To become a pharmacy technician, the requirements vary by state, but in general, the following are needed:
- Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
- Education: Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
- Training: Pharmacy technicians-in-training must complete an initial training developed by the pharmacist manager in the place of employment.
- Position: Candidates must have a position in a pharmacy within the state.
- Technical knowledge and skills: Pharmacy technicians must possess technical knowledge and skills to perform the tasks required of them.
While there is no national educational standard for pharmacy technicians, the field is trending towards requiring postsecondary education. A certificate or diploma program can provide the foundation needed to become a pharmacy technician, and many programs require exams that show candidates meet standards for math and English. Many also require a background check and/or drug screening. The curriculum for these programs includes pharmacy calculation, pharmacy law, and simulated and/or hands-on experience putting knowledge into practice. The time to complete these programs is typically 4-5 months or 2 semesters.
