Pharmacy Technician Schools in Ohio: Overview and Steps to Begin
Ohio pharmacy technicians are crucial in assisting pharmacists with dispensing medications and ensuring smooth pharmacy operations. They play a vital role in receiving prescriptions, processing insurance claims, and managing inventory. [Leer en español]
As healthcare continues to grow, the demand for pharmacy technicians remains steady, making this a promising career path in Ohio.
Some of the main responsibilities of pharmacy technicians include:
- Organizing and maintaining medication inventories
- Answering customer queries related to prescriptions
- Processing insurance payments and handling billing
- Packaging and labeling medications for distribution
- Referring complex questions to the pharmacist
Steps to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Ohio
To become a pharmacy technician in Ohio, you must meet certain requirements and complete the appropriate training. The steps include:
- Obtain a high school diploma or GED is the basic educational requirement.
- Complete an accredited training program: Enroll in an ASHP—or ACPE-accredited program. Many pharmacy technician schools in Ohio offer these programs, which often last one to two years.
- Pass the state exams: To become certified or registered, you must pass either the ExCPT or PCTE exam, demonstrating your knowledge and proficiency.
Ohio has specific regulations requiring all practicing pharmacy technicians to hold active registration with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. There are three registration categories: certified pharmacy technician, registered technician, and technician trainee.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Ohio
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus | CPhT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | MULT 1900, MULT 1905 experiential |
| Lakewood University | Cleveland | CPhT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Pickaway-Ross Joint Vocational School District – Chillicothe | Chillicothe | CPhT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Professional Skills Institute | Maumee | CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Ross Medical Education Center – Cincinnati | Cincinnati | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Ross Medical Education Center – Ontario | Mansfield | CPhT, CSPT | No | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Ross Medical Education Center – Sylvania | Sylvania | CPhT, CSPT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Scioto County Career Technical Center – Lucasville | Lucasville | CPhT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton | CPhT | Yes | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus | Jefferson | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Belmont Technical College | Saint Clairsville | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Bowling Green State University Firelands | Huron | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Clark State Community College | Springfield | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Cleveland State University | Cleveland | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Columbus City Schools – Fort Hayes Career Center Pharmacy Technician Program | Columbus | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Franklin University – Undergraduate Certificate | Columbus | CPhT | Candidate | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Great Oaks Career Campuses | Cincinnati | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Lorain County Community College | Elyria | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Ohio University Southern | Ironton | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Owens Community College | Perrysburg | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Portage Lakes Career Center | Uniontown | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences | Toledo | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Trumbull Career & Technical Center | Warren | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| 1st Choice Career Centers, INC | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Absolute Pharmacy | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Cincinnati | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Cincinnati Public Schools – Woodward Career Technical High School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology | Cleveland | CPhT, CSPT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | 640 total, 200 experiential |
| Cleveland Job Corps Center | Cleveland | CPhT | Approved | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Cuyahoga Community College | Not published | CPhT, CSPT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Delaware Area Career Center | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Four Cities Educational Compact | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Franklin University – Undergraduate Microcredential | Columbus | CPhT | Candidate | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Heights Career Tech – Cleveland Heights High School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Kroger – Atlanta Division | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Kroger – Central Fill | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Massillon Washington High School CTE | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Orange Community Education & Recreation Pepper Pike Learning Center | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| ProMedica Health System – Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Toledo | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Ross College | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Shroder High School | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| South-Western Career Academy | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Toledo Pre-Medical Health Science Academy | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| University Hospital – Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital – Pharmacy Technician Training | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| University Hospitals – Pharmacy Technician Training | Cleveland | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
Here are a few highly regarded schools offering accredited pharmacy technician programs in Ohio:
- Cuyahoga Community College: Offers a two-semester Pharmacy Technology Certificate program with Cleveland and Highland Hills campuses.
- Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology: A one-year program featuring a combination of online learning, simulated training, and hands-on externship experience.
