Top Online Pharmacy Technician Programs
A pharmacy technician is an entry-level healthcare professional who works alongside pharmacists and in retail pharmacies in locations such as CVS, Target, or Walmart. However, these professionals also work closely with doctors and nurses in hospitals, medical centers, and outpatient facilities.
We Found The Following Schools with Online Pharmacy Technician Programs
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Fast Facts About Online Pharmacy Technician Programs |
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Salary |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average pharmacy technician's salary is $40,300 annually or $19.37 per hour. |
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Program length |
6 months - 2 years |
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Requirements |
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What is an Online Pharmacy Technician Program?
A pharmacy technician program is an educational pathway for aspiring pharmacy tech’s to begin their careers. Advances in technology have made it possible for pharmacy technician students to complete their coursework completely online from the comfort of their own homes.
The training, certifications, licensing requirements, and even scope of practice for pharmacy techs vary per state. However, students must typically have a high-school diploma or GED equivalent to apply. Students must also complete a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) approved program and pass their pharmacy tech certification exam (CPhT).
CPhT certification is not required to start working as a pharmacy tech in some states. However, most employers prefer or require it. In addition, certification lets management and staff know you have the knowledge and dedication for effective patient care and medication safety.
Before applying to a pharmacy tech school, students must verify that the program is a PTCB-recognized education training program.
Education programs accredited by the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), are also accepted as PTCB-recognized.
Remember that although online pharmacy tech program coursework is 100% online, externship experience must be completed in person.
Top 10 Online Pharmacy Technician Programs
Choosing an online pharmacy technician program is a big decision that requires careful consideration. That's why Nurse.org created this list of the best online pharmacy technician programs.
We consider many factors in our rankings, such as:
- Accreditation
- Graduation rates
- Student-faculty ratio
- Available courses
- Tuition
- Program length
1. Minnesota State College Southeast - Red Wing, MN
Minnesota State College Southeast offers an online pharmacy tech program that students can start anytime. The course is 100% online and prepares students for the PTCB National Certification exam. It also helps them complete an externship with a pharmacy chain. This program also includes a voucher that covers the fee for the exam.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (877) 853-8324
- Email: Contact Page
2. San Francisco State University - San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University offers students a pathway to becoming pharmacy technicians at their own pace and schedule. The school website reports that their pharmacy technician online course includes interactive learning modules, 24/7 mentoring, learning exercises, labs, and a student portal with career resources.
Additional benefits of the program include online healthcare content to supplement each course, animated simulations, pre- and post-assessments, and online performance tracking. This program also includes an optional 80-hour clinical externship.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (415) 405-7700
- Email: sfsucel@sfsu.edu
3. Penn Foster - Scottsdale AZ
Penn Foster's pharmacy technician career diploma helps prepare students to sit for certification exams like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Students can complete their coursework at their own pace in as little as three months.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (800) 275-4410
- Email: Contact Form
We Found The Following Schools with Online Pharmacy Technician Programs
4. Ashworth College - Norcross, GA
Ashwood College has a partnership with Walgreens and CVS/Pharmacy nationwide. Students can complete their pharmacy technician externship at a location near them to receive hands-on pharmacy technician training. However, if there isn’t a Walgreens or CVS nearby, students also have the option to arrange an externship experience at a local pharmacy.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (800) 957-5412
- Email: Contact Form
5. University of Anchorage - Anchorage, AK
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (907) 786-4346
- Email: uaa_pharmacytech@alaska.edu
6. San Diego State University, Global Campus
San Diego State University offers an online pharmacy technician program that students can start anytime. Completing this online course prepares students for the PTCB National Certification exam. Students can also apply for a 100+ hour externship at a national pharmacy chain.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (619) 594-5821
- Email: globalcampus@sdsu.edu
7. Louisiana State University - Eunice, LA
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (337) 550-1390
- Email: continuinged@lsue.edu
8. Columbia State Community College - Columbia, TN
Columbia State Community College offers a comprehensive 50-hour online program to help students prepare to work as pharmacy technicians in a retail or other pharmacy setting and to take the PTCB exam. This program offers a self-directed curriculum that includes online skills demonstrations and simulations. The university website reports that evaluation methods include quizzes and exams, skills demonstrations, learner-centered activities, and an externship.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (931) 540-2688
- Email: WorkforceDev@ColumbiaState.edu
9. Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, NC
This university offers pharmacy technician coursework that can be completed in-person, in a hybrid format, or 100% online, depending on the student's preferences. The online coursework utilizes the learning management system (LMS) model for content delivery. The coursework consists of 96 hours of training, and graduates are eligible to sit for the PTCB certification exam.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (336) 334-4822
- Email: labridges@gtcc.edu
10. Mississippi State University - Oxford, MS
Successful course completion awards students a pharmacy technician certificate of completion from Mississippi State University. Students also receive an exam voucher to sit for the national certification exam. Enrollment is open throughout the year, and students can start their education with online coursework when it is convenient for them.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (662) 325-5002
- Email: Contact Form
