Is it possible?

[RxQueen12]

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I was wondering if it is possible to get a Pharm Tech license without actually doing Pharm Tech school or working at a pharmacy already? I ask this because I'm trying to get a job at a pharmacy, for the experience, and I know having the certification increases my chances of getting hired.

This may already be somewhere on this forum, but I wanted to ask because I know sometimes these things are different from state to state and it didn't say anywhere on my state's website about licensure that you had to go to Pharm Tech school, or have the experience. But anyway, I live in Michigan, if that helps. Sorry if this is a repeat question as I know some people get annoyed by that. Thanks so much. 🙂

 

[JamesL1585]

I was wondering if it is possible to get a Pharm Tech license without actually doing Pharm Tech school or working at a pharmacy already? I ask this because I'm trying to get a job at a pharmacy, for the experience, and I know having the certification increases my chances of getting hired.

This may already be somewhere on this forum, but I wanted to ask because I know sometimes these things are different from state to state and it didn't say anywhere on my state's website about licensure that you had to go to Pharm Tech school, or have the experience. But anyway, I live in Michigan, if that helps. Sorry if this is a repeat question as I know some people get annoyed by that. Thanks so much. 🙂

Hi,

Yes its very possible. I got this book from a friend (really apologize as its been so long and I passed the book along to someone else who never returned it) and I read it in 3 days, it was very specific to what was on the exam and I passed the first time after reading it. So why don't you try to search for good pharmacy tech certification books.

Also another thing is, make 100% sure you understand the law in your state. I know when I lived in Texas, I had to take the PTCB board exam to get a license. But in Illinois, you can simply apply for a license without taking any exam and you don't have to be PTCB certified at all. Hope this helps.

 

[RxQueen12]

Hi,

Yes its very possible. I got this book from a friend (really apologize as its been so long and I passed the book along to someone else who never returned it) and I read it in 3 days, it was very specific to what was on the exam and I passed the first time after reading it. So why don't you try to search for good pharmacy tech certification books.

Also another thing is, make 100% sure you understand the law in your state. I know when I lived in Texas, I had to take the PTCB board exam to get a license. But in Illinois, you can simply apply for a license without taking any exam and you don't have to be PTCB certified at all. Hope this helps.

ohmygosh! thank you sooo much! I thought for sure that I'd have to pay more money to take some silly classes for pharm tech licensure. 😀

 

[bacillus1]

I guess whether one has to be certified to be a tech depends on the state, but from my experience I've seen that in states where you don't have to get certified, certification doesn't do that much to make one stand out for a tech app, it's more of whether you are able to work the exact schedule that the RPh wants. Also, pharmacists often like interns over certified techs (the school is vouching for their criminal record and whatnot).
And if you think certified tech=more pay, forget it (at least, where I am). Even new interns at my store are working at basic tech pay because the chain company doesn't want to pay intern pay to anyone right now since they already have an intern (me) at the store.

I think that you can do a certification course after you're hired, maybe then they'll raise your pay a little since you're certified and you've proven to be a valuable employee.

 

[RxQueen12]

I guess whether one has to be certified to be a tech depends on the state, but from my experience I've seen that in states where you don't have to get certified, certification doesn't do that much to make one stand out for a tech app, it's more of whether you are able to work the exact schedule that the RPh wants. Also, pharmacists often like interns over certified techs (the school is vouching for their criminal record and whatnot).
And if you think certified tech=more pay, forget it (at least, where I am). Even new interns at my store are working at basic tech pay because the chain company doesn't want to pay intern pay to anyone right now since they already have an intern (me) at the store.

I think that you can do a certification course after you're hired, maybe then they'll raise your pay a little since you're certified and you've proven to be a valuable employee.

In Michigan, you have to be certified to be a Pharmacy Technician. You can work as a Pharmacy Clerk without being certified, but I'm pretty sure that you get paid more to be the technician versus the clerk. But the way I look at it, if I'm already certified, my application will get looked at before someone who isn't, because then they don't have to worry about the hassle of training me and whatnot. I just thought before, that for some reason I would have to take classes to get certified, or work at a job that will get me certified. And obviously any pharmacy experience is going to help me get into pharmacy school. I'm just looking to get in, I don't really care if I make more than the clerk, or not. I'm highly capable of doing well in any job I get and getting raises that way.

 

[JamesL1585]

In Michigan, you have to be licensed to be a Pharmacy Technician. You can work as a Pharmacy Clerk without being licensed, but I'm pretty sure that you get paid more to be the technician versus the clerk. But the way I look at it, if I'm already certified, my application will get looked at before someone who isn't, because then they don't have to worry about the hassle of training me and whatnot. I just thought before, that for some reason I would have to take classes to get certified, or work at a job that will get me certified. And obviously any pharmacy experience is going to help me get into pharmacy school. I'm just looking to get in, I don't really care if I make more than the clerk, or not. I'm highly capable of doing well in any job I get and getting raises that way.

But note what certification means in your state. In Illinois, certification means that you tell the state you want to be a technician, you pay $30 to the state to say I'm going to be a technician then your license comes in and your "certified" (so theres no test).

In Texas, you have to take the PTCB exam to be "certified".

 

[RxQueen12]

But note what certification means in your state. In Illinois, certification means that you tell the state you want to be a technician, you pay $30 to the state to say I'm going to be a technician then your license comes in and your "certified" (so theres no test).

In Texas, you have to take the PTCB exam to be "certified".

Okay, so I've looked more into this and in the State of Michigan you do not have to be "licensed/registered" to be a tech, but, like texas, you have to take the PTCB exam to become "certified".

 

[cschellh]

In Michigan you do NOT have to be certified to be a tech. I am a tech.. and not certified.

Not to say that it isn't easier to get a job if you are certified.. but it is not necessarily a requirement

🙂 😀

 

[RxQueen12]

In Michigan you do NOT have to be certified to be a tech. I am a tech.. and not certified.

Not to say that it isn't easier to get a job if you are certified.. but it is not necessarily a requirement

🙂 😀

Oh for sure. I'm just doing it so I may have a better chance at getting hired.