BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN KENTUCKY

If you’re interested in a healthcare career but less sure about the prospect of medical school or college, a job as a pharmacy technician may be right for you. In this role, you’ll dispense prescriptions, manage inventory, prepare certain types of medication, and complete administrative tasks to support pharmacists. [Leer en español]

Pharmacy techs are in high demand across the country. Each state has its requirements to begin working, so take a look at the qualifications you’ll need to work in Kentucky below.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Pharmacy techs must be at least 16 years of age to work in Kentucky. They should register with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of beginning work and must display their registration in their workplace upon receipt.

Students enrolled in approved training programs do not need to register to complete the clinical component of their program. While a high school degree or GED is not required, employers may stipulate this as a qualification at their discretion.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY

Prospective pharmacy techs may be trained by a licensed pharmacist or through formal pharmacy technician programs. These are generally available at community colleges and pharmacy technician schools across the state, and most require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED.

Before enrolling, ensure that the pharmacy technician programs you have chosen have approval from the state Board.

The following pharmacy technician schools in Kentucky are among those that offer pharmacy technician programs:

Jefferson Community College

The Community College’s pharmacy tech program confers a diploma and two certificates upon completion. Courses prepare students to take the national certification exam and work in hospitals or other pharmacy environments.

Ross Medical Education Center

Students at Ross complete a 36-week program that includes six weeks of externships, allowing them to practice real-world applications of their skills. The course is divided into six modules, which cover pharmacy operations, calculations, ethics, terminology, compounding, and more.

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster offers an affordable, ASHP Accredited online Pharmacy Technician training program. More information.

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CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Kentucky requires that pharmacy technicians register with the state Board and renew their licenses each year to continue working.

National certification is not required to begin working as a pharmacy technician in Kentucky. However, earning the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician will also qualify you for higher-paying jobs in the future. To receive this designation, you must register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, have a high school diploma or GED, pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and pay a fee of $129.

You must meet continuing education requirements and renew this certification every two years to remain in good standing with the national board.

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CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY EXPECTATIONS

The Projections Managing Partnership estimates that jobs for pharmacy technicians will grow at an average national rate of 12 percent during the 10 years to 2026. In Kentucky, pharmacy technicians are expected to enjoy a job growth rate of 17.2 percent during the same period.

Average annual salaries in the state, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are $30,140, with average hourly salaries at about $14.49 per hour.

WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN KENTUCKY

Once you receive your certification, you will be able to work in independent or chain drugstores, hospital pharmacies, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

Many of these employers are open late and on weekends, so you should expect to work at night and on the weekends as part of your normal schedule. Part-time and full-time roles may be available at any of them. Also, you should be comfortable standing for long periods and occasionally moving heavy boxes of inventory.

Higher-paying pharmacy tech jobs are typically located in larger cities, such as Louisville and Lexington, where salaries match the higher cost of living. However, pharmacy technicians can find work anywhere in the state.

WELL-KNOWN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

The Ashland Community and Technical College are worth checking out. They have a Certificate program that can be completed in one year or two years for their Associate program.

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FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Kentucky?

Jefferson Community and Technical College, Louisville
Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington
American National University, Lexington
Hussian College-Daymar College, Bowling Green
Hopkinsville Community College, Hopkinsville

How do you become a pharmacy technician in Kentucky?

You must be at least 18 years old
You must have a high school diploma or GED
Pass a criminal record check
Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
Apply for Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certification

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Kentucky?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Kentucky made an average of $29,270 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $20,400 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $39,730.

ALL SCHOOL LISTINGS

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Area

Ashland Community and Technical College

1400 College Drive, Ashland, Kentucky 41101-3683Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Ashland Community and Technical College offer various Certificate Pharmacy Tech program options. All programs are imparted at their campus in the city of Ashland, Kentucky.

The majority of the school’s 3,359 students are on 2-year programs. Ashland Community and Technical College have institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, while the programs themselves are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* The cost of tuition for in-state students is usually about $3,456 and for students from other states in the order of $12,096 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,000, as necessitated by the chosen program. This program has AHSP candidate status.