These schools offer excellent training opportunities, preparing students for certification and enhancing their employability in various healthcare settings.
Certification and Registration in Ohio
Pharmacy technicians must complete training and pass an exam to work in Ohio. After completing an accredited program, you can pursue registration with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy as a certified or registered technician. Certification grants more responsibilities, such as handling more complex pharmacy tasks, while registered technicians assist with basic pharmacy operations.
- Certified Pharmacy Technician: Can perform advanced tasks such as compounding and preparing sterile products.
- Registered Technician: Handles basic tasks such as filling prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Technicians must renew their certification regularly. Certified technicians must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, while registered technicians must complete 10 hours annually.
Ohio Pharmacy Technician Employment and Trends
The median pharmacy technician in Ohio earns $40,650 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $36,650 and $48,200; the lowest tenth earn under $34,980 and the top tenth above $56,520. Ohio employs about 17,820 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Ohio run at 92.8% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $40,650 here buys what $43,816 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Ohio ranks 40 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, better than its headline wage suggests because living costs are below average.
Pharmacy technician employment in Ohio is projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, from about 19,760 jobs to 20,630 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 1,920 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 Ohio is growing more slowly than the country as a whole.
For more detailed employment statistics, refer to the local employment trends.
Pharmacy Technician Salary and Job Outlook in Ohio
Pharmacy technicians in Ohio earn competitive wages. According to recent data:
For more specific wage details in Ohio, check the Ohio Pharmacy Technician Wages, and for employment trends, visit the Ohio Employment Trends for Pharmacy Technicians.
FAQS
What are the top pharmacy technician schools in Ohio?
- Columbus State Community College – Columbus
- Marion Technical College – Marion
- North Central State College – Mansfield
- Washington State Community College – Marietta
- Cuyahoga Community College District – Cleveland
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Ohio?
To become a pharmacy technician in Ohio, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Complete hands-on training or attend an ASHP- or ACPE-accredited program.
- Pass the ExCPT or PCTE exam required by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Ohio?
Latest Ohio Posts from the Blog
- Studying Pharmacy Technology at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio
- Studying Pharmacy Technology at Columbus State Community College
- What’s the Best School for Pharmacy Technician Training in Cleveland, Ohio?
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Pharmacy Technician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Ohio Technical CollegeNewark, OH(740) 366-13511179 University DriveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,2562024-25 | $8,299 to $14,344by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Columbus State Community CollegeColumbus, OH(614) 287-5353550 E Spring StAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $5,4882024-25 | $5,386 to $11,476by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland, OH(800) 954-8742700 Carnegie AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $3,9582024-25 | $3,249 to $10,633by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health ScienceCincinnati, OH(513) 862-2631375 Dixmyth AveAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Private nonprofit | $15,4702023-24 | $15,375 to $26,345by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
James A. Rhodes State CollegeLima, OH(419) 995-80004240 Campus DrAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,5602024-25 | $6,839 to $12,989by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Lakewood UniversityCleveland Heights, OH(800) 517-08572231 North Taylor RoadAccredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission |
Private nonprofit | $10,4792023-24 | not published |
|
North Central State CollegeMansfield, OH(419) 755-48002441 Kenwood CircleAccredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,6242024-25 | $2,937 to $8,327by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Ross College-SylvaniaSylvania, OH(419) 882-32035834 Monroe Street, Suite F-JAccredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools |
Private for-profit | not published | $26,191 to $31,364by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Scioto County Career Technical CenterLucasville, OH(740) 259-5526951 Vern Riffe DriveAccredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $19,659 to $26,554by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH(937) 512-3000444 W. Third St.Accredited by Higher Learning Commission |
Public | $4,8092024-25 | $3,855 to $8,559by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Warren County Career CenterLebanon, OH(513) 932-81453525 North State Route 48Accredited by Council on Occupational Education |
Public | not published | $17,190 to $24,198by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
See options in the neighboring states of Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Michigan.