Pharmacy Technician Certificate
At a Glance
Prescribe Yourself a Rewarding Future
Our Pharmacy Technician certificate training program combines engaging classroom lectures with an interactive virtual experience and hands-on practice in a fully equipped mock pharmacy–stocked with the top 200 drugs–with a sterile compounding hood and all the tools commonly used in the pharmacy setting.
Approx. Number of Hours/Months:
105 hours/3 months
Schedule:
Offered Fall & Spring; evening classes
Program Cost:*
$1,566 (plus cost of exam); Tuition Assistance Available
Certification Earned:
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Min. Occupational Requirements:
Pharmacy Technicians must be registered to work in Maryland
What You’ll Learn
In Carroll’s Pharmacy Technician program, you’ll build the essential knowledge and skills employers expect in today’s pharmacies, including:
- Medical terminology & pharmaceutical calculations
- Routes & formulations of medications
- Hospital & community pharmacy operations (including prescriptions and pharmacy law)
- Inventory management, reimbursement plans & patient safety practices
- Pharmacokinetics & medication safety
You’ll also get hands-on training in:
- Sterile compounding & aseptic technique
- Non-sterile compounding
This combination of classroom and practical experience prepares you to step confidently into real-world pharmacy settings.
Curriculum
View all current course offerings. Not all courses are offered within every term schedule.
Prepare to enter the fast-growing field of pharmacy as a pharmacy technician with employment opportunities in retail, home care or hospital settings. Learn the practice of pharmacy and prepare to take a national pharmacy technician certification exam. Begin your review of the top 200 drugs. Learn about pharmaceutical calculations, dosage unit conversions, medical terminology, controlled substances, and pharmacy law, regulations and ethics. Training includes a virtual component and practical experience working in a mock pharmacy. A strong foundation in math and computer concepts is recommended. High school diploma or GED® required for employment and certification exam. You must register for Pharmacy Technician Training I and II together, and courses must be taken consecutively. Veterans: Pharmacy Technician Training is an approved program for Veterans Education Benefits. Call 410-386-8100 for more information.
Complete your review of the top 200 drugs and continue practicing in the mock pharmacy. Learn about aseptic technique, sterile and nonsterile compounding, medication safety, inventory management, OSHA regulations and durable medical equipment. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pharmacy Technician Training I.
Licensure/Certification Earned
This course prepares you to sit for one of the national pharmacy technician certification exams: the PTCE offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the ExCPT offered by the National Healthcareer Association. Passing either exam gives the designation of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Carroll’s PTCE pass rate exceeds the national average.
Financial Assistance
Carroll provided me with the solid foundation I needed to successfully change career tracks at 61 years old!
Why Choose Carroll’s Pharmacy Technician training?
- Fast & Affordable: Get job-ready skills in just 3 months, without the burden of student debt.
- Hands-On Experience: Train in a fully equipped mock pharmacy with real tools, top medications, and compounding hoods used in the field.
- Expert Instructors: Learn from health care professionals with years of pharmacy & clinical experience.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Developed with input from pharmacy & healthcare employers, so you gain the skills the industry needs right now. View our Advisory Boards.
- Career-Focused Training: Prepare to sit for the national certification exam and to fill entry-level Pharmacy Technician roles.
Career Outlook
Pharmacy Technicians are in steady demand across the country as the healthcare industry continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Each year, there are expected to be about 49,000 Pharmacy Technician job openings nationwide.
Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Entry-level wages typically start between $36,000 and $40,000, with potential for higher earnings through certification, experience, or specialized roles such as sterile compounding or hospital pharmacy.
With the right training and certification, Pharmacy Technicians can advance to leadership or supervisory positions, or pursue further education in healthcare. It’s a rewarding career path for those looking to make a difference in patients’ lives while working in a fast-growing, in-demand field.
- What does a Pharmacy Technician do?
Pharmacy Technicians assist pharmacists by preparing and dispensing medications, managing inventory, processing insurance claims, and providing customer service in retail, hospital, or long-term care settings. - What hours do Pharmacy Technicians have?
Working hours may span day, evening, night, and weekend shifts depending on the facility. - Is financial assistance available?
Yes! This program is eligible for tuition assistance. - What is the hourly pay for Clinical Medical Assistants?
The average wage for Pharmacy Technicians is $17 an hour. (Wages are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are estimates only.)
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Get Started Today
410-386-8100 | wbce@carrollcc.edu | Building A, Room 115
*Unless noted, cost does not include any required textbooks and related materials, applicable licensing fees, background check fees, testing fees or prerequisite courses.