Clarksville, TN-KY Area

Hopkinsville Community College

720 North Dr., Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Hopkinsville Community College’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their campus in the town of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Most of the school’s 3,609 students are in 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.* The cost of tuition for in-state students is around $3,456 and for out-of-state students in the order of $12,096 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,000, as necessitated by the chosen program.

Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Area

Jefferson Community and Technical College

109 E Broadway, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-2005Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

This College offers various Certificate Pharmacy Technician program options. All programs are based at their campus in the city of Louisville. Most of the school’s 13,498 students are in 2-year programs. They also have institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Commission on Colleges, while the programs are separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* Fees for tuition for in-state students are likely to be in the order of $3,536 and for students from outside the state likely to be about $12,176 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,000, although this varies from program to program. This program is ASHP accredited. The program staff includes 2 technicians, and a lab/clerical support member. The school offers starting dates in the Fall and Spring. An interview is required.

Class scheduling: Day/full time.

Acceptance Requirements: appropriate scores on the ACT or Compass test, interview with the program director.

General Location Training Sites: Louisville and Southern Indiana. Academic award: Certificate/Diploma.

They say: Site also serves as a licensed testing facility for National Pharmacy Technicians’ Sterile Products and Compounding Certificates.

South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Area

KCTCS Somerset Community College-Laurel Campus

SCC Laurel Campus 100 University Drive, London, KY 40741Pharmacy Technician – Program

The program is taught at their location in London. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* This program is ASHP accredited. The program staff includes 2 technicians. The school offers start dates in August.

Class scheduling: full-time, daytime M-TH.

Acceptance Requirements: Applications for admission to SCC, Official high school transcript or a passing GED official score report, Transcripts of all post-secondary education or training, Results of the ACT examination report, and Letter written to the Pharmacy Tech. Program Coordinator stating intent to be admitted to the program, and Documentation of attendance at a pre-admission conference.

General Location Training Sites: Laurel county and several surrounding counties. Academic award: Pharmacy Technician II Diploma 39-48.

They say: Updated Lab, Hands-on development, Financial Aid, On the job experience

Lexington-Fayette, KY Area

National College-Lexington

2376 Sir Barton Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40509Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program, Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

National College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Lexington campus in the city of Lexington, KY. This private, for-profit college has in a region of 1,282 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs.

National College-Lexington has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $11,550 per year. Learning materials may cost in the order of $2,826, as necessitated by the chosen program.

Bowling Green, KY Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Bowling Green

1751 Scottsville Rd Ste 1, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42104Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The program at this school is offered at their Bowling Green campus in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

This private, for-profit college has in the order of 128 students in total, with most students on < 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are around $14,140 annually. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.

Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Erlanger

600 Rodeo Drive, Ste. 2, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018-1279Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Ross Medical Education Center’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Erlanger campus in Erlanger in Kenton County, KY.

The majority of the school’s 25 students are on short programs of under two years. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are usually around $14,140 per year. Typically, the program is completed in 9 months.

South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Area

Somerset Community College

808 Monticello Street, Somerset, Kentucky 42501-2973Pharmacy Technology – Certificate Program

Somerset Community College offers various Certificate Pharmacy Technician program options. All programs are based at their campus in the town of Somerset, KY. This public college has in the order of 7,504 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs.

The school has institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.* Fees for tuition for in-state students are about $3,456 and for students from other states likely to be about $12,096 yearly, while study materials may cost about $1,000, although this will vary with the program.

West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area Area

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, Kentucky 42002-7380Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at this College is taught at their campus in the town of Paducah, Kentucky. Most of the school’s 7,104 students are in 2-year programs.

This College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.* Tuition fees for in-state students are generally around $3,456 and for out-of-state students approximately $12,096 annually. Study materials can cost around $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

* 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

Residents of Kentucky may also wish to review their options in Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, West Virginia, and Illinois.