Ohio Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Thinking of breaking into the healthcare industry? Those looking to find gainful employment as pharmacy technicians in the state of Ohio are required to follow certain steps. Many of these steps are mandated by Federal law and industry regulation. Ohio, like many other states, may require other steps in addition. Our guide simplifies what you need to know and helps you in the process of becoming a pharmacy technician in Ohio.

Ohio Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Pharmacy technician certification in Ohio requires that you fulfill the following list of criteria:

• The minimum application age in Ohio is 18 years old
• You must have a high school diploma or GED and provide evidence of this. Those who worked as a pharmacy technician before April 2009 are exempt from this requirement
• The applicant must be currently training for or completed a relevant state-approved study program
• The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy requires that you have passed a relevant examination. Ohio accepts both ExCPT and PTCB
• You are required to submit to a criminal background check to confirm any criminal history related to controlled substances
• Ohio has three types of application: certification, registration, and trainee
• Registration is only required for those who will take on extra responsibilities. Check the state details for a full breakdown of what each may do
• A $50 application fee is applicable against certification and registration types; for trainees, the cost is $25. Renewal does not include applications in Ohio, just payment of the fee. All types run until March 31 and fees must be paid before this deadline
• Paper applications were phased out in 2018; this process is now online only

Special note 1: Criminal background checks will only be executed once the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy has received all relevant details

Special note 2: Transfers from other states are not permissible. The applicant should follow the steps above as though newly applying

Ohio Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in its 2019 data that Ohio has 16,470 trainee, registered, or certified pharmacy technicians. Average pay rates for this state were $14.52 per hour as a median rate, $15.08 per hour as a mean rate, and $31,360 as an average annual salary.

Most pharmacy technicians in Ohio will work in drug stores and pharmacies with 51% of registered/certified people working in that type of environment. A further 17% work in clinical facilities and settings such as hospitals and clinics. 9% work in non-clinical and non-dedicated outlets such as supermarkets and health stores where a pharmacy might operate a counter.

As some patients require emergency prescriptions, pharmacies operate 24/7. This means pharmacy technicians can expect to work some unsociable hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The BLS report projects employment growth for pharmacy techs at 4% between 2019 and 2029. That is about as fast as all jobs in the U.S. over the same period.

Ohio Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs