How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharmacy Technician?
Is the only thing keeping you from working in the healthcare field your worry about the length of the required education process? If so, one option to consider is becoming a pharmacy tech. But how long does it take to become a pharmacy technician? The answer is anywhere from four months to a year.
This can be a rewarding career path that allows you to interact with patients and help pharmacies function at their best. Crucially, you also don’t need to make a huge investment of time or money to begin working in the field. Learn more about the journey to becoming a pharmacy technician and why this career may be the right choice for you.
Educational Pathways to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician & Their Timeline
A pharmacy technician is an essential part of the healthcare system. They help patients receive their medications and perform a variety of other tasks to assist pharmacists. It’s a rewarding career that offers stability, with job growth in the field expected to increase.
As you work to decide whether the pharmacy technician journey is appropriate for you, there are many factors to consider. One crucial question you may have is, “How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?”
Before you jump into the process, it's essential to have a good idea of the educational requirements and training you need — as well as how long the entire journey can take.
Requirement: High School Diploma or GED
To enter pharmacy technician training programs and eventually gain work as a pharmacy tech, you will need to have a high school diploma or to have passed the GED.
How long does it take to meet this requirement: 4 years of high school (or obtain GED)
Option 1. Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Most states require that you complete some form of training and certification program. You have choices when it comes to pharmacy technician training. There are accelerated online options that you can finish in as little as four months, as well as longer programs at community colleges that can take about a year.
You can also opt to get an associate degree. You can find these programs in most community colleges and some vocational schools. Getting an associate degree can take two years.
This route will cover all the information that you receive in certificate programs, along with general education courses. If you’re planning on pursuing other healthcare careers in the future, it’s helpful to begin with this degree.
Whether you choose a certificate or a college program, you will receive education on crucial subjects necessary to become a pharmacy technician. These include everything from pharmacy law, medical terminology, and pharmacology. You will then be ready to take your pharmacy technician certification exam.
How long does it take to meet this requirement:
- Online programs and training programs take an average of 4-9 months to complete
- An Associate degree can take 2 years
Option 2. On-the-Job Training
An integral part of the process of becoming a pharmacy technician is getting the necessary training. You need hands-on experience alongside your education before you can really spread your wings in the field.
Often, pharmacy technicians receive training from their employers when they start a new position. On-the-job training can be helpful in showing you how job-specific software works and the protocol involved, depending on the position you’ve accepted.
Keep in mind that on-the-job training as a substitute for certification is only possible in 26 states. Many employers in these jurisdictions will allow you to begin working without certification but expect you to complete the process within a few months.
So how long does it take to become a pharmacy technician via on-the-job training? The training period typically lasts between three and twelve months. The exact time requirement can depend significantly on the employer and the state in which you work.
How long does it take to meet this requirement: 3 - 12 months
Jump-Starting Your Pharmacy Technician Career
Being part of the healthcare system can mean helping those who are struggling with health conditions while also assisting pharmacists in their jobs. The process of meeting the requirements to work in this field doesn’t even have to be expensive, long, or complicated — especially when you rely on RxCE.
At RxCE, we offer high-quality continuing education for pharmacy techs that won’t cost a fortune. We provide convenient online courses that can make the education process easier for those seeking to take their careers to the next level.
If you’re thinking about beginning a journey into the healthcare industry, the team at RxCE can help. Contact us to learn more about our courses.
