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Is an Online Certificate Right for You?
Online Certificate

Pharmacy Technician

Start a Career as a Pharmacy Technician

2-4 Months*

To Complete

8-10 Hours

Weekly Commitment

Anytime

Enrollment

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy technicians are critical members of the healthcare team and are essential to providing patients with safe and effective medications. They support Pharmacists in providing consumers with the best possible pharmaceutical care.

If you’re organized, enjoy helping others, and are interested in a professional pharmaceutical career, St. Norbert College’s Pharmacy Technician program could be an excellent opportunity for you.

Becoming a Qualified Pharmacy Technician

The 100% online Pharmacy Technician program from St. Norbert College will prepare you to enter the pharmacy field and take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam.

You will learn

Pharmacy Terminology

Reading and Interpreting Prescriptions

Defining Generic and Brand Names Drugs

Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree or a high school diploma
  • Web browser with internet connection
  • Course registration & payment

Provided Courseroom Materials

  • Expert-led video based training
  • Competency assessments
  • National Certification exam fees (Certified Pharmacy Technician exam)

Is a Career as a Pharmacy Technician Right for You?

Take the St. Norbert College “Pharmacy Technician Certificate Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes just 3 minutes to complete and provides you with a personalized report to find out if a short-term online certificate program is right for you. The report identifies your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

What You’ll Learn in the Pharmacy Technician Program

After completing the Pharmacy Technician program, learners will be able to:

  • Define the difference between retail and hospital pharmacy settings
  • Demonstrate ethical conduct in all duties performed
  • Explain the laws that govern pharmacy, whether federal or state mandated
  • Interpret physician orders and prescriptions
  • Prepare and explain the administration of medications
  • Explain the pharmacology of medications in relation to the anatomy affected
  • Perform pharmaceutical calculations
  • Communicate effectively with patients and medical professionals
  • Recognize the importance of confidentiality of all patient information
  • Process insurance billing and/or collect payments
  • Control inventory
  • Identify the requirements, behaviors, characteristics and career options for the pharmacy technician
  • Describe the commonly used drug reference resources including the major reason for use and the organization
  • Describe the drugs in the current Top 200 Drug List including brand and generic name, drug classification and uses

Sample Courses

  • Pharmacy Laws and Ethics
  • Dosage Formulations and Routes of Administration
  • Retail Pharmacy
  • Biopharmaceuticals

What Can You Do with a Pharmacy Technician Certificate?

This high demand for pharmacy technicians is the result of a multitude of factors including the constant availability of new drugs, the national shortage of registered pharmacists, the establishment of certified pharmacy technicians and the aging population.

Careers to Explore

Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist in hospitals, home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies and other healthcare settings.

As a graduate, you may be eligible for these careers:
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Pharmacy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Tech Specialist
  • Pharmacy Billing Specialist
  • Pharmacy Clerk

High Demand for Pharmacy Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations**. Feel confident you’re getting relevant skills to enter an in-demand career with plenty of opportunities.

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.

Get Certified as a Pharmacy Technician and Stand Out to Employers

Upon successful completion of your Pharmacy Technician courses, you will be prepared to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exams essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field, including:
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
National Workforce Career Association (NWCA)
Pharmacy Technician Associate Certification (PTAC)
You will receive a complimentary voucher for these certification exams.

How Much Does a Pharmacy Technician Certificate Cost?

$4,000
Total Tuition
Connect with an admissions counselor to explore payment plans available to you.
Payment Plan Details: Enrollment requires a minimum deposit of $500. Installment payments will begin 30 days after the course start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The CPhT certification validates the skills and knowledge needed to perform pharmacy technician duties, such as preparing prescriptions and managing pharmacy inventory.

To become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, complete a pharmacy technician training program, pass the PTCB or NHA certification exam, and meet your state’s licensing requirements.

The CPhT program covers topics like pharmacology, medication safety, pharmacy law, dosage calculations and inventory management to prepare students for certification and pharmacy work.

Earning a CPhT certification can improve job prospects, increase earning potential and provide opportunities to work in a variety of pharmacy settings, including hospitals and retail pharmacies.

Essential skills for a Pharmacy Technician include strong attention to detail, knowledge of medication handling, understanding of pharmacy software, customer service and effective communication.

The CPhT certification recognizes your technical skills, making you eligible for higher-level roles in pharmacies, including potential supervisory or specialized positions.

Most CPhT programs require a high school diploma or GED and some may require background checks or specific healthcare-related experience depending on the institution’s requirements.

Accreditation & Licensed Certifying Bodies

Our certificate programs are accredited by reputable institutions recognized in the industry. We partner with accredited organizations to ensure the quality and validity of our certifications.
National Healthcareer Association
National Healthcareer Association

Is a Rewarding Career as a Pharmacy Technician Right for You? Get More Info…

At St. Norbert College, you can gain the skills to make a positive impact while advancing your career. Get the details and see how St. Norbert College can help you move forward.
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*Program length when completed in normal time.
**https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-6
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