Could a person become a pharmacy tech just by taking the test and passing?

What I mean is that, if I take the test and pass it, would I be able to get hired as a pharmacy tech, without any prior training, or schooling?

Yeah anyone can take the test. Kids in my class just took the test and passed it.

Hi,

I am working for retail right now as rx cashier, and plan to study to be certify tech...is it true that as rxcashier, i have to do everything like tech does, except fill/refill pills and affix vial label??? This's job required of multitask and detail oriented, and am only there for 3mos and already exhausted and also pressured from mean pharm tech, she's a bully kind...refused to help me when i have a question....so sad to work with this girl... :( but one thing for sure though....this job required lots of pay attention to details though...which happen to be my weak point... ;(

You have to go to school to get certified to be a pharmacy technician and then have to apply for a license with your state that is what i did i am certified and licensed and it was painless for me not everyone can just take the test and become certified the math is difficult the laws are hard to remember there is ALOT to it and is not just "so easy" as everyone claims but it is worth it

Mike in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: yeah kids in my class took the test and passed it so yeah you don't have to go to pharmacy technician school.

I definitely recommend a short program over a long 6-8 month pharm tech school. If you have never worked in the field before some kind of introductory prep class can be very helpful. I write about healthcare career training and job hunting- check out my blog at blog.mkedu.org/

You do NOT have to go to school to become certified. I've been a technician for 20yrs and certified for the last 12 years. From what I understand, the schooling is a complete waste of time and money and it's better to start out at a retail pharmacy as a clerk and receive on the job training.

You don't have to go to school to be a pharmacy tech. Working in retail is the best place to start and hopefully you have a good pharmacist to teach and work with you like i did. Then move on to hospital and train there so you are more marketable as a true pharmacy tech. i have been a pharmacy tech for the last 25 years and that plan worked best for me. I also teach pharmacy tech classes now and i enjoy helping other people due what i do and love .

I am sorry to rain on anyone's parade, but PLEASE check with your local state laws FIRST before taking advice from people. Some states do require you to take a training program, like Florida. If the program you take is not approved, you can not get registered/licensed. Sometimes, not being licensed/registered will stop you from becoming certified. So please, do your own research with your local state board before taking advice. Thanks.

Bree said: I am sorry to rain on anyone's parade, but PLEASE check with your local state laws FIRST before taking advice from people. Some states do require you to take a training program, like Florida. If the program you take is not approved, you can not get registered/licensed. Sometimes, not being licensed/registered will stop you from becoming certified. So please, do your own research with your local state board before taking advice. Thanks.

From what this says tinyurl.com/4lrz9l8 it looks as though even in Florida you can obtain certification and be fine?

"Meet the education requirements. The Florida Board of Pharmacy has established three options for satisfying the education requirements. Complete a Board-accredited pharmacy technician training program. Acquire 1,500 hours of work experience under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Obtain your pharmacy tech certification from an organization approved by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)."

I am interested in becoming a pharmacy tech, i am 22 and looking to start a career. I dont have the money to go to school. So I can get licensed and certified without going to school? or am i wrong? I am looking to get into CVS or a similar retail pharmacy to get started and get experience. I assume I would need to be certified to get in there easier. I dont think I would be hired in the pharmacy end of the store with no experience or cert.

Ohio doesn't require certification or schooling yet. It is preferred to have experience. Retail will take on newbies IF they are in great need and can cross-train someone from say, cashier or photolab. Most everyone starts retail or mail-order. I plug for hospital pharmacy. But, you gotta have good recommendations, 6 months to 3 years experience, PTCB certification, a clean record, good morals and some are even pushing for a schooling program or loads of experience. And aseptic IV infusion prep helps A LOT! Pay the $500 and go to Texas for the extra-cert. It will help in the long run.

Stoney in Cleveland, Ohio said: I am interested in becoming a pharmacy tech, i am 22 and looking to start a career. I dont have the money to go to school. So I can get licensed and certified without going to school? or am i wrong? I am looking to get into CVS or a similar retail pharmacy to get started and get experience. I assume I would need to be certified to get in there easier. I dont think I would be hired in the pharmacy end of the store with no experience or cert.

Stoney,
Most places require experience and like...if not require...certification. You can take practice PTCB Exams online for a low-cost and even find study guides if you want to avoid schooling, tho, I would recommend a program of some sort. I felt comfortable and knowledgeable with my externships. National College (national-college.com) will set you up in a good direction. A cheaper route would be the 48 credit hour diploma program. They help you get into an externship site which is not paid but it is 12 hrs a week for ten weeks, though the cost is about $10,000. They basically get you a 120-hour interview and give ya a leg-up vs. non-schooled techs. Plus, my pharmacy staff in Stow has a large background of instructors ranging from a pharmacist, a retail tech, a mail-order tech and a doctor of pharmacology (not pharmacy, he actually helps in developing the drugs). You will be happier with experience. I was.

