Pharmacy Technician Requirements in California
The demand for healthcare services in California and across the country is steadily increasing. Becoming a pharmacy technician will allow you to provide a great service in your community. 
If you’re a detail-oriented person who wants to work in healthcare but doesn’t want to put in the years of school that come with many opportunities, you might find the role of pharmacy technician right for you. Pharmacy technicians are in charge of dispensing prescriptions, managing inventory, preparing certain types of medication, and performing administrative duties while working under the supervision and direction of a pharmacist.
Each state in the US has its own set of licensing and employment requirements to work as a pharmacy tech. See below to understand the pharmacy technician requirements in California.
Basic Pharmacy Technician Requirements in California
To work as a pharmacy technician in California, you must be registered with the California State Board of Pharmacy and keep your registration current.
To apply for a license, you must fill out and submit an application for a pharmacy technician license, as well as a $195 non-refundable fee.
A recent photo, qualifying documentation for the pharmacy technology training you have completed, a self-query report, and fingerprints submitted via Live Scan are also required with the application.
The following are the minimum requirements for registering:
- Must have a high school diploma or a GED
- Must be of good moral character
- Pass a criminal background check
- Submit proof of one of the following pharmacy technician documents:
- Affidavit of coursework completion or graduation
- PTCB certificate from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
- ExCPT certificate from the National Healthcare Association Pharmacy Technician Certification Program
- Form DD214 for military pharmacy technician training from one of the branches of the federal armed services
Training Requirements
Training requirements in California that qualify for licensure are specified by the Board of Pharmacy. One of the options listed below is acceptable:
- Pharmacy technology programs accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP)
- Pharmacy technology programs provided by one of the federal military services whereby a certificate was earned
- Other courses having a training period containing at least 240 instruction hours – which includes: pharmacy practice settings, pharmacy tech duties, and responsibilities, pharmaceutical and medical terms, calculations for dosages, identification of drugs, prescription dispensing, and procedures and techniques for drug manufacturing, labeling, and packaging
Certification Requirements
National certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA) is not required in California if you have met one of the training requirements listed above.
Please consult California’s pharmacy regulations for more information regarding requirements for pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Tech Training in California
Below lists schools available for training:
Asher College in Sacramento offers both a Pharmacy Technician certificate and associate degree program. The school offers a flexible program with hands-on training and support form dedicate instructors. Classes are available during mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Included in the programs is training to take and pass the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). They will also help you apply for your California state pharmacy technician license.
Courses include Introduction to Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacy Math, Laboratory Skills, Career Success, and more.
Location:
1215 Howe Ave Suite 101
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916-900-2850
City College of San Francisco offers two options for pharmacy technician training. First is a Certificate of Achievement in Pharmacy Technician which requires two-semester program of 30 units. Second is Pharmacy Technician AS Degree which requires 18 to 26 units and 4 semesters.
The program will provide practical experience in either a hospital or retail practice in the area as you learn the role of a pharmacy tech.
Location:
John Adams Center
1860 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: 415-239-3000
Cosumnes River College in Sacramento has a Pharmacy Technology program to teach students the wide array of pharmacy tasks and duties. The program is accredited by the ASHP.
You have a choice to earn a Pharmacy Technician Certificate or a Pharmacy Technician A.S. degree. The A.S. degree requires 4 semesters and 57 to 61 course units, while the certificate requires 2 semesters and 29 course units.
After the program is completed successfully, you’ll be ready to take the either of the national pharmacy technician exams and become certified.
Location:
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: 916-691-7344
North-West College has programs that focus on healthcare careers only, including pharmacy technician training. The Pharmacy Technician training program at NWC contains eight course modules along with a 240-hous clinical internship so that you can actually apply what you’ve learned in a real life setting.
Within each of the course modules, students receive instruction along with hands-on training to be capable of performing the many tasks required of pharmacy techs. The course modules include the following: Seminar for Success, Drug Distribution, Admixture I, Admixture II, Pharmacology, Retail/Communications, Home Health/Closed Door, Career Seminar, and Clinical Internship.
The program is available at 9 different locations in California. Locations include:
Anaheim
Bakersfield
Glendale
Long Beach
Pomona
Riverside
San Diego
Van Nuys
West Covina
Contact:
1-888-408-4211
San Bernardino Community College
At San Bernardino Community College you can earn either a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate of Science Degree through their Pharmacy Technology Program. The program enables students to obtain an entry-level job as a pharmacy tech.
To earn the certificate, student are required to take 26-30 course units and must have basic knowledge of match, reading, and writing. To earn the associate degree, a minimum of 60 course units are required – which must include one of their 3 general education patterns.
Location:
701 South Mount Vernon Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92410
Phone: 909-384-4400
Looking for information about pharmacy technician requirements outside the state of California? If so, please check out the links below:
When you become a pharmacy technician, you will play an important role in improving people’s lives! Working directly with pharmacists, you will process and fill prescriptions, manage pharmaceutical inventory, process insurance claims and complete various other essential administrative work.
Learn more about the job duties of pharmacy technicians here. Also, read this article to learn what pharmacy technician earn.
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