Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technician certification course with 80-hour clinical externship is offered as an in-person/online hybrid course in Downtown San Francisco/online or as a self-paced online course. Prepare to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail or other pharmacy setting.

Pharmacist in a lab coat and protective eyewear

In-Person/Online Hybrid Course

Take the course in Downtown San Francisco and online

Pharmacist writing and using a laptop

Self-Paced Online Course

Take the course online, on your schedule

Pharmacy technician by the shelves

Get Started

How to start taking Pharmacy Technician classes

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About the Pharmacy Tech Program

Prepare for PTCB Certification

Our comprehensive online or in-person course will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail or other pharmacy setting and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.

The Pharmacy Technician Profession

Pharmacy Technicians work under the direction of a pharmacist. Their main responsibility is filling prescriptions according to doctors' orders.

Pharmacy Technicians prepare medications for dispensing to patients. This generally includes retrieving drugs in the correct dosage form and strength, measuring the appropriate amount of drug and producing a prescription label. Pharmacy Technicians work with drugs to be administered orally, topically, for the eye, nose etc. Depending upon the practice setting, a Pharmacy Technician is also involved in the admixture of drugs for intravenous use.

Other duties include:

  • checking inventories and ordering supplies
  • receiving and checking in supplies
  • assisting customers
  • keeping pharmacy work areas clean
  • completing insurance forms
  • preparing "bingo cards" for nursing home patients

Employment

Pharmacy Technicians may work in retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, home infusion pharmacies, long term care facilities, hospitals, clinics, pharmacy benefit managers and large industrial complexes. This high demand is the result of the constant availability of new drugs, the national shortage of registered pharmacists, the establishment of certified pharmacy technicians and the aging population. Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 4% by 2029.

Cost and Length

In-Person/Hybrid Pharmacy Technician Course
Cost: $1,499 (Includes 80-hour clinical externship, all textbooks and materials, and PTCB CPhT exam fee)
Length: 2 - 3 Months
When to Start: Fall, Spring, Summer

Self-Paced Online Pharmacy Technician Course
Cost: $1,499
Length: Up to 9 months (6 months access with possible 3-month extension)
When to Start: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

 

CalJOBS

CalJOBS connects dislocated workers with employment training opportunities. SF State is an eligible training provider.

 

Payment Plan

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

Educational Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course, and you may register without a high school diploma. However, you will need a high school diploma or GED in order to take the national certification exam through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Additionally, our partners are unable to provide externship placements to students under 18 years old.

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