In the state of California, getting a license from the California State Board of Pharmacy is necessary in order to work as a pharmacy technician. Education and experience are prerequisites for obtaining a license, in addition to filling out a comprehensive application.
What is required to be a pharmacy technician in California?
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% growth in the number of people employed in the field of pharmacy technology between the years 2019 and 2029. On the list of states in which the employment rate of pharmacy technicians is the greatest, the state of California comes in at number two.
- In addition to increased career opportunities and accessibility, this field also provides candidates with a flexible work environment and competitive compensation;
- In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual pay for pharmacy technicians in the United States was $33,950;
In the state of California, pharmacy technicians had an annual salary that was 10–15 percent more than the median earnings. San Francisco, Napa, San Jose, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa are among the highest paid locations in the United States. Community pharmacies, hospitals, retail chains, grocery shops, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes are some of the settings in which pharmacy technicians are employed.
- A Peak Performance Prerequisites for Obtaining a License to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in California In order to work legally as a pharmacy technician in the state of California, one has to get a license from the California State Board of Pharmacy;
The procedure of obtaining a license requires not only the completion of an official academic program that culminates in practical experience but also the filing of an official application with the Board. Educational requirements include successfully completing a pharmacy education program and presenting to the California State Board of Pharmacy one of the following documentations as proof that the program was successfully completed:
An Associate of Science Degree in Pharmacy Technology A degree or certificate earned from a recognized educational program that required at least 240 hours of classroom time to complete. A program that has been recognized as meeting the standards set by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) documents proving that the individual attended and graduated from a school of pharmacy that was recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board that is currently valid Certification through the Existing Pharmacy Technician Certification Program offered by the National Healthcare Association (ExCPT).
a certificate demonstrating successful completion of a training program for pharmacy technicians issued by a branch of the federal military
After receiving an application that is complete for a period of sixty days, the Board will award a license. Employers may use the “Verify a License” tab located on the Board’s website to conduct an online verification of the license.
- Age Requirement To be eligible for registration as a pharmacy technician in the state of California, applicants must be at least 18 years old;
- Education Requirement All candidates are required to demonstrate to the California State Board of Pharmacy that they have either a high school diploma or the equivalent of a GED;
A current PTCB or ExCPT certification or the successful completion of a recognized pharmacy technician school are also requirements for obtaining a license. Additional Prerequisites Before granting a license to practice, the California State Board of Pharmacy requires individuals who are interested in working as pharmacy technicians to undergo a thorough investigation of their criminal histories.
- It is possible that a criminal conviction would not constitute grounds for the rejection of a license;
- On the other hand, certain offenses make it more challenging to get a license;
- These include operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possessing illicit drugs or prescription pharmaceuticals without a valid prescription, possessing or selling illegal substances, committing larceny, and having numerous arrest warrants;
A case-by-case analysis is performed on each and every occurrence. The Parole Board will take into consideration the incident as well as any evidence of rehabilitation provided by the candidate before reaching a decision. This decision will be based on the nature and severity of the crime, the amount of time that has passed since the offense, compliance with the terms and conditions of parole, as well as any evidence of rehabilitation the candidate provides.
The Curriculum of the Pharmacy Technician Program The curriculum of the most reputable programs for pharmacy technicians consists of both theoretical classroom instruction and hands-on training. The program needs to fulfill the educational training requirements set forth by the Board for pharmacy technicians, cover the skills that employers are looking for, include plenty of hands-on practice both in the classroom and off-site, and be acknowledged by an agency that is responsible for the accreditation of educational institutions.
If you want to become certified as a pharmacy technician, accreditation can be a need for you to meet first. In the state of California, pharmacy technicians can choose from a number of different training programs. The Pharmacy Technician Certificate is by far the most popular choice since it is both the most inexpensive and the one that allows for the quickest entry into practice.
- There is a possibility that the associate degree program will cover the same fundamental classes as the certificate program, but it will also incorporate general education classes;
- There is a possibility that certain programs will give more in-depth studies than those that are offered in the certificate program;
The curriculum of each program will contain instruction geared toward assisting students in the acquisition of a body of knowledge that can assist pharmacists in the proper reception and distribution of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacy law and ethics, pharmacology, pharmacy, and medical terminology, customer service, pharmacy software, pharmacy math, recordkeeping, inventory management, prescription processing, and pharmacy operations are going to be some of the topics that will be covered.
Time and money invested The length of time it takes to complete the program to become a pharmacy technician varies according to the certification that is achieved and the type of learning school that is attended. Depending on the course load, certificate programs can be finished in anywhere from six to twelve months.
- Students who enroll in degree programs full-time should expect their studies to take up to two years;
- A longer amount of time is needed to complete the training for programs that require students to participate in an extended internship;
There are educational opportunities accessible at colleges and vocational institutes. There is also the possibility of receiving training through one’s employer, but this type of program is not nearly as common as it once was. The possibility to earn money while also advancing one’s education is one of the advantages offered by these programs.
Additionally, they are free, and after they are finished there is no need to look for work in the area. A full certificate program in California costs an average of $5,200. This fee covers clinical externships, textbooks, uniforms, and additional help from the outside.
The cost of degree programs offered by public schools might often be higher. When attending a private school, the price may be higher than $12,50. Students who qualify for financial help will see a big reduction in the amount of money they have to pay out of their own pockets.
- The National Examinations Certification is not a requirement for obtaining a license to practice pharmacy in California, as mandated by the State Board of Pharmacy;
- Having a national certification from the PTCB or ExCPT, on the other hand, will boost your chances of getting a job;
Nowadays, potential workers are expected to have it, and employers may even foot the bill for certification courses for their existing staff members. The Board will recognize certification from the PTCB as evidence that you have the skills necessary to perform the duties of a competent pharmacy technician.
Candidates who are successful in passing their examinations are awarded the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certificate by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Eligibility requirements include:
Completion of a pharmacy technician training program that is approved by the PTCB or comparable work experience is required (500 hours minimum) Complete disclosure of any and all disciplinary proceedings taken by the State Board of Pharmacy or other relevant agencies Attain all of the PTCB certification requirements that are relevant.
Participate in and succeed in the Certification Exam for Pharmacy Technicians. Make sure you pay the cost of $129.
The preliminary results that were offered to you once the test was finished give an idea of how well you performed on the test, but these scores are not official.
Approximately two to three weeks after the conclusion of the exam, the final results will be made public. Following this point in time, the PTCB will update your certification status, which may be checked on the website.
If you are successful in passing the test, the certificate will be made accessible for download on the PTCB dashboard. In order to keep one’s certificate current, the certification has to be updated every two years. The completion of 20 hours of continuing education is required for recertification.
- The ICPT is responsible for the creation and development of the ExCPT exam;
- In order to be qualified to take the ExCPT, you will need to have:
You must be at least 18 years old; - You should have at least a high school diploma or a GED;
Either have successfully completed a training program or have a minimum of 12 months of experience working in a pharmacy-related field, both of which must have been done within the preceding 36 months of the application date. Participate in and succeed in the ExCPT test.
Make sure you have $105 for the exam cost.
Preparation for both the PTCB and the ExCPT tests is typically a component of pharmacy technician training programs. How to Obtain an Application for Your State License Candidates for licensing are required to be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or an equivalent credential, such as the GED.
Every applicant is required to provide evidence that they possess the skills necessary to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician. This might be shown by the completion of a training program that has been approved, or through certification from the PTCB or ExCPT.
- The Board takes up to 45 days for the application to be processed once it has been filed;
- Any errors that were found in the application will be mailed to the applicant with instructions on how to correct them within one month;
Using the “Verify a License” tool on the California Department of Pharmacy’s website (www.pharmacy.ca.gov), you may check to see if your license has been issued. Application for Pharmacy Technician Position:
Before you start filling out the application, make sure you go over the instructions.
- Completing the application for licensing and sending it in to the Board of Pharmacy are both required steps;
- Include a check or money order for $195 that is made out to the California State Board of Pharmacy;
Please include this with your application. The application fee is not refundable under any circumstances. The name that appears on the form must be an exact match for the name that appears on the driver’s license as well as on any other papers, including the Self-Query Report, the Live Scan form, and fingerprint cards.
Use N/A if the question does not apply. Please fill out the form in its entirety. Put your name and the date on the application. Page one of the application requires a photograph that is in the format of a passport.
Please provide a copy of your high school diploma or GED. Include a self-query report from the National Practitioner Data Bank that is signed and sealed in its original form along with the attached pharmacy technician documents, which include an affidavit of completed coursework leading to graduation as a pharmacy technician, PTCB certification, ExCPT certification, or military training.
It needs to be dated within sixty days of when the application was submitted. Finish either a Live Scan (required for California residents) or a fingerprint scan, or both (for non-residents)
Renewal Notices of renewal are distributed by the Board of Pharmacy around ninety days before the day that the license would become invalid.
The application for renewal can also be obtained by downloading it from the Board’s website. Renew by use the following methods:
Fill out the application for renewal and include a check or money order made payable to the California State Board of Pharmacy with your submission.
If you submit your renewal application before the expiration date, the charge is $195. For overdue renewals, a delinquent fee in the amount of $97.50 will be imposed. Check the box that says “Yes” if you have been subject to any form of disciplinary action against any government-issued license since your last renewal, or “No” if you have not.
If there have been any changes to your email or residence since your last renewal, you will need to check the box that says “Yes.”
Licenses that are not renewed within the allotted time frame of sixty days after the expiration date are subject to cancellation.
How much do pharmacy technicians make California?
The pay that is earned by a pharmacy technician in the state of California is much greater than the average compensation earned across the country by thirty percent. In contrast to the national average income of $36,450, a pharmacy technician in the state of California makes an annual compensation of $47,620.
Is pharmacy technician certification required in California?
The Pharmacy Technician Licensing and Certification Board of the State of California has developed the processes that must be followed in order to get certified. It is required that you hold a valid pharmacy technician license in the state of California if you wish to work in the field of pharmacy technology.
How long does it take to get a California pharmacy tech license?
How Much Time Does It Take Before You Can Start Working in a Pharmacy? – The duration of the program varies according on the specific school and degree being pursued. Depending on the route you choose for your professional life, the training to become a pharmacy technician might take anywhere from nine months to two years to finish.
How long does it take to become a pharmacist in California?
A pharmacy technician needs no more than a two-year education at the most, whereas a pharmacist is required to have a doctorate-level degree, along with approximately eight years of post-high school education and numerous internships and certifications, but a pharmacy tech does not need to have any of these things.