California Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Pharmacy technicians in California collect information from customers or medical professionals. They measure medications to fill prescriptions and package the medicine for customer pickup. This can be a rewarding job, as many customers rely on their medication to maintain their health and wellness. Other job duties include organizing inventory and noting shortages to bring to the pharmacist’s attention.

For those who like the idea of accepting payments, processing insurance claims, and answering customer questions, a career as a pharmacy technician may sound appealing. Skills needed for this job include knowledge of common medications, computer literacy, and customer service skills.

California Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

State requirements for pharmacy technicians vary. In California, pharmacy techs must register with the California State Board of Pharmacy in order to accept employment as a pharmacy tech.

After completing the education and training requirements, techs can fill out the application for a pharmacy technician license, updated in 2020. The application requires a photo, training documentation, fingerprints, and a self-query. Successful candidates for pharmacy tech positions will have completed a high school diploma or GED. There are also several educational requirements that are specific to pharmacology, including:

• Associates degree in pharmacy technology
• Training specified by the board of pharmacy
• Graduation from a pharmacy school approved by the board
• PTCB certification
• Passing a criminal background check

To obtain licensure in California, pharmacy techs must complete training specified by the Board of Pharmacy. There are three ways to accomplish this:

• Program approved by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists
• Federal military service pharmacy technology certification
• Courses that include a minimum of 240 instruction hours and including:
  • pharmacy practice settings
  • pharmaceutical terminology
  • dosage calculations
  • identification of drugs
  • prescription dispensing
  • drug manufacturing, labeling, and packaging

Although many states require certification for pharmacy technicians, California does not. The state’s lawbook has pharmacy regulations that provide additional details about the requirements for pharmacy technicians

California Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is a great place to be a pharmacy technician. There are over 36,500 pharmacy techs in the Golden State, and the average annual salary is $45,200, about $21.73 per hour. California is the highest paying state for this profession. Other high-paying pharmacy tech positions can be found in Alaska, Washington, the District of Columbia and Oregon.

Nine of the top 10 areas with the highest paying salaries are in California, including:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA at $51,090
2. Santa Rosa, CA at $50,790
3. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA at $50,070
4. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA at $49,280
5. Salinas, CA at $49,060

The BLS doesn’t break down the job outlook by state. However, it projects a 4% growth for the field through 2029. This tracks with the average for all jobs. This demand is based on a growing population of older adults who rely on prescription. With age, diabetes, chronic disease, and other health risks increase. Advances in research will increase the inventory of preventive medication and the demand for qualified pharmacy technicians. As pharmacists continue to assume new responsibilities for customer care, they will rely even more on pharmacy tech.

California Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs