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Have you ever considered becoming a pharmacy technician? If so, you may be wondering how long it takes to complete the training and become certified. In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of the pharmacy technician program and tell you how long you can expect it to take.
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Introduction
Becoming a pharmacy technician generally takes less time than becoming a registered pharmacist. Although some pharmacy technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma pharmacy techs more often have postsecondary education, such as a certificate or an associate degree in pharmacy technology.
What are the requirements to become a pharmacy technician?
To become a pharmacy technician, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. You will also need to complete a pharmacy technician training program. Some states also require you to pass a certification exam. Once you have all of the necessary qualifications, you can apply for a pharmacy technician job.
Education
There are a few paths you can take to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). The most common way is to complete a formal training program at a vocational school or community college. These programs usually take one to two years to finish and often include an externship component, which allows you to gain hands-on experience in a real pharmacy setting.
In order to be eligible for certification, you must first pass the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE). The PTCE is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and covers topics such as pharmacy laws, medical terminology, pharmacy calculations, and patient safety. Once you pass the PTCE, you will be awarded the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
With a CPhT designation, you will have completed the majority of the requirements necessary to work as a pharmacy technician. However, some states also have additional requirements, such as passing a state-specific exam or completing a certain number of continuing education credits each year. Once you have met all of the requirements for your specific state, you will be able to find employment at a variety of pharmacies, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, and mail-order pharmacies.
Certification
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician, you will need to complete a training program and pass a national certification exam. Most pharmacy technician training programs last between six and twelve weeks, and can be completed either online or in person. Once you have completed your training, you will need to pass the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE), which is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
The length of time it takes to become a pharmacy technician may vary depending on the educational path you choose. Some pharmacy technician programs can be completed in as little as six months, while others may take up to two years. Many employers also require pharmacy technicians to have certification. Keep reading to learn more about the steps to becoming a pharmacy technician.
Education
There are a few different ways to become a pharmacy technician. One is to attend a pharmacy technician program at a community college or vocational school. These programs typically take between one and two years to complete and include both classroom and laboratory instruction. Alternatively, some states allow individuals to complete on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. In this case, it may take up to four years to become fully certified.
Certification
There are a few different ways to become a certified pharmacy technician. The most common way is to complete a pharmacy technician training program offered by a community college, vocational school, hospital, or the military. These programs typically take between six and twelve months to complete and include both classroom and hands-on training.
Some states also require pharmacy technicians to pass a state-specific certification exam in order to be licensed. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is the most commonly used exam and is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To be eligible to take the PTCE, candidates must have completed a formal training program or have at least one year of work experience as a pharmacy technician. The PTCE covers topics such as medications, pharmacy laws and regulations, dispersion methods, and medical terminology.
Once you have passed the PTCE (or another state-specific exam), you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education credits every two years. Many employers will also require you to become certified in CPR and First Aid.
Conclusion
To summarize, it typically takes about two years to complete a pharmacy technician program and become certified. However, many factors can affect the length of time it takes to become a pharmacy technician, such as the type of program you choose and whether you attend classes full- or part-time. You can also become a pharmacy technician through on-the-job training, which may take longer than completing a formal education program. Once you have completed a pharmacy technician program and gained some experience, you can sit for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam to earn your certification.
