If you're searching for how to become a pharmacy technician, you're in the right place. Becoming a pharmacy technician is one of the fastest, most affordable paths into the healthcare field. This 2025 guide walks you through everything you need to start your career in the USA—including state requirements, pharmacy technician training programs, PTCB certification, salary expectations, and where to find pharmacy technician jobs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to become a pharmacy technician in the United States, from education and certification to job outlook and salary expectations. Whether you're fresh out of high school, switching careers, or an immigrant seeking U.S. employment, this guide covers everything you need.

1. What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

A major part of learning how to become a pharmacy technician is understanding what the role involves. 

A pharmacy technician supports pharmacists by preparing medications, managing inventory, entering prescriptions, communicating with patients, and handling insurance claims. 

As you follow the steps to become a pharmacy technician, you’ll gain the skills needed for retail, hospital, long-term care, and specialty pharmacy settings.

                 ✨ Ready to start your pharmacy technician career?                                                           👉 Search Jobs on Pharm Techs Only!

2. Is Pharmacy Technician a Good Career Choice?

Yes—here’s why:

Job Stability: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% growth in pharmacy technician employment from 2022 to 2032.

Quick Entry: You can start working in under a year in many states.

Career Pathways: There are opportunities to specialize (e.g., sterile compounding, inventory management) or grow into supervisory or training roles.

Solid Pay: With the right certification and experience, pharmacy technician salary potential is strong—more on that below.

Nationwide Demand: There are thousands of job openings across the U.S.

3. Step-by-Step: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in the USA

Each state sets its own pharmacy technician requirements, but the general path follows these steps:

Step 1: Obtain a High School Diploma or GED

This is the minimum requirement in all U.S. states. If you haven’t completed this step, prioritize it first.

Step 2: Understand Your State's Requirements

Each state board of pharmacy sets different regulations. Some states require certification, registration, or specific training programs. 👉 Check your state’s laws here.

Step 3: Enroll in a Pharmacy Technician Training Program (if required)

Some employers provide on-the-job training, but many prefer candidates with formal education. Look for programs that are:

Accredited by ASHP/ACPE (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)

Offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or online platforms

Typically 6 months to 1 year in length

Step 4: Complete a Background Check (as required)

Most states and employers require a criminal background check and may include a drug screening.

Step 5: Register with the State Board of Pharmacy (if applicable)

Some states require technicians to register before employment. Others require you to be certified first.

Step 6: Obtain National Pharmacy Technician Certification

Though not required in every state, getting certified significantly improves your job prospects and earning potential.

The most recognized national certifications:

PTCB Certification: Offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

ExCPT Certification: Offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

We’ll dive deeper into these options below.

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4. Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

National certification gives you credibility, mobility, and a competitive edge in hiring.

➤ PTCB Certification (CPhT)

The PTCB certification is the gold standard in the industry. Here's what you need to know:

Eligibility:

High school diploma or equivalent

Full disclosure of criminal and disciplinary history

Compliance with PTCB certification policies

Completion of a recognized training program OR equivalent work experience (500+ hours)

Exam:

90 multiple-choice questions

2 hours to complete

Topics: Medications, Federal Laws & Regulations, Order Entry & Processing, and Patient Safety

Recertification:

Every 2 years

Requires 20 hours of Continuing Education (CE), including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 in patient safety

Cost: $129 (as of 2025)

More info: ptcb.org

➤ ExCPT Certification

Offered by the NHA, it's a respected alternative with a similar structure.

Cost: $125 Recertification: Every 2 years with 20 CE hours

5. Pharmacy Technician Salary Expectations

As you explore how to become a pharmacy technician, it’s helpful to understand your salary can vary widely depending on:

Location (state/city)

Certification status

Years of experience

Workplace setting (retail vs. hospital vs. specialty)

According to the BLS:

Median Salary (2023): $40,120/year or ~$19.30/hour

Top 10% earn more than $54,000/year

Certified pharmacy technicians earn on average 15-20% more than uncertified peers

💡 Tip: Want to maximize your earning potential? Pursue certification, specialize in high-demand roles (e.g., compounding, IV preparation), or work in hospital settings.

👉 Find FREE CEUs for Pharmacy Technicians

6. Where to Find Pharmacy Technician Jobs

Once you know how to become a pharmacy technician, the next step is finding your first job.

 There’s no shortage of job boards, but not all are designed for pharmacy techs. That’s where we come in.

At Pharm Techs Only!, we’ve built the only global job board and career network specifically for pharmacy technicians.

✔️ Search jobs by state ✔️ Upload your resume and make it visible to hiring managers ✔️ Apply with one click

Explore Jobs Here

Other job search sites to consider:

Indeed

LinkedIn

Hospital career pages

CVS, Walgreens, and other retail chains

📈 7. Continuing Education and Career Growth

Pharmacy technicians have multiple pathways for growth:

➤ Advanced Certifications

Once certified, you can specialize further:

Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)

Medication History Technician

Immunization Administration (in select states)

➤ Continuing Education (CE)

Required for recertification, CE also helps you stay competitive and up to date with changes in pharmacy practice.

At Pharm Techs Only!, we make it easy to Find FREE CEUs.

➤ Career Advancement

With experience and additional training, pharmacy technicians can become:

Lead techs

Inventory managers

Pharmacy operations coordinators

Trainers and educators

Transition into roles in insurance, informatics, or regulatory affairs

You may even go on to become a pharmacist!

                  Want more pharmacy technician guides like this?                                               👉 Explore More Helpful Blogs 

8. Final Thoughts and Resources

Becoming a pharmacy technician in the USA is one of the most accessible entry points into the healthcare field. With minimal educational barriers, growing demand, and competitive pay, it’s an excellent career path for those who want to make a difference.

To recap:

✅ Earn your high school diploma or GED ✅ Learn your state’s requirements ✅ Get trained and certified (PTCB certification is highly recommended) ✅ Apply for jobs, gain experience, and grow your career ✅ Stay certified and continue learning

Ready to get started?

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