How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Michigan
Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician? If so, you’re not alone. Pharmacy technicians are in high demand throughout the country, and many have found it to be a fulfilling career that allows them to earn a competitive salary while helping others.
Still, you should enter this profession fully informed about what will be required of you on a professional level. If you’re wondering how to become a pharmacy technician in Michigan, this guide will tell you what you need to know to start on a path to this exciting career.
What Are the Education Requirements?
In Michigan, you must be 18 or older and hold a high school diploma or GED to practice as a pharmacy technician. You do not need a degree to become a Michigan-based pharmacy tech. However, you must be able to furnish supporting documents as proof that you have earned your high school diploma or GED.
You must also complete a training program approved by the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing (which may include an employer-based program) or become nationally certified by taking an exam given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.
What Are the Certifications and Licensure Required?
In addition to being 18 years old and having a high school diploma or GED, the basic requirements for those learning how to become a pharmacy technician in Michigan include:
- Completion of an FBI background check (including fingerprinting)
- Completion of a good moral character questionnaire
- Completion of human trafficking and implicit bias training courses
- A Social Security number
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy licensure
If you have not completed a formal board-approved training program, you must become nationally certified through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
These organizations offer certification exams covering medication names and classifications, therapeutic equivalence, drug interactions and contraindications, dosing, stability, side effects, compounding, and storage.
Obtaining your license is the first step to a rewarding career as a Michigan pharmacy technician. You will need continuing education courses to keep working in the profession. Before applying for license renewal every two years, you will be required to furnish proof of continuing education (CE) coursework that includes the following:
- 1 hour of pain and symptom management courses
- 1 hour of patient safety courses
- 1 hour of pharmacy ethics and jurisprudence
- 5 hours of CE with live instruction and direct faculty interaction
You cannot complete more than 12 of your 20 hours in one day, so plan your CE carefully so that you are not completing your coursework at the last minute.
Are Training or Internships Required?
According to Michigan guidelines for pharmacy technician licensing, you can either complete a formal board-approved training program or demonstrate competency by completing a certification examination through the NHA or PTCB.
However, both organizations require the completion of a training program within the last five years or equivalent work experience to sit for the exam.
While a formal training program isn’t a direct requirement to become a licensed pharmacy technician in Michigan, it can certainly be helpful to those looking to build a career in the field.
Many associate degree programs, which can take up to two years to complete, include an internship component because they know it provides students with the hands-on experience needed to help them learn to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations.
Formal training and internship programs can also enhance your competency and efficiency on the job, leading to increased confidence and greater job satisfaction. It is often preferred by employers, which means your training and internships may be able to open additional avenues for career advancement.
What Are the Job Opportunities and Salary?
Perhaps one of the best things about building a career as a pharmacy technician in Michigan is that you can enjoy a decent salary and job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, pharmacy technicians made a median salary of $40,300 per year ($19.37 per hour) in 2023.
Over the next decade, job opportunities in the field are expected to rise. The BLS projects that job growth in the field will be 7% through 2033, growing at nearly double the rate of all professions. As a Michigan-based pharmacy technician, you will likely enjoy job security.
How RxCe Supports Pharmacy Techs in Michigan With CE Courses Tailored to Your Interests
Even after you obtain your initial certification and license, Michigan requires that you complete continuing education courses to maintain them. You must also take CE courses to maintain the certification you have through PTCE or ExCPT examination.
These courses not only help pharmacy technicians meet state requirements, but also equip them with the knowledge to contribute more to the profession. By taking CE courses over the two years, you stay current with industry changes and sharpen your skills in the field to facilitate better patient care and outcomes.
Fortunately, RxCe makes it easy to obtain your CE course requirements so you can continue to build your career. Our platform offers a wide range of CE courses tailored to different pharmacy career interests.
Additionally, we bundle courses into a convenient and affordable membership available to pharmacy technicians at just $39 per year. The membership includes live courses and webinars, five hours of which are required for pharmacy technicians looking to renew a license in the state of Michigan.
All of RxCe’s continuing education course options are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). We also upload information about your completed courses directly to CPE Monitor and CeBroker so you can easily furnish proof.
If you’re ready to start building and enhancing your pharmacy technician career, RxCe is here to help. Check out our Michigan pharmacy tech CE courses and enroll in a convenient membership today.
