DO YOU NEED TO GO TO PHARM TECH SCHOOL?

Hi,

I live in California, and I was wondering if it was a requirement to go to school and take classes and get a degree like aa for pharmacy tech. I keep on hearing on here how people just buy these books, study, and then pass the PTCB. If you are certified, can you start looking for jobs, or do you have to go to school?

Even i have a same question .. someone please help us and which one will be better to pass to get job in california PTCB or ExCPT?

The PTCB is technican certification, I know for my company its not required, just your state license but it will be easier for you to find a job. I would go to one of the schools, either trade school, ROP, community college, the lowest cost and fastest way possible. Most schools send you out to sites where you can gain experience and get a feel for the job. If they like you, maybe you can get hired on. You can try to apply to one of the drug stores, Walgreens or CVS and apply for a clerk position, we are in the flu season now and pharmacies need the most help this time of year, its worth a try

Oh thank you for responding but if you don't mind, let me tell you my situation and I can ask you a few more questions about things I am still unclear about.

I just got my Bachelor's in Economics from Sac state. Will having my Bachelor's degree look good when applying for a pharm tech position?

Second, so are you saying that taking the PTCB is not required by anyone, just having your license, but if you do take the test and pass, then will it look good to employers? What is required for your state license?

Thirdly, I am pretty burnt out on school and my job, I am a server right now and I want to be a pharm tech as soon as possible, so are you saying that schooling is not required as well?

What are my odds of getting a pharmacy tech position with just my Bachelor's degree and passing the PTCB test? I've heard that the pharmacies want people with experience. I have thought about starting out as a clerk as you mentioned to get my foot in the door, but I fear that they will just want to keep me in that position and then I will get stuck, and never move up to pharm tech position.

Thank you so much for your help!

I just graduated from Kaplan University Pharmacy Technician program and started working in Knights Drugs Inc. the next day.

It really depends upon the person and what the company is looking for.

If you go to a CVS that has maybe one Pharmacist and one Tech with little to no experience thery would more likely need a Tech who has say an educational background or certification to back them up or even train the new tech.

If you were a manager would you want a Tech working for you that doesnt know how to fill a script yet or a Tech who has a degree and experience in the field?

At the end of the day it all depends on the demands of the company you wish to work for but it is possible to become a Tech with little to no experience or schooling.
The chances are slimmer to one who does have it.

Hope the information helped, and Good Luck! =)

P.S.
The schooling for Techs isn't long or hard at all..
It only took me 7 months and that was an online self paced course.
I could have finished sooner but work, family, ect held me liable.
I would highly consider it although you honestly don't need it for retail pharmacy.
It will still grab the attention of the company and prepare you for the PTCB Exam.
Neither one are really hard its just how you much you study and apply yourself.

Kaplan University has one of the best online Pharmacy Technician Programs in the country..
If you really serious about getting into the field I would check them out and if you dont like it, like we said.. you can always get ont the job training.
But I say go for it!
Its one of the best/easiest careers you can have!

(Just know your Top 200 Drugs)

Good Luck! =)

Email me if you have anymore question Josephheaden@gmail.com

As far as I know, the PTCB isnt required but it will look better to employers, as far as the job goes, I would apply to one of the chain stores, Rite Aid or Walgreens, put on your application that you will take anything right now. We had a girl at my work apply as a store cashier, then when someone would call in sick, we had that girl work in the pharmacy just on the register then she worked with us more, gradually learned the computer, still doing just clerk duties at that time. then she applied for tech license and got her PTCB cert from her experience. What also would help is when you get hired in one of the stores, make friends with people that work in the pharmacy, the pharmacist, tech, etc, they can probably help you out if you want to work back there.

who="Marissa in Sacramento, California"]Oh thank you for responding but if you don't mind, let me tell you my situation and I can ask you a few more questions about things I am still unclear about.

I just got my Bachelor's in Economics from Sac state. Will having my Bachelor's degree look good when applying for a pharm tech position?

Second, so are you saying that taking the PTCB is not required by anyone, just having your license, but if you do take the test and pass, then will it look good to employers? What is required for your state license?

Thirdly, I am pretty burnt out on school and my job, I am a server right now and I want to be a pharm tech as soon as possible, so are you saying that schooling is not required as well?

What are my odds of getting a pharmacy tech position with just my Bachelor's degree and passing the PTCB test? I've heard that the pharmacies want people with experience. I have thought about starting out as a clerk as you mentioned to get my foot in the door, but I fear that they will just want to keep me in that position and then I will get stuck, and never move up to pharm tech position.

