BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MISSOURI

If you’re a detail-oriented person who would enjoy a career in healthcare but not all the years of school that come with many opportunities in that field, you may find the role of pharmacy tech appealing. Pharmacy technicians are responsible for dispensing prescriptions, managing inventory, preparing certain types of medication, and completing administrative work. Each state enforces different licensing and employment requirements. The following information applies to pharmacy technician jobs in Missouri. [Leer en español]

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PHARMACY TECH PREREQUISITES

Pharmacy techs must register with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy and undergo a criminal background check to begin working in the state.

They must also be at least 18 years old. A high school diploma and formal certification are not necessary, though many employers may prefer to hire applicants who demonstrate additional expertise through educational programs.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN MISSOURI

Aspiring pharmacy technicians can attend formal pharmacy technician programs at community colleges and technical schools throughout the state. Be sure the program you select is approved by the state Board to ensure you will qualify for licensing exams after completion. The following pharmacy technician schools offer relevant pharmacy technician programs:

Crowder College

Crowder’s certificate program includes instruction in pharmacy techniques and concepts in addition to a course in business computing. Students also complete an internship and take a national exam as part of the program. 

Midwest Institute 

St. Louis’s Midwest Institute offers a hybrid program that allows students to view lectures online and come to campus only for lab projects. This pharmacy technician program takes less than one year to complete.

North Central Missouri College

At North Central, students can select a certificate or associate’s degree program. The certificate program can be completed in one semester and does not include an internship option, while the associate’s degree program offers experiential learning and takes two years.

Penn Foster Career School 

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


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MISSOURI LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Registration with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board must be renewed each year before May 31. While there are no additional education or certification requirements to work as a pharmacy technician in Missouri, many technicians choose to further their education by receiving their Certified Pharmacy Technician designation.

Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician by taking a national licensing exam allows you to take on more responsibilities at work and may qualify you for higher-paying jobs. To receive your certification, you must have a high school diploma or GED and register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

You can then take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, which requires a testing fee of $129. After receiving your certification, you will be asked to complete continuing education requirements every two years to keep your license current.

SALARY AND CAREER ESTIMATES

The Projections Managing Partnership predicts that the number of jobs for pharmacy technicians in Missouri will grow by 4 percent in the 10 years to 2030, slightly lower than the national average of 5 percent for this career field during the same period.

Pharmacy technicians in Missouri can expect to make an average annual salary of $32,050, according to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MISSOURI

As a pharmacy technician, you can find work in hospitals, chains, independent drugstores, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. Many of these locations are open late at night and on weekends, so expect a somewhat nontraditional schedule. Full-time jobs are more common, but part-time work is also available. You may be asked to stand for long periods or move heavy boxes at times.

Pharmacy tech jobs are generally easiest to find in larger cities, such as St. Louis and Jefferson City. These jobs offer higher salaries to compensate for the cost of urban living. However, work can be found throughout the state.

UNIVERSITIES AND PHARM TECH COLLEGES IN MISSOURI

North Central Missouri College (NCMC) offers a Certificate program with a curriculum that includes 3 credits in Pharmacy Calculations and 4 credits each in Pharm Tech 1 and 2, 4 credits in Pharm Tech Internship, and 1 credit in Employment Strategies. Credits can then be transferred to the Pharmacy Technician AAS program.

FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Missouri?

  1. Pinnacle Career Institute, Kansas City
  2. St Louis College of Health Careers, Saint Louis
  3. State Fair Community College, Sedalia
  4. Midwest Institute, Fenton
  5. North Central Missouri College, Trenton

How do you become a pharmacy technician in Missouri?

  1. You must be at least 18 years old
  2. You must have a high school diploma or GED
  3. Pass a criminal record and fingerprint check
  4. Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
  5. Apply to the Missouri Board of Pharmacy

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Missouri?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the state of Missouri made an average of $32,090 per year in 2018. Entry-level pharm techs earned around $21,420 and some experienced professionals earned as much as $44,600.

ALL SCHOOL LISTINGS

Joplin, MO Area

Crowder College

601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, Missouri 64850Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The Certificate program at Crowder College is offered at their campus in the town of Neosho. This public college has about 5,845 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs. Crowder College has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*

St. Louis, MO-IL Area

Midwest Institute

964 South Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

Midwest Institute’s Certificate-level Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their campus in Fenton in Saint Louis County, MO. Most of the school’s 179 students are on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*

Kansas City, MO-KS Area

National American University-Independence

3620 South Arrowhead Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64057-1791Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program at National American University is offered at their Independence campus in Independence in Jackson County, MO. This private, for-profit college has about 633 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs.

National American University-Independence has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, while the program is separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.* This program is ASHP accredited. Staff on the program includes 2 technicians, a lab/clerical support member, and a pharmacist. The school offers starting dates in March, June, September, and December. An interview is required. 

