What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

State rules regulating pharmacy technicians vary. In general, students must pass an exam or complete a training program to work. 

Employers typically require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some look for candidates who have completed an accredited program. Others provide in-depth, on-the-job training. 

Community colleges and technical schools offer pharmacy technology programs that last from nine months to two years. Courses may include drug interactions, medical abbreviations, pharmacy law, pharmacy math and ethics.

Employers who train techs in-house may cover these areas and may pay for techs to earn certification. 

To learn more, see How To Become A Pharmacy Technician

Regardless of which path you choose, certification is worthwhile. Earning certification may require passing an exam and renewing it will require earning continuing education credits.

Two organizations provide national certification, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). 

Some states require pharmacy techs to be licensed. To find out what’s required in your state, try SkillPointe’s licensing tool below or consult the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies’ list of state boards, which includes links to each state Board of Pharmacy website.

Job growth for techs is steady. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts about 31,700 openings per year between 2020 and 2030. The BLS also suggests a surprising reason for this trend: Pharmacists are increasingly being pulled away to do patient care, and pharmacy techs must fill in the gaps.

Successful pharmacy technicians tend to share these traits: 

• Excellent customer service skills
• Detail-oriented
• Excellent listening skills
• Strong math skills
• Organized