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.
2027 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 offers a fully online Pharmacy Technician Certificate program that can be completed in just two semesters. The curriculum includes medical terminology, human anatomy, pharmacology, and a pharmacy technician practicum, preparing students for entry-level roles in local or hospital pharmacies. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, with an 80% pass rate. Career outcomes include an expected hourly wage of $15-$23. The program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship, potentially covering full tuition. With small class sizes and dedicated instructors, students receive personalized support throughout. Financial aid and scholarships are available to help make this affordable, in-demand career path accessible.
- 2-Semester program
- 7 total credit hours
- 3 total courses
- Starts fall
- 80% licensure pass rate
- Expected wage $15.00 to $23.00 per hour
- Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Fully online program
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar, IA - Public 2-Year - nicc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Visit Website
At Northeast Iowa Community College, the Pharmacy Technician program is a comprehensive online certificate designed for quick completion in just 6 months. The curriculum thoroughly covers reading and interpreting prescriptions, identifying generic and brand name drugs, mastering essential pharmacy terminology, and understanding dosage calculations and patient safety. You'll gain the skills needed to work under a registered pharmacist in diverse settings such as hospitals, community pharmacies, and home infusion pharmacies. The program specifically prepares you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. A standout feature is the optional clinical externship at a local healthcare provider, allowing you to apply your skills in a real-world pharmacy environment. The total cost is approximately $1,495, and you may qualify for a Career Pathway Certificate at no cost if you meet eligibility requirements. This noncredit program is self-paced and fully online, offering flexibility for working students. You'll also learn inventory management and customer service. With high demand driven by new drug development and pharmacist shortages, career opportunities are excellent. Financial aid and tuition assistance options are available to help you get started.
- $1,495 total program tuition
- 6-Month program
- Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- Financial aid available
- Covers drug terminology and prescription reading
- Careers in hospitals and community pharmacies
- Optional clinical externship available
- Fully online program
- High demand healthcare career
- May qualify for free tuition
Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA - Public 2-Year - hawkeyecollege.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Workplace Certificate
Online Learning - Visit Website
Hawkeye Community College's Pharmacy Technician Workplace Certificate is a fast-track, 4-month program designed to launch your career in pharmacy. Through hybrid evening classes, you'll gain hands-on skills in dispensing prescriptions, making measurement conversions, recognizing generic and brand-name drugs, and processing insurance payments. The PTCB-recognized curriculum prepares you to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and earn your CPhT credential. Graduates work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, mail-order facilities, and long-term care settings. The program requires only a high school diploma and computer access, making it accessible for busy adults seeking a new career pathway. While federal financial aid is not available, the program offers a direct route to in-demand healthcare roles.
- 4-Month program
- Starts fall/spring
- Prepares for PTCE
- PTCB-recognized program
- Hybrid course format
- Evening classes
- No federal financial aid
- Careers in hospital, retail, mail-order
- Enroll with high school diploma
- Get certified as CPhT
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA - Public 2-Year - dmacc.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Online Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included)
Online Learning - Visit Website
This is a non-credit, 100% online Pharmacy Technician certificate course from DMACC Career Training, delivered through ed2go. It runs 400 course hours over 12 months of access, self-paced with open enrollment. Coursework covers medical terminology, pharmacy law and ethics, controlled substances, sterile and non-sterile compounding, pharmaceutical calculations and pharmacology. Tuition is $3,299 and includes a voucher for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) from PTCB. An online lab module provides practice; a clinical experience is optional and not required for grading. Students must be 18 or older. The course does not meet requirements in Ohio, North Dakota, Utah, Washington or West Virginia.
- $3,299 total program tuition
- 12-Month program
- Rolling admissions
- Fully online option available
- Starts rolling
- Asynchronous online classes
- Prepares for PTCE
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- 400 course hours
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA - Public 2-Year - iowacentral.edu
Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Pharmacy Technician certificate program at Iowa Central Community College is a short-term, non-credit training program that provides the skills needed for in-demand careers in healthcare. It prepares students for professional certification exams and leads to a recognized certificate. The program is eligible for GAP Tuition Assistance, which can help cover tuition, books, and fees for qualifying students. This focused training reflects industry-recognized skill standards, making it a quick path to a rewarding career as a pharmacy technician.
- Financial aid available
- Eligible for GAP Tuition Assistance
- Short-term non-credit training
- Leads to recognized certificate
- Prepares for certification exam
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
Browse Our List of Programs
Ankeny, IA
Des Moines Area Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Online Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included)
Online Learning - Website
- $3,299 total program tuition
- 12-Month program
- Rolling admissions
- Fully online option available
- Starts rolling
- Asynchronous online classes
- Prepares for PTCE
- Military benefits accepted
Calmar, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- $1,495 total program tuition
- 6-Month program
- Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- Financial aid available
- Covers drug terminology and prescription reading
- Careers in hospitals and community pharmacies
- Optional clinical externship available
- Fully online program
Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa Western Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Website
- 76 clinical hours
- Prepares for PTCB
- Financial aid available
- 196-hour program with 76-hour externship
- Prepares for PTCB certification exam
- Instructor with 30 years experience
- Free tuition for Iowa residents
- High school diploma required
Davenport, IA
Ross College-Davenport
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- 36-Week program
- Fully online option available
- Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Externship placement arranged by Ross
- Certification exam voucher for graduates
- Six-week on-site externship
Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Central Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Campus Based - Website
- Financial aid available
- Eligible for GAP Tuition Assistance
- Short-term non-credit training
- Leads to recognized certificate
- Prepares for certification exam
Sheldon, IA
Northwest Iowa Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician
Online Learning - Website