BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN ARIZONA
If you’re interested in preparing medication by mixing, counting, labeling, and recording dosages based on prescribed medication under the direction of a pharmacist, becoming a pharmacy technician may be the career for you.
Other terms for pharmacy technician include pharmacy tech, inventory specialist, and compounding technician. If you decide to pursue this career in Arizona, there’s a good chance that your skills and training will be in high demand.
REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN ARIZONA
A high school diploma or equivalent is required to become a pharmacy technician. The Pharmacy Technician Training Program in Arizona can be done either on the job or through a post-secondary training program. These training programs are typically offered by community colleges or vocational schools and last one to two years. [Leer en español]
Subjects that are taught during post-secondary training include methods of dispensing medications, recordkeeping, pharmacy laws, ethics, and arithmetic used by pharmacies.
Important qualities to have as a pharmacy tech include organizational skills, math skills, and customer service skills, especially good listening skills. To work as a pharmacy tech in Arizona, passing a certification exam is required.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA
Several schools offer pharmacy tech programs that can give you the skills you need to start a career in this field. Some pharmacy tech education programs in Arizona include:
Arizona College
This program on the Glendale campus can be completed in 34 weeks and includes both classroom and hands-on training. An off-campus externship is included in the last section of the program.
Carrington College
The pharmacy technician program is offered on the Mesa, Phoenix, and Tucson campuses and includes both theory and practical training. You can obtain a certificate in less than nine months or an associate’s degree in less than two years.
Pima Medical Institute
This nine-month certificate program helps you develop the skills you need in prescription preparation, customer service, drug inventory, and patient profiling along with training in IV therapy. It has locations in both Mesa and Tucson.
Penn Foster’s
Penn Foster’s online pharmacy technician program can be completed in as few as 9 months. You can enroll in the course whenever you’d like, and online support is always available for students.
At the end of your pharmacy tech program, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable, real-world experience at a CVS/pharmacy or Walgreens near you as part of our required hands-on training externship. More information.
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PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION IN ARIZONA
Once you’ve completed a pharmacy technician training program in Arizona, you’ll need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). There are two levels of licensing:
Pharmacy Technician Trainee
You can apply to be a trainee if you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
Pharmacy Technician Full License
You’ll need to complete a pharmacy technician training program and pass the exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Once you obtain either of these licenses, it will have to be renewed every two years. You’ll need to complete 20 hours of continuing education to apply to renew your license.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAM IN ARIZONA
To become a certified pharmacy technician in Arizona, you must pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). This exam is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and tests your knowledge of pharmacy law and regulations, medication safety, medication administration, medication storage, and inventory control, prescription interpretation, and more. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. You will receive your results immediately after the exam. Once you pass, you’ll become a certified pharmacy technician in Arizona.
CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY EXPECTATIONS
The healthcare field continues to grow rapidly, largely due to an aging population. As a pharmacy technician, you’ll be in a field that is projected to grow at a rate of approximately 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
Career Onestop reports that the typical salary for a pharmacy technician ranges between $25,900 and $38,540. The median hourly rate in Arizona for those that work in this field is $16.87 with a median annual salary of $35,090.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECH IN ARIZONA
As a pharmacy tech in Arizona, you’ll be able to work in pharmacies, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and drug stores. Pharmacies and healthcare facilities are often open long hours, sometimes 24 hours a day, so you may be working days, nights, and weekends.
As pharmacists take on expanded roles such as giving flu shots, pharmacy technicians may need to pick up some of the work formerly done by pharmacists. The job outlook for pharmacy techs appears promising throughout Arizona.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Arkansas?
- Arkansas State University, Beebe
- Remington College, Little Rock
- Walmart Stores, Bentonville
- Penn Foster Career College, Online
- Ashworth College, Online
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Arizona?
- You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal background check
- Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and apply for PTCB certification
- Apply to the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy
- Take 20 hours of continuing education including 2 hours of pharmacy law every 2 years.
How much do Pharmacy Technicians make in Arizona?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Arizona made an average of $35,090 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $24,970 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $47,760.
ALL PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOL LISTINGS
- Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
- Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
- Prescott, AZ
- Southeast Arizona nonmetropolitan area
- Tucson, AZ
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area
Arizona College-Glendale
4425 W Olive Avenue Suite 300, Glendale, Arizona 85302Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Arizona College’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is offered at their Glendale campus in Glendale in Maricopa County, AZ.
This private, for-profit college has around 937 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Arizona College-Glendale has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, while the program itself is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.*
The cost of tuition is in the order of $15,024 for each academic year. This program is ASHP accredited.
Arizona College-Mesa
163 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85201Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Arizona College’s Certificate Pharmacy Technician program is offered at their Mesa campus in the city of Mesa. The college has around 162 students in total, with the majority of students in 4-year programs.
Arizona College-Mesa has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* tuition fees are about $15,024 per year.
Brookline College-Phoenix
2445 W. Dunlap Ave., Ste. 100, Phoenix, Arizona 85021Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Brookline College’s Certificate Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Phoenix campus in the city of Phoenix. Of the 844 students, about 2% are postgraduates.
Brookline College-Tempe
1140-1150 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85281Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Brookline College’s Certificate Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Tempe campus in the city of Tempe, AZ. Most of the school’s 223 students are in 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.*
Tucson, AZ Area
Brookline College-Tucson
5441 E. 22nd St, Ste.125, Tucson, Arizona 85711Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Brookline College’s Certificate Pharmacy Technician program is offered at their Tucson campus in the city of Tucson, AZ. The majority of the school’s 420 students are in 4-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.*
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area
Carrington College-Mesa
1001 Southern Ave., Ste. 130, Mesa, Arizona 85210Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at the College can be taken at their Mesa campus in the city of Mesa. The college has about 691 students in total, with the majority of students in 2-year programs. Carrington College-Mesa has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, while the program itself is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* This program has AHSP candidate status.
Carrington College-Phoenix
8503 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at the College is based at their Phoenix campus in the city of Phoenix. The college has roughly 676 students in total, with most students in 4-year programs.
Carrington College-Phoenix has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and the program is separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* This program has AHSP candidate status.
Tucson, AZ Area
Carrington College-Tucson
3550 N Oracle Rd., Tucson, Arizona 85705-5885Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Carrington College is taught at their Tucson campus in the city of Tucson. The majority of the school’s 440 students are on 2-year programs. Carrington College-Tucson has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, while the program is separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* This program has AHSP candidate status.
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Area
Central Arizona College
8470 N Overfield Rd, Coolidge, Arizona 85128-9030Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
Central Arizona College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are imparted at their campus in Coolidge in Pinal County, AZ.
The majority of the school’s 6,445 students are on 2-year programs. Central Arizona College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area
East Valley Institute of Technology
1601 W Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85201Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
East Valley Institute of Technology’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their campus in the city of Mesa, Arizona.
The majority of the school’s 343 students are on short programs of under two years. East Valley Institute of Technology has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees.*
Southeast Arizona nonmetropolitan area Area
Eastern Arizona College
615 N. Stadium Ave., Thatcher, Arizona 85552-0769Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
Eastern Arizona College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the town of Thatcher, Arizona.
The majority of the school’s 6,602 students are on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ Area
Mohave Community College
1971 Jagerson Ave, Kingman, Arizona 86409-1238Pharmacy Technology – Associate Program, Pharmacy Technology – Certificate Program
Mohave Community College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are based at their campus in Kingman in Mohave County.
This public college has in the order of 5,227 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs. Mohave Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
Tucson, AZ Area
Pima Community College
4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275Pharmacy Technology – Certificate Program, Pharmacy Technology – Associate Program
The College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their campus in the city of Tucson. The college has about 30,082 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs.
Pima Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, while the programs themselves are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.*
This program is ASHP accredited. The program faculty includes 3 technicians, a lab/clerical support member, and a pharmacist. The school offers starting dates in January, June, and August.
Class scheduling: Full and part-time, day and evening classes, as well as online classes.
Acceptance Requirements: H.S diploma or GED equivalence, test higher than Reading 091 on Pima Community College assessment test, or completion of Reading 091 with a ? C? or better, Math assessment score of Math 122 or higher or completing of Math 092 with a grade? C? or better.
General Location Training Sites: Greater Tucson Area.
They say Traditional and online learning environments, pharmacy computer management software, hands-on learning experience in preparing various IV admixtures, compounding, code cart filling, financial aid, job placement, assistance in preparing for PTCB, licensing through the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy and 240 hours of Pharmacy Technician internship hours.
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa
957 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at the Institute is offered at their Mesa campus in the city of Mesa, Arizona. The college has around 1,146 students in total, with the majority of students in 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
Tucson, AZ Area
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
3350 East Grant Road, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85716Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Pima Medical Institute can be taken at their Tucson campus in the city of Tucson. The majority of the school’s 1,726 students are in 4-year programs. Pima Medical Institute-Tucson has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ Area
Sanford-Brown College-Phoenix
9630 North 25th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85021Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Sanford-Brown College’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Phoenix campus in the city of Phoenix. The college has about 291 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs.
South Mountain Community College
7050 S 24th St, Phoenix, Arizona 85042Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at South Mountain Community College is based at their campus in the city of Phoenix, AZ. Most of the school’s 4,718 students are in 2-year programs. South Mountain Community College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
University of Phoenix-Online Campus
3157 E. Elwood Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-7209Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program
The University of Phoenix-Online Campus’s Associate Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Online Campus campus in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Of the 212,044 students, about 20% are postgraduates. The school has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
Prescott, AZ Area
Yavapai College
1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, Arizona 86301Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program
Yavapai College’s Certificate program is imparted at their campus in the city of Prescott, Arizona. This public college has about 8,197 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*
* Accreditation status and tuition fees are correct at the time of the last update and are sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college or university before applying.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
See options in the neighboring states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.