Thank you so much for your help!

oh thank you very much for your help! I think I'm going to start off as a clerk very soon and put in my apps, thanks again!!!

Marissa in Sacramento, California said: Oh thank you for responding but if you don't mind, let me tell you my situation and I can ask you a few more questions about things I am still unclear about.

I just got my Bachelor's in Economics from Sac state. Will having my Bachelor's degree look good when applying for a pharm tech position?

Second, so are you saying that taking the PTCB is not required by anyone, just having your license, but if you do take the test and pass, then will it look good to employers? What is required for your state license?

Thirdly, I am pretty burnt out on school and my job, I am a server right now and I want to be a pharm tech as soon as possible, so are you saying that schooling is not required as well?

What are my odds of getting a pharmacy tech position with just my Bachelor's degree and passing the PTCB test? I've heard that the pharmacies want people with experience. I have thought about starting out as a clerk as you mentioned to get my foot in the door, but I fear that they will just want to keep me in that position and then I will get stuck, and never move up to pharm tech position.

Thank you so much for your help!

I don’t know about CA but in UT you have to have your national certification to get your license. UT accepts the PTCB and the EXCPT. If a company is contracted with the state as a "train to work" company then you can do that. Here you have to have either 300 hours of work experience or 180 hour externship. you can try this website for Pharmacy license info www.pharmacy.ca.gov/licensing/licensees_info.shtml#TCH

I started in Idaho as a clerk. The second they needed a tech they asked me if I wanted to do it because I already worked there and was familiar with the system. Hope this helps

Marissa in Sacramento, California said: Hi,

I live in California, and I was wondering if it was a requirement to go to school and take classes and get a degree like aa for pharmacy tech. I keep on hearing on here how people just buy these books, study, and then pass the PTCB. If you are certified, can you start looking for jobs, or do you have to go to school?

You need to be licensed to work in a Pharmacy.

GiLL in Stockton, California said: Even i have a same question .. someone please help us and which one will be better to pass to get job in california PTCB or ExCPT?

The real question is do you have a license? Some places don't require certification. You won't find a job without the license.

Marissa in Sacramento, California said: Oh thank you for responding but if you don't mind, let me tell you my situation and I can ask you a few more questions about things I am still unclear about.

I just got my Bachelor's in Economics from Sac state. Will having my Bachelor's degree look good when applying for a pharm tech position?

Second, so are you saying that taking the PTCB is not required by anyone, just having your license, but if you do take the test and pass, then will it look good to employers? What is required for your state license?

Thirdly, I am pretty burnt out on school and my job, I am a server right now and I want to be a pharm tech as soon as possible, so are you saying that schooling is not required as well?

What are my odds of getting a pharmacy tech position with just my Bachelor's degree and passing the PTCB test? I've heard that the pharmacies want people with experience. I have thought about starting out as a clerk as you mentioned to get my foot in the door, but I fear that they will just want to keep me in that position and then I will get stuck, and never move up to pharm tech position.

Thank you so much for your help!

I find it odd that you live in CA and don't know the licensing requirements. You just pay the fees. You need to make sure that you don't have any misdemeanors, felonies, or DUIs. That's it. Having a BA is good. Having a BS and licensed is better. Don't you think you'd need to have experience in the field? Without experience, such as volunteering or an internship/externship, do you think a Pharmacist will hire anyone? Also getting your foot in the door working as a clerk will give you the experience you need to become that Pharmacy Technician.

Mii in Livingston, California said: You need to be licensed to work in a Pharmacy.

It would be a plus if you went to school also.

I graduated from UC Davis back in May 2009 with a BS in Biology. I bought some study books and studied a month for the PTCB. I passed the exam and was certified December of 2008. After I graduated, I applied for my licensed.

I've volunteered 3 months at Rite-Aid Pharmacy while I was in school and 3 months in a hospital ER.

With no other experience in pharmacy, I have had no luck at finding a job as a pharmacy technician. Walgreens, Target, Walmart, CVS, and Rite-Aid all turned me down once they realized I had no experience. I even asked to volunteer, with no pay, but no luck. Many said that they reserve the spots for students or Pharmacy students.

I've applied online. The majority of the listings required for at least 1 year of experience. Prison pharmacies even ask for 1 year of experience.

My advice to you is to get a full year of experience while in school, and then worry about the PTCB and the licensing. You would only be wasting your money if you were to pay for the PTCB test, the licensing fees, and fingerprint fees. Or as previous posters have noted, get a job as a clerk, then get licensed!

