How to become a pharmacy technician?

[longlashes]

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone can help me out here. My brother in law wants to become a pharmacy technician but doesn't know where/what to do. Does he have to take courses at community college or vocational school? Can't he just study on his own and take the exam? According to the Board of Pharmacy you just have to meet one of the following:

1. Have obtained an associate of arts degree in pharmacy technology.
2. Have completed a course of training specified by the board (typically provided by employers under requirements of California Code of Regulations Section 1793.6 (provided below)).
3. Have graduated from a school of pharmacy approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or recognized by the board.
4. Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. California Code of Regulations section 1793.6 describes the training courses acceptable to the board (item 2 above).

But then how come #4 relays to #2. Does that mean he has to take courses in order to take the exam? Honestly, he doesn't have money for courses. We live in California btw. Thank you for your help everyone!!🙂

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[pvaiyapu]

Look for private pharmacies in the area... that's what i did and recently started as a pharmacy technician..they wont look for a certified pharmacy technician...

 

[longlashes]

But he's looking to do it long term so becoming certified is better for him. We just don't know whether or not it's required to take a year's worth of classes or can he just study on his own and take the exam...anyone?

 

[UNMorBUST]

Have him apply to companys like walgreens. In some places in the country they will hire him with no certification. He can work there for something like 18 months and they will pay for the cost of the test to become certified. Also he can also just get study books and take the test without taking the courses at a CC or Vocational school.

 

[Isoprop]

all other states except CA don't require certification. CA is the only state AFAIK that requires certification. and the cert exam, i'm told, is really easy. my gf got certified after studying for a week maybe.

most employers consider the certification a joke and value experience over the certification. in CA, your brother prob should take a 1-3 month vocational school to "train" you for the cert exam but make sure it has some sort of externship program where he is working as an actual tech. the cert is almost worthless, but the experience will be helpful when he is certified.

the alternative is to move out of state and just apply to walgreens, cvs, or some supermarket with a pharmacy and ask them to train you. probably be making close to minimum wage.

either way, after 1-2 years of experience, switch to clinical. there's more money in clinical.

 

[mochiko]

Please ignore everyone that has previously posted as they do not have experience becoming a tech in California personally. I recently got licensed to be a pharmacy tech back in April of this year, so I can give you exact information. Here is a post I made earlier about becoming a tech in California:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7102126&postcount=12

Let me clarify that certification is not needed to work in California. A pharmacy tech license is required. Certification is only one means of reaching that end in California. The other two ways of qualifying is finish a tech course or training in the armed forces. So to answer your post specifically, he does not need to take any courses... just pass the PTCB exam and then apply for the license.