Information for Pharmacy Technician Certification in Florida
Pharmacy technicians aid pharmacists in dispensing medications, and they usually work in retail pharmacies or hospital settings. Along with organizing inventory and packaging/labeling medications, pharmacy technicians also help customers with insurance claims and enter customer information into computer systems. In certain states, they can call physicians to request refills and can mix some types of medications.
While pharmacy technicians generally only need a high school diploma to enter the profession, many choose to complete a postsecondary educational program. Usually, these types of programs lead to a certificate, diploma, or sometimes an associate degree. Further, pharmacy technicians in Florida must be licensed. Requirements for licensure include being at least 17 years old and completing a board-approved pharmacy technician training program.
Requirements for Pharmacy Technician Certification
While some states require certification, Florida does not. However, earning a certification can boost your job prospects. Two organizations offer pharmacy technician certification, including the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Offered by PTCB, this certification requires that you pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, which covers such topics as:
- Generic medications
- Drug interactions
- Side effects and allergies to medications
- Patient safety
- Medications formulas and calculations
- Federal requirements
To be eligible for the exam, you must complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or have 500 hours of pharmacy technician experience.
Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT)
NHA also offers CPhT certification. It requires that you pass the multiple-choice Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), which includes content related to:
- Laws and regulations
- Drug classification
- Dispensing prescriptions
- Medication safety
To qualify for this exam, you must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and must have completed a training program, an apprenticeship program, or a military medical training program. However, you can also substitute the training program requirement with at least 1 year of supervised work experience.
List of Online Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Programs
Students wanting to attend an online pharmacy technician program in Florida have some options. However, these types of online programs typically cannot be completed fully online, as some require in-person classes, practicums, or externships that place you in a pharmacy setting. To apply to an online pharmacy technician program, you generally need only a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida offers a partially online pharmacy technician course that is especially for working professionals who are looking for a career change. This course is also designed to prepare students for the National Pharmacy Technician Board Exam, and it is a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)-Recognized Education/Training Program. Students must complete 84 hours of classroom work, some of which can be completed online, and most classes are held on Saturdays or in the evening. Students are also eligible to complete an 80-hour externship.
Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College, which has campus locations in Florida, has an online Pharmacy Technician Certificate program that requires 38 credits in coursework that covers such topics as pharmacology, medical terminology, and pharmacy calculations. Online classes utilize interactive sessions and virtual labs, and students must also complete either an in-person pharmacy practicum that places them in a retail setting or a virtual practicum. This program's curriculum is designed to prepare students to take either the PTCE or the ExCPT.
Altierus Career College
At their Tampa campus, Altierus Career College offers a blended online/on-campus Pharmacy Technician Diploma program that can be completed in only 9 months. This diploma program features a format where students generally spend 3 days per week on-campus for hands-on learning and then complete coursework and assignments at home on their own time. Additionally, students must complete a 200-hour externship. Designed around the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) guidelines, this program includes the study of pharmacy operations, drug distribution systems, and pharmacy calculations and prepares students for the PTCE and ExCPT exams.
Mayo Clinic
At the Mayo Clinic, which has a campus in Jacksonville, students can earn a partially online Pharmacy Technician Certificate that features a format of online coursework, in-person simulation courses, on-campus labs, and clinical rotations that take place in a pharmacy. Typically, students can earn this certificate in only 20 weeks. This certificate program has received accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and it's recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
There are several options for students who want to complete a pharmacy technician training program in Florida through a partially online format. After completing their program, students can then choose to earn certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
