BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN NEVADA

A pharmacy technician is technically an assistant to the pharmacist. Their role includes communication with patients regarding their prescriptions and their refills, as well as general management of the med room, including counting pills and proper labeling.

Pharmacy technicians can also work with insurance companies, billing and providing information to patients. For a more patient-centered role, pharmacy technicians can also work in assisted living facilities and hospitals. [Leer en español]

CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Pharmacy technicians are regulated in Nevada, though certification is not required by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy (NSBP). However, it’s important to remember that, in Nevada, an individual is required to possess this certification before looking for a job. The exam for certification is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The most basic requirements to begin training include being at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED equivalent, no felonies or misdemeanors, and no history of convictions for drug use.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN NEVADA

Pharmacy technician programmes in Nevada: what each one is recognised or accredited by, and whether federal data records graduates. PTCB directory retrieved 13 October 2026; completions are IPEDS 2023–24 under CIP 51.0805. A programme can be genuine and show no completions if it is non-credit, which federal reporting does not cover.

Programme	City	PTCB credential	ASHP accredited	Federal programme data	Programme hours
Career College of Northern Nevada	Sparks	CSPT	Yes	Listed in federal programme data	Not published
Nevada Career Institute	Las Vegas	CPhT	Yes	15 graduates in 2023–24	Not published
Northwest Career College	Las Vegas	CPhT, CSPT	Yes	Listed in federal programme data	Not published
Northwest Career College	Las Vegas	CPhT, CSPT	Yes	Listed in federal programme data	Not published
Pima Medical Institute – Las Vegas	Las Vegas	CPhT, CSPT	Yes	Listed in federal programme data	240/5 experiential
Asher College – Las Vegas	Las Vegas	CPhT	Yes	Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting)	Not published
Truckee Meadows Community College Workforce Development and Community Education	Reno	CPhT	No	Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting)	Not published
CPhT in 90 Program	Not published	CPhT	No	Not matched to a federal institution record	Not published
Innovative Workforce Projects	Not published	CPhT	No	Not matched to a federal institution record	Not published
Sierra Nevada Job Corps	Not published	CPhT	No	Not matched to a federal institution record	Not published

While certification isn’t required by NSBP, individuals with professional training will have the advantage of searching for a position. In addition, having been accepted by the Board of Pharmacy for fulfilling the minimum requirements, you may choose to obtain this training through a pharmacy in Nevada.

According to the Pharmacy Technician Guide of Nevada, the following are two of the best pharmacy technician training schools that offer pharmacy technician training programs that interested candidates can consider:

The College of Southern Nevada

Located in Clark County, the College of Southern Nevada’s pharmacy technician training program prepares the student to work in a hospital setting, in a retail pharmacy, in pharmaceutical manufacturing, or in-home IV therapy. The pharmacy tech training takes one year to complete and leads to a Certificate of Achievement. Classes are offered online and in the classroom, as well as the option of directed work experience.

Northwest Career College, Las Vegas

Northwest offers graduation in nine months. It has exceptional PTCB certification classes. The student can become a nationally certified pharmacy technician in less than a year. The pharmacy technician program features hands-on training, instruction, flexible class schedules, and a committed job placement team.

Students must take the PTCB exam and procure a license from the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. Students must also complete 1500 hours of training as a registered pharmacy technician-in-training.

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION EXAM

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a computer-based exam that can be taken at any of the more than 200 Pearson VUE test centers located throughout the United States. The PTCE is not administered by the NSBP.

The PTCE is divided into two parts, the General Knowledge section, and the Pharmacology section. The General Knowledge section covers topics such as pharmacy calculations, pharmacy law, and ethics. The Pharmacology section covers topics such as drug classification, dosage forms, and side effects.

Candidates must pass both sections of the exam within one year to receive their certification.

PAY SCALE AND JOB GROWTH

The median pharmacy technician in Nevada earns $47,980 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $39,600 and $52,090; the lowest tenth earn under $37,350 and the top tenth above $62,500. Nevada employs about 4,070 pharmacy technicians.

What that is worth where you live. Prices in Nevada run at 100.0% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $47,980 here buys what $47,990 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Nevada ranks 20 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, better than its headline wage suggests because living costs are below average.

The average hourly starting wage for pharmacy technicians in Nevada is $15.11.

Pharmacy technician employment in Nevada is projected to grow 13% between 2024 and 2034, from about 4,100 jobs to 4,640 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 450 openings a year, a figure that counts people leaving the occupation as well as new posts, so it is the better guide to how often jobs come up.

Nationally the occupation is projected to grow 6.4% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), so Nevada is growing faster than the country as a whole.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

While it’s true that many pharmacy technicians will find employment in national drugstore chains such as Walgreens or CVS, there are many other opportunities in Nevada.

For example, The Wellcare Group in Reno is a residential facility that hires pharmacy technicians to document medications for its residents, manage their medications, assist them with refills and track side effects, as well as oversee the cleanliness of the med room. Another example is Rx Relief: Leaders in Temp Staff, which offers pharmacy techs a flexible schedule, choosing assignments the individual enjoys at respected firms, guaranteed hours, competitive pay, and benefits.

This is a career path that requires hard work in the initial stages and potentially long hours; however, in Nevada, the individual will be rewarded with a variety of opportunities and work environments.

FAQS

What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Nevada?

1. Pima Medical Institute, Las Vegas
2. College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas
3. Northwest Career College, Las Vegas
4. Milan Institute, Las Vegas, and Sparks
5. Career College of Northern Nevada, Sparks

How do you become a pharmacy technician in Nevada?

1. You must be at least 18 years old
2. You must have a high school diploma or GED
3. Pass a criminal record check
4. Certification is not required by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy (NSBP)

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Nevada?

College Listings

OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS

Residents of Nevada may also wish to review their options in California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona.