Iowa Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification
Pharmacy technicians work under pharmacists providing vital service to customers needing prescription medications. With a growing need for healthcare, Iowa is a great state to get started as a pharmacy technician. Each state in the U.S. sets its own rules and requirements for pharmacy technician certification in line with Federal law. This means that while laws between different states are similar, they are not always identical. There are specific licensing and certification requirements in Iowa that an applicant must fulfill to work as a pharmacy technician. Read on to learn more.
2026 Best Pharmacy Technician Programs in Iowa
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA - Public 2-Year - nwicc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northwest Iowa Community College's Pharmacy Technician program is a flexible two-semester course available online and on-campus, ideal for students at various life stages. It emphasizes hands-on practicum experience in pharmacology, medication preparation, and patient care, aligning with Iowa's certification standards. The program boasts an 80% pass rate on the national certification exam and offers financial aid, including the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship for eligible students, which can cover tuition. Graduates are well-equipped for roles in local or hospital pharmacies, with diploma and certificate options to suit different career paths.
- Two semesters program length.
- Offered both online and on-campus.
- Prepares for national certification exam.
- 80% pass rate on certification exam.
- Future Ready Iowa Scholarship eligible.
- Hands-on practicum experience included.
- Focus on pharmacology and patient care.
- Accessible to students at various life stages.
- Financial aid and scholarships available.
- Diploma and certificate options available.
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA - Private 4-year - sau.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Visit Website
Saint Ambrose University's online Pharmacy Technician Certificate is a Roman Catholic, military-friendly program that can be completed in just 2-4 months with a 15-20 hour weekly commitment. This comprehensive $4,000 program prepares students for PTCB certification through focused training in pharmacy terminology, prescription interpretation, and medication management. Designed for recent high school graduates and healthcare newcomers, it offers flexible payment plans and provides a swift pathway into the growing pharmacy technician field without requiring entrance exams.
- Online certificate program
- 2-4 months course length
- 15-20 hours weekly commitment
- Prepares for PTCB certification
- $4,000 total program cost
- Flexible payment plans available
- Suitable for healthcare newcomers
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA - Public 2-Year - dmacc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Visit Website
Des Moines Area Community College offers a comprehensive online Pharmacy Technician certification program designed for aspiring healthcare professionals. This self-paced program spans 400 hours with a 12-month completion window and covers medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, and pharmacy operations. Students engage in an interactive online lab module and can pursue an optional 130-hour clinical experience. The program includes a voucher for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), preparing graduates for careers with average salaries around $40,300, potentially exceeding $57,130. Open enrollment and provided textbooks and lab kits make it accessible for flexible learning.
- Self-paced online program
- 400 total course hours
- 12-month completion window
- Certification exam voucher
- Optional clinical experience
- Covers medical terminology
- Prepare for PTCB certification
- Course includes textbooks
- Open enrollment
- Pharmacy lab kit provided
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA - Public 2-Year - iowacentral.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Visit Website
Iowa Central Community College's Pharmacy Technician program equips students with essential practical skills for various pharmacy environments, focusing on preparation for professional licensure exams to meet industry standards. Open to Iowa residents with a high school diploma or HSED, the program offers financial accessibility through the GAP Tuition Assistance Program, which may cover tuition, books, and fees. This specialized training provides a direct pathway into the healthcare sector, emphasizing hands-on experience and career readiness without requiring entrance exams.
- Prepares for professional licensure.
- Open to Iowa residents.
- High school diploma or HSED required.
- GAP Tuition Assistance available.
- Covers tuition, books, and fees.
- Focus on practical pharmacy skills.
- Meets industry standards.
- Career in healthcare sector.
- Specialized role preparation.
- Accessible financial support.
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA - Public 2-Year - eicc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Visit Website
Eastern Iowa Community College District offers a 400-hour online Pharmacy Technician certification program that is self-paced and costs $2,995. The curriculum focuses on medication processing, pharmaceutical calculations, and professional ethics, preparing students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), with an exam voucher included. An optional 130-hour clinical experience provides hands-on training, enhancing readiness for entry-level roles in diverse pharmacy settings. Graduates can pursue careers with an average annual salary of $40,300. This program does not require an entrance exam, making it accessible for aspiring technicians seeking flexible, comprehensive education.
- 400 course hours
- Online self-paced learning
- PTCE exam voucher included
- Optional 130-hour Clinical Experience
- Comprehensive textbook resources
- Prepares for pharmacy certification
- $2,995 total program cost
- 12-month program completion
- Certification exam preparation
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
According to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, the state grants pharmacy technician licenses assuming the applicant fulfills the following criteria:
- Applicant must be 18 years old or older. For applicants under 18, only the qualified pharmacist at the workplace may submit the details in support of your application
- You have graduated with a high school diploma or acquired a GED
- You have completed an accredited study program and passed the PTCB; you are permitted to apply before passing these exams as a technician-in-training
- A criminal background check is mandatory; you must submit personal details to ensure you have no convictions that ban you from working in an environment handling controlled substances
- A $40 application fee is required, payable at the time of application. You may pay by check, credit, or debit card and must apply within 30 days of hire. After 30 days, you must pay an additional $40 penalty (total cost $80)
- Expired licenses are subject to a simple renewal request; the applicant should start 2 months before expiration
Special note 1: The criminal background check is not carried out before the state has received the application fee and application details.
Special note 2: Transfers from other states are permissible only where Iowa has a reciprocal arrangement.
Special note 3: Interns are exempt from these criteria
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook
According to the most recent report (2019) of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are approximately 4,300 pharmacy technicians in Iowa. People working in this role can expect pay rates of $15.91 (median average) $16.07 (mean average) and $33,430. Glassdoor reports that entry-level pay is around $23,477 on average.
Most pharmacy technicians (51%) will work in pharmacies and drug stores across the state, according to BLS data from 2019. A further 17% will find employment in hospitals and clinics in Iowa. Some work (9%) is available in grocery store pharmacies.
Most pharmacies operate on a 24/7 schedule and pharmacy technicians in Iowa can expect to work evenings, weekends, and night shifts. This varies depending on the location; in supermarkets, you may work only inside of normal operating hours.
Nationally, BLS employment outlook predicts a 4% increase between 2019 and 2029. However, state records show a higher than average requirement in Iowa, averaging around 12%. Some states and areas have higher than average citizen ages; where there are more elderly people, more prescription medicines are required.
Iowa Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Ankeny, IA
Des Moines Area Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- Self-paced online program
- 400 total course hours
- 12-month completion window
- Certification exam voucher
- Optional clinical experience
- Covers medical terminology
- Prepare for PTCB certification
- Course includes textbooks
Calmar, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- Online career pathway certificate
- 6-month program duration
- Prepares for PTCB certification
- $1,495 approximate tuition
- 18+ years old admission requirement
- High school diploma needed
- Optional clinical externship available
- Works in various healthcare settings
Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa Western Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Website
- 196-hour comprehensive training
- 76-hour pharmacy externship
- PTCB exam preparation
- High school diploma required
- Multiple pharmacy practice settings
- Windows and Microsoft skills needed
- Background screening performed
- Tuberculin skin tests required
Davenport, IA
Eastern Iowa Community College District
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- 400 course hours
- Online self-paced learning
- PTCE exam voucher included
- Optional 130-hour Clinical Experience
- Comprehensive textbook resources
- Prepares for pharmacy certification
- $2,995 total program cost
- 12-month program completion
Saint Ambrose University
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- Online certificate program
- 2-4 months course length
- 15-20 hours weekly commitment
- Prepares for PTCB certification
- $4,000 total program cost
- Flexible payment plans available
- Suitable for healthcare newcomers
Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Central Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Website
- Prepares for professional licensure.
- Open to Iowa residents.
- High school diploma or HSED required.
- GAP Tuition Assistance available.
- Covers tuition, books, and fees.
- Focus on practical pharmacy skills.
- Meets industry standards.
- Career in healthcare sector.
Sheldon, IA
Northwest Iowa Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- Two semesters program length.
- Offered both online and on-campus.
- Prepares for national certification exam.
- 80% pass rate on certification exam.
- Future Ready Iowa Scholarship eligible.
- Hands-on practicum experience included.
- Focus on pharmacology and patient care.
- Accessible to students at various life stages.
Waterloo, IA
Hawkeye Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- 112-hour PTCB-recognized program
- Online and live class format
- Cost includes exam prep
- Entry-level salary $27,900
- Certification exam eligibility