Pharmacy technicians attain licensure through individual states' board of pharmacy. While states have different licensure requirements, most require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED, pass a criminal background check and pay a licensure fee. The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board are private licensing organizations.
Course work includes classes in pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, medical terminology and ethics. Specialized courses include intravenous fluids, chemotherapy, and sterile products. Students typically work an internship with rotations at different pharmacy settings, such as retail stores, such as CVS and Walgreens, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Cost varies depending on the program length and offering institution, with public community colleges being the least expensive and private institutions being the most expensive. Specialized certification and/or licensure costs more as well, ranging from $250 to $1000.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for licensed pharmacy technicians are expected to increase faster than average because of the increasing elderly population and the popularity of prescription medication. The number of pharmacy technician positions is predicted to increase by 31 percent from 2008 to 2018.