While certification isn't required by law in the state of Ohio, most EMPLOYERS do require their Pharmacy Technicians to be certified. Futhermore, you do not need to pay $10,000 for a class or an externship. Community Colleges will sometimes offer short term and more affordable Pharm Tech programs for $1000 to $2000. You may even be able to qualify for grants or other aid. I write about the road to becoming a pharmacy in my blog blog.mkedu.org/

zendancer in Sarasota, Florida said: Mike is correct: I never spent a dime on a training program, and I was able to register in Florida. My employer vouched for the 1500 hour requirement (and I became certified not that long after, so either of those would've worked.) So maybe do your own research a little more carefully. ;)

Please take a look at this website (FL board of pharmacy): www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy/

Here is a quote for those who want updated information:
"Effective January 1, 2011, any person who wishes to work as a pharmacy technician in the State of Florida must register with the Board of Pharmacy. To register with the Board of Pharmacy, an applicant must submit the following items:
1.Pharmacy Technician Registration Application
2.$105.00 Fee ($50.00 non-refundable application fee, $50.00 registration fee, $5.00 unlicensed application fee)
3.Proof of completion of a board-approved pharmacy technician-training program.

For people in other states, please visit the NHA website for detailed state by state requirements for pharmacy technicians at: www.nhanow.com/pharmacy-technician/requirements.aspx
This link includes certification, training, license/registration and continuing education requirements.

I have already spoken to technicians in Florida that are running into the issue of not being able to get registered because they didn't take a "board approved" program. Be careful everyone and stay updated. January 2011 just passed and not many people are aware of this new rule, as you can see. If you are starting fresh, please make sure you do it right. Thanks everyone!!!

HELLO EVERYONE , I APPLIED FOR WALGREENS IN MEMPHIS TN, AN GOT CALLED BY THE PHARMACY MANAGER...SO FOR THE ONES THAT THINK U HAVE TATO GO TO SCHOOL,U REALLY DONT.TRY TO GET EXPERIENCE FROM WALGREENS,CVS PHARMACY, FREDS OR RITE AID. THOSE PLACES GIVE YOU HANDS ON TRAINING AN THE PHARMACIST GET TO CHOOSE WHO HE OR SHE WANTS TO GO TO CLASS TO GET CERTIFIED

carol in selinsgrove,pa in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania said: You don't have to go to school to be a pharmacy tech. Working in retail is the best place to start and hopefully you have a good pharmacist to teach and work with you like i did. Then move on to hospital and train there so you are more marketable as a true pharmacy tech. i have been a pharmacy tech for the last 25 years and that plan worked best for me. I also teach pharmacy tech classes now and i enjoy helping other people due what i do and love .

i was wondering wear can i find the books to study for the pharmacy tech. found so many on line dont know which one to order. thank you

Jealous Guy in Edinburg, Texas said: What I mean is that, if I take the test and pass it, would I be able to get hired as a pharmacy tech, without any prior training, or schooling?

Yes, you can. You don't need to go to some expensive course on pharm tech. An online class works great. I took a cheap $50 class and then signed myself up for the certification... passed with flying colors. My friend set me up with this woman that does online classes, jamieegermana@yahoo.com. Shoot her an email.

cbob in Humble, Texas said: i was wondering wear can i find the books to study for the pharmacy tech. found so many on line dont know which one to order. thank you

There is a site with THE PHARMACIST TECHNICIAN 4ED online for free. I forgot the link, but if you email jamieegermana@yahoo.com, she can send it to you. She also has a link to a power-point with all of the workbook questions and answers.She runs a study course/ class for people looking to get pharm tech certified.

thank you

Yes, check with your state. Texas is moving towards requiring an ASHP accredited program before they will license techs, I believe within the next couple years. So don't just take people's word for it, do the research so you don't find yourself unable to get a job.

Also very important to check with employers - even if the state doesn't require certification, many employers do.

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Cpht. in Worcester, Massachusetts said: There is a site with THE PHARMACIST TECHNICIAN 4ED online for free. I forgot the link, but if you email jamieegermana@yahoo.com, she can send it to you. She also has a link to a power-point with all of the workbook questions and answers.She runs a study course/ class for people looking to get pharm tech certified.

Here is the link to: THE PHARMACIST TECHNICIAN 4ED
longfiles.com/eqlgdsp48r9f/The_Pharmacy_Technician.pdf.html

I would like to know how to go about getting registered for a pharmacy technician in the state of Florida, I have not went to special training classes only on the job for 30 years. I am certified in Missouri but want to move to Florida. Is there anyone out there that can tell me how to go about it. Can my current employer sign something saying I have completed the hours required. I do not want to have to go there and be jobless for months while taking training. Please let me know the correct steps to take to get this show on the road. Thank you in advance for your help.