BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN VIRGINIA
An interest in the healthcare field doesn’t have to lead to medical school. Those eager to begin working as soon as possible might be interested in becoming pharmacy technicians. In this role, you’ll dispense prescriptions, manage inventory, and complete other administrative tasks to support licensed pharmacists and patients. The requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician vary by state, and this short guide will tell you what you need to know about working in Virginia. [Leer en español]
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
Pharmacy technicians must register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, complete a Board-certified training program and pass a Board-approved exam before beginning work in the state. Technicians who are currently enrolled in an approved program can work for nine months before taking the exam. You must be at least 18 years old and agree to a criminal background check to register with the state Board.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian College of Pharmacy | Oakwood | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Germanna Community College | Locust Grove | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Norfolk Technical Center | Norfolk | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | 250 / 5 experiential |
| Richmond Technical Center | University Of Richmond | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | 401 total, 120 experiential |
| Tidewater Community College – Portsmouth | Norfolk | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville | CPhT | Yes | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Academies of Loudoun | Leesburg | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare | Henrico | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Bridging Communities Governor's STEM Academy | New Kent | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Carilion Clinic – Roanoke Memorial Hospital Pharmacy Technician Training | Roanoke | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Chesapeake Career Center | Chesapeake | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Falls Church | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | 400 total, 120 experiential |
| Frederick County Public Schools | Winchester | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Inova Health System | Fairfax | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Tidewater Community College – Suffolk | Portsmouth | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| UVA Health Department of Pharmacy Services – Pharmacy Technician Training | Charlottesville | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Virginia Beach City Public Schools Technical and Career Education Center | Virginia Beach | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy Pharmacy Technician Training Program | Richmond | CPhT | Yes | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Chester Career College | Chester | CPhT | Conditional | Listed in federal programme data | Not published |
| Danville Community College | Danville | CPhT | Candidate | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Buchanan County Career Technology and Higher Learning Center | Grundy | CPhT | Candidate | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Gretna Drug Company Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Program | Gretna | CPhT | Candidate | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Montgomery County Public School | Christianburg | CPhT | Conditional | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| New Horizons Regional Education Centers – Newport News | Newport News | CPhT | Conditional | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Pulaski County High School Career and Technical Education Program | Dublin | CPhT | Approved | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
State Board-approved pharmacy technician training programs are offered at technical schools and community colleges throughout Virginia. These pharmacy technician programs teach the basics of pharmacy operations and prepare students to sit for national licensing exams. Your options include:
Chester Career College
Chester’s diploma program combines classroom instruction and externship experience to help students learn. The course teaches essential skills, such as customer service and communication, in addition to technical knowledge. Request enrollment information on the school website.
Stratford University
Stratford offers a 20-class associate’s degree program that prepares students to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Each class takes between five and 10 weeks to complete, and students may attend on-campus or online sessions.
American National University
Students can complete American National University’s program in as little as 10 months. The course is designed to easily combine with other healthcare programs, such as the university’s medical assisting degree, and all students receive free career advising. Request enrollment information on the school website.
RECEIVING YOUR NATIONAL LICENSE
Pharmacy technicians must complete five hours of continuing education and renew their registration with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy each year. To receive your initial license, you must pass the Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam, which consists of 50 questions, or the National Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
If you choose to receive your national certification by taking the ExCPT test, you will become a Certified Pharmacy Technician and be allowed to take on additional responsibilities at work. You may also qualify for higher-paying jobs. To take the ExCPT exam, you must be within 30 days of receiving a high school diploma or GED, complete a technician training program and pay a fee of $115.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION BOARD
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers a national certification known as the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. You can become a CPhT by passing the PTCB exam, which consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as pharmacy law, medication safety, and pharmacy calculations. To qualify, you must have a high school diploma or GED, complete a pharmacy technician training program and pay a fee of $129.
The PTCB also offers a recertification exam for technicians who need to renew their certification every two years. To be eligible, you must have completed 20 hours of continuing education and paid a recertification fee of $89.
SALARY AND CAREER EXPECTATIONS IN VIRGINIA
The median pharmacy technician in Virginia earns $44,610 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $37,960 and $49,150; the lowest tenth earn under $36,260 and the top tenth above $59,030. Virginia employs about 10,720 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Virginia run at 101.1% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $44,610 here buys what $44,123 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Virginia ranks 37 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, which is lower than its headline wage suggests because living costs are above average.
Pharmacy technician employment in Virginia is projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, from about 10,210 jobs to 10,580 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 970 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 Virginia is growing more slowly than the country as a whole.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN VIRGINIA
Pharmacy technicians typically work in healthcare facilities, including independent and chain drugstores, nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics. Many of these locations are open at night and on the weekends, so you should expect to have a nontraditional schedule.
You should also be comfortable standing for long periods and moving heavy containers of inventory.
While higher-paying jobs are typically found in large cities like Richmond, which offer salaries that match the high cost of living, pharmacy technicians can find work throughout Virginia.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Virginia?
- Chester Career College, Chester
- Stratford University, Fairfax
- ECPI University, Virginia Beach
- American National University, Salem
How do you become a pharmacy technician in Virginia?
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have a high school diploma or GED
- Pass a criminal record check
- Complete a Virginia Board of Pharmacy-approved training program
- Pass a Board-approved exam
- Register with the Board
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Virginia?
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College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Pharmacy Technician programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chester Career CollegeChester, VA(804) 751-9191751 WEST HUNDRED ROAD147 undergraduates, fall 2023 | Private for-profit | priced per program | $21,237 to $30,480by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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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.
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
Residents of Virginia may also wish to review their options in Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.