Do You Need a Degree to Be a Pharmacy Tech?
Pharmacy technicians get a chance to assist pharmacists in a variety of settings while also helping patients get their prescriptions filled. It can be an exciting career, but do you need a degree to be a pharmacy tech? While you don’t need a degree, having one can help you get more competitive positions in some areas of the country.
Answer: No, a degree is not required to become a pharmacy tech. Most states require a high school diploma or GED, and most employers prefer certified pharmacy technicians. Certification can be attained by passing a pharmacy technician certification exam.
Educational Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
If you’re thinking about getting into this profession, there are some education requirements you will have to meet. Keep in mind that the requirements can vary significantly not only from state to state, but also from position to position.
General Educational Pathways
Most employers only require you to have a high school diploma or GED. As for training, you have on-the-job options, as well as the choice of completing a Primary Technician Certification Board-recognized diploma program. Some states allow you to pass a pharmacy technician certification exam instead of having to get a diploma.
You can also pursue an associate degree. Getting an associate of applied science degree from an accredited American Society of Health-System Pharmacists training program can give you more opportunities when looking for a job later. Many vocational schools and community colleges offer these degrees.
Getting an associate degree takes two years. It’s a comprehensive education program that gives you a significant skill set, which you can use to further your career or get more education later on. The two-year course credits you receive can be transferred to an undergraduate program so that you don’t have to start from scratch again.
There are some drawbacks to consider, though. A degree can take time and money. It can mean delaying when you begin earning money, which can be a problem for those who have families or other commitments. You may also not get a return on your investment if you pay a significant amount for your degree.
Certificate and Diploma Programs
For many people, getting an associate degree is not feasible, cost-wise or time-wise. That’s where certificate and diploma programs can make a difference. These programs are faster and tend to cost only a fraction of an associate degree.
A certificate or diploma program prepares you for working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, by offering hands-on experience. These programs last just a few months, and they provide everything you need to take your certification exam. Coursework can include:
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacy law
- Pharmacology basics
When choosing a program, you’ll want to look for one that is accredited by the American Society of Health Systems as well as by pharmacy boards. Once you complete your training program, you must pass a national exam.
There are two options — the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians from the National Healthcareer Association or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Your training program will prepare you to take the exam.
The drawback of the certification program is that you may miss out on career advancement opportunities unless you continue expanding your education.
Is It Beneficial to Get a Degree as an Aspiring Pharmacy Technician?
Because there are two main career paths available for aspiring pharmacy technicians, it’s important to have a clear idea of what each offers.
Degree vs. Non-Degree Path
There are some scenarios in which a degree can not only come in handy but may be required. If you’re planning on career advancement in the science or healthcare field, you’ll need to have an associate degree as a jumping-off point.
You can continue in the pharmacological field and choose career paths like pharmaceutical sales or even becoming a doctor of pharmacy. All of these paths require that you complete a bachelor’s degree so that you can apply for pharmacy college.
If you want to specialize in a particular pharmacological field, you will also need a degree. You can think of your degree as a stepping-stone that can lead you to have many career options.
But what about not taking that path? It’s sometimes impossible to take two years to get a degree or to pay the amount an associate degree costs. If you decide on a certificate or diploma program, you can save some of the expenses and also get a chance to work sooner.
Some states allow those with certificates to pursue more positions, so you may not be limited in your choices if you opt for a certificate program. Most employers feel a degree can be unnecessary if you have certification and experience.
Ultimately, to make this decision, you need to look at what your goals are. If you want to be able to start working quickly in a rewarding career, a certification program allows you to do so much more rapidly than a degree program.
You also don’t have to spend as much money on getting your career started. Many program options allow you to do a lot of the coursework online, which makes it convenient for people with busy lives.
On the other hand, if what you’re looking for is the chance to get a more advanced position later on, you may benefit more from getting a degree.
Pharmacy Technicians: Beginning an Exciting Career
The thought of starting your path toward a career can be stressful, and you may even hesitate to do so because you’re not sure which route to take. At RxCE, we offer the assistance you need as you undertake this new step.
We offer several courses and certification programs for those seeking continuing education, providing accessible and convenient options that can help your future career. For 19 years, we’ve been helping pharmacy technicians meet their goals, whatever they may be.
Don’t wait to begin the next step in your journey toward a rewarding career. Contact RxCE to try a free course.
