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Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist in retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities and mail-order pharmacies.
What does a pharmacy technician do?
- Receiving prescriptions and entering them into the pharmacy system.
- Counting, measuring and labeling medications for the pharmacist to check.
- Managing inventory and processing insurance claims.
- In hospitals, helping prepare medications such as IV admixtures.
California license requirements
Pharmacy technicians in California must be licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Applicants generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, must complete a background check with fingerprints, and must meet one of the qualifying routes accepted by the Board, for example:
- National certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association ExCPT exam.
- Completion of a pharmacy technician training course that meets the Board’s requirements.
- An associate degree in pharmacy technology.
- Pharmacy technician training completed in the military.
The license must be renewed on time. The Board cancels licenses that are not renewed within 90 days of expiration.
Training options in the Modesto area
Pharmacy technician programs range from short certificate courses to associate degrees. Programs accredited by ASHP and ACPE meet nationally recognized standards. Look for a program that includes an externship in a pharmacy and prepares you for the PTCB or ExCPT exam.
Questions to ask before you enroll
- Is the school approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), or is the program offered by a public community college?
- Does the program include the clinical or externship hours you will need for certification or licensure?
- What percentage of recent graduates passed the certification exam and found work in the field? BPPE-approved schools must give you a School Performance Fact Sheet before you enroll.
- What is the total cost, including books, uniforms, exam and licensing fees, and what is the refund policy?
For job outlook and pay data, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Requirements change. Always confirm the current rules with the official agency before you enroll in a program.