever you want, fitting study time in and around your everyday life.
Ask for help anytime.
Our training is online, but you’re never alone. Real people support you every step of the way via phone, live chat, and email.
Get certified.
Our career training provides the knowledge and certification prep materials you need to sit for the PTCE certification exam. Learners are also eligible to sit for the ExCPT exam.
Recognized by PTCB
The Pharmacy Technician Certified Board is the industry's first & most trusted credentialing organization. Our status as a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program ensures your full preparation for the PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam.
Accredited by ASHP/ACPE
Ours is one of the only pharmacy technician certification programs accredited by ASHP/ACPE, which means it meets the high standards set by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
1. Start today.
Begin your training right now.
2. Learn your way.
Complete your training on your own terms.
3. Get certification-ready.
Prepare to take valuable certification exams.
Ready to Dive In?
Sign up online now to start the Pharmacy Technician program.
"*" indicates required fields
Program Details
Clinical hours are required with your pharmacy technician program to get hands-on practice, gain valuable knowledge, and apply your training through exposure in the healthcare field.*
- > 12-Month Access
- > Self-Paced Study
- > Anywhere, Anytime Learning
- > 1:1 (Human) Support
*CareerStep does not guarantee externships. A learner’s placement in and completion of an externship is solely the learner’s responsibility and may be subject to additional requirements, such as a background check and successful completion of a CareerStep course. This is particularly important for learners seeking to complete their externship in Alabama, District of Columbia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Please note that CareerStep will not sign agreements with sites in the above-referenced states or provide evidence of insurance to those sites.
What You’ll Learn
Our pharmacy technician training is thorough. It gives you everything you need to get certification-ready, so you can start working quickly and confidently.
Pharmacology
Learn the pharmaceutical fundamentals: various drugs and their uses, physical effects, and modes of action.
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Master the math that goes into accurately formulating and safely dispensing drugs based on factors like a patient’s age and weight.
Compounding and Prescriptions
Get to know the terminology and methods for compounding a variety of substances and the protocol for filling prescriptions.
Business and Regulatory
Understand the business side of pharmacies as well as the laws, regulations, and standards affecting pharmacy work.
Pharmacy Technician Program FAQs
What does a pharmacy technician do every day?
You’ll be a critical part of keeping the pharmacy running smoothly. A day in your new life will include assisting and working under the guidance of a pharmacist to fill prescriptions, manage patient records, and submit insurance claims, among other things. Over time, you’ll likely take on more responsibilities, possibly offering flu shots or taking a more active role with patient consultations.
How much does a pharmacy technician make a year?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for pharmacy technicians is $37,790 per year.*
What’s the outlook for pharmacy technician jobs?
Currently, skilled pharmacy technicians are in-demand. Over the next decade, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% growth in jobs in the field!*
Where can I find how to study for the pharmacy technician certification exam?
If your program is thorough, you should get all the info you’ll need to pass the test. So hit the books, take solid notes, and cram before the big day. You’ll also find plenty of practice tests online—take advantage of these to get an idea of how you’ll do on the real deal.
Do I have to be certified to work as a pharmacy technician?
Regulations and requirements vary by state. However, our pharmacy technician program ensures that you’ll be ready to start working no matter where you live. (The only exception being Washington state, where our program is not recognized. Please refer to your state’s Board of Pharmacy website for guidelines.) Getting your pharmacy technician certification online is always a plus. It improves your employment opportunities and sets you apart from – and above – other job candidates.
What can you do with a pharmacy technician certification?
If you’ve earned your pharmacy technician certification, there’s a handful of paths you could follow: Retail pharmacy, closed-door pharmacy, compound pharmacy, and hospital pharmacy. You could even become a pharmacy benefit manager—the path you choose all comes down to your strengths and primary interests.
Do I need clinical hours to complete my pharmacy technician training?
Yes, clinical hours are an essential component of your training—particularly as you work towards certification and potential employment. They give you a chance to test your current skill level and put all your new knowledge to work in real-world settings.
CareerStep does not guarantee externships. A learner’s placement in and completion of an externship is solely the learner’s responsibility and may be subject to additional requirements, such as a background check and successful completion of a CareerStep course. This is particularly important for learners seeking to complete their externship in Alabama, District of Columbia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Please note that CareerStep will not sign agreements with sites in the above-referenced states or provide evidence of insurance to those sites.
Why are the background check and drug test required to become a pharmacy technician?
As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be handling medications and providing patient care. For obvious reasons, you can’t be addicted to medications to do the job. Additionally, you cannot have been convicted of a felony or Medicare fraud.
Get Trained Today.
This program includes training, career support, and coaching, along with certification prep materials and exam fees.
$3,899 for full program access
$3,899.00 for eligible MyCAA and ACA learners
Or call now: 800-411-7073 >>Need a Hand With the Fee? We Got Your Back.
Make Small, Easy Payments
We’re flexible and totally committed to working with you to find affordable down and monthly payments.
MyCAA Funding
The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program offers funding for this program for eligible military spouses. This funding can cover a portion of the cost of approved CareerStep courses.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Pharmacy Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed March 25, 2024.
Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.