I WORK FOR APHARMACY NOW.I JUST PASSED MY GED AND WANT BECOME A TECHNICIAN WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO. WHAT ARE THE STEPS I HAVE TO TAKE.

aj in San Antonio, Texas said: I WORK FOR APHARMACY NOW.I JUST PASSED MY GED AND WANT BECOME A TECHNICIAN WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO. WHAT ARE THE STEPS I HAVE TO TAKE.

Well you could stop yelling to start.

No, you absolutely do not need to go to school. I worked as a pharmacy tech when I was in college. The best way to become a pharmacy technician is to sign up for the ptcb and get certified. Getting certified allows you to get licensed. CVS has a great training process where you learn everything you need to know while getting paid. Pharmacy tech school is a scam and a waste of money.

J in Palm Harbor, Florida said: No, you absolutely do not need to go to school. I worked as a pharmacy tech when I was in college. The best way to become a pharmacy technician is to sign up for the ptcb and get certified. Getting certified allows you to get licensed. CVS has a great training process where you learn everything you need to know while getting paid. Pharmacy tech school is a scam and a waste of money.

How about community colleges or adult schools that offer pharmacy tech training for a reasonable price? Should I take advantage of that? Besides, my health care experience is blank. With this economy, will CVS hire new technician easily?

mynhii in Oakland, California said: How about community colleges or adult schools that offer pharmacy tech training for a reasonable price? Should I take advantage of that? Besides, my health care experience is blank. With this economy, will CVS hire new technician easily?

wouldn't be worth it,there is no reasonable price for being a tech, even free training is worth it. cvs will hire if you work fast and off the clock.(two favorite qualitys of pharmacy)

starving tech in Hesperia, California said: wouldn't be worth it,there is no reasonable price for being a tech, even free training is worth it. cvs will hire if you work fast and off the clock.(two favorite qualitys of pharmacy)

Suppose what you're saying is true, I still need a certification to be considered, don't I? CVS won't care if potential employees have pharmacy certification?

mynhii in Oakland, California said: Suppose what you're saying is true, I still need a certification to be considered, don't I? CVS won't care if potential employees have pharmacy certification?

you technically dont have to be certified to be a tech in california, cvs will pay for you to become certified if you were to get a job with them; then afterwards give you a pat on the back and tell you to work faster.

starving tech in Hesperia, California said: you technically dont have to be certified to be a tech in california, cvs will pay for you to become certified if you were to get a job with them; then afterwards give you a pat on the back and tell you to work faster.

According to what you say, CVS will pay for me to become certified IF I could get a job with them. Perhaps I'm naive, but I don't understand how I am able to get in their system unless I know someone. Otherwise, if I have the knowledge that they want a technician to have, isn't it easier for me to be considered for the job?

How did you have your job anyway? Can you please share with me what to say on the application that CVS may like? Thank you.

Marissa in Sacramento, California said: Hi,

I live in California, and I was wondering if it was a requirement to go to school and take classes and get a degree like aa for pharmacy tech. I keep on hearing on here how people just buy these books, study, and then pass the PTCB. If you are certified, can you start looking for jobs, or do you have to go to school?

Both of my daughters have worked as Pharm Techs. Neither went to school. As far as state certification goes their are study guides you can buy, which my daughters did, and both got certified first try. The oldest doaughter is due to graduate Pharm. D. school in May.

Just sign up to take the test. I studied one night and took the test the next morning with no background in pharmacy.

Pharmacy tech schools are in truth just shams. Don't pay thousands of dollars to get a tech license. The test is straight forward. Just get a book from the book store and read it.

Here's my advice.
80% of the test is simple conversions. If you know how to do simple math than you'll pass. 20% of the test is on drugs and stupid laws. You only need a 60% to pass the test so theoretically if you just do your math right you'll pass.

You do not need to go to Pharmacy Teach school. While it may be helpful in preparing you for working in both retail and hospital pharmacy, it can be expensive and time consuming. I went to Remington college which is a fantastic school here in Houston, but the program took almost a year to complete and of course $11,550 in 2004. But nowadays people just go to the library, borrow the books and take the exam. When you are looking for a job employers don't even notice, it's almost like your academic experience, money, and time spent is irrelevant. So i wouldn't recommend you go to school for it. Just get the book, study it and take the exam. Good luck

im 21 yrs of age and have a ged ,i wud like to work as a pharm tech but never been to college or trade school after highschool, wat options do i have??

you don't really need to go to school to be a technician. Buy the study material. Register with the Board to take the exam. Pass the test. The hardest part is to find a job without experience. Know people. Everything else you will learn once you start working.

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