Acceptance Requirements: Application, high school diploma or GED equivalency documentation, placement testing, and interview. National American University requires all non-native English-speaking students to demonstrate sufficient command of the English language necessary to succeed in college-level classes taught in English. (Please see the undergraduate catalog at www.national.edu). 

General Location Training Sites: Greater Kansas City Area and Eastern Jackson County. Academic award: Associate of Applied Science-Pharmacy. 

They say: Hands-on skill development, state-of-the-art lab, tutors, assistance with financial aid, job placement, PTCB certification exam preparation/registration, and state registration.

The program will: engage students in proficiency-based, core competencies that integrate the fundamental skills, knowledge, and practice of a pharmacy technician; prepare students to collaborate with healthcare professionals to meet the needs of consumers in a multicultural society; individualize student clinical experiences in retail, compounding, hospital, institutional and home care pharmacy settings; encourage active participation in professional organizations, and measure key student outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.

National American University-Lee’s Summit

401 North West Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081-1425Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program

National American University’s Associate Pharmacy Technician program is imparted at their Lee’s Summit campus in Lee’s Summit in Jackson County, Missouri. The majority of the school’s 360 students are in 4-year programs.

National American University-Zona Rosa

7490 North West 87th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64153-1934Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program

The Associate’s program at National American University is offered at their Zona Rosa campus in the city of Kansas City, MO. Most of the school’s 477 students are in 4-year programs. National American University-Zona Rosa has institutional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, while the program is separately accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.*

This program is ASHP accredited. The program faculty includes 2 technicians, a lab/clerical support member, and a pharmacist. The school offers starting dates in March, June, September, and December. You will be required to attend an interview. 

Class scheduling: Full-time, part-time, and evening classes. 

Acceptance Requirements: Application, high school diploma or GED equivalency documentation, placement testing, and interview. National American University requires all non-native English-speaking students to demonstrate sufficient command of the English language necessary to succeed in college-level classes taught in English. (Please see the undergraduate catalog at www.national.edu). 

General Location Training Sites: Greater Kansas City Area and the Northland. Academic award: Associate of Applied Science-Pharmacy. 

They say: Hands-on skill development, state-of-the-art lab, tutors, assistance with financial aid, job placement, PTCB certification exam preparation/registration, and state registration.

The program will: engage students in proficiency-based, core competencies that integrate the fundamental skills, knowledge, and practice of a pharmacy technician; prepare students to collaborate with healthcare professionals to meet the needs of consumers in a multicultural society; individualize student clinical experiences in retail, compounding, hospital, institutional and home care pharmacy settings; encourage active participation in professional organizations, and measure key student outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.

North Missouri nonmetropolitan area Area

North Central Missouri College

1301 Main St, Trenton, Missouri 64683Pharmacy Technician – Certificate ProgramPharmacy Technology – Associate Program

The College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program Associate program, and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their campus in the town of Trenton. The majority of the school’s 1,774 students are in 2-year pharmacy technician programs. North Central Missouri College is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*

St. Louis, MO-IL Area

St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton

1297 North Highway Drive, Fenton, Missouri 63026Pharmacy Technician – Associate ProgramPharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

The College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are taught at their Fenton campus in Fenton in Saint Louis County. The majority of the school’s 301 students are in 2-year pharmacy technician programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*

St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis

909 South Taylor Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110Pharmacy Technician – Associate ProgramPharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

St Louis College of Health Careers offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. All programs are imparted at their St Louis campus in the city of Saint Louis, Missouri. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 295 students in total, with most students in 2-year pharmacy technician programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*

Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area Area

State Fair Community College

3201 W 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2199Pharmacy Technician – Certificate Program

State Fair Community College offers various Certificate Pharmacy Technician program options. All programs are imparted at their campus in the town of Sedalia, MO. The majority of the school’s 5,185 students are in 2-year pharmacy technician programs. State Fair Community College is institutionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.*

Joplin, MO Area

Vatterott College-Joplin

809 Illinois, Joplin, Missouri 64801Pharmacy Technician – Associate Program

The Associate’s program at Vatterott College is taught at their Joplin campus in the city of Joplin, Missouri. This private, for-profit college has about 236 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Vatterott College-Joplin has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.*

Kansas City, MO-KS Area

Vatterott College-Kansas City

8955 E 38th Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri 64129Pharmacy Technician – Certificate ProgramPharmacy Technician – Associate Program

The College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their Kansas City campus in the city of Kansas City, MO. The college has roughly 540 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The College-Kansas City has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.*

* 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 Missouri may also wish to review their options in IowaNebraskaKansasOklahomaArkansasTennesseeKentucky, and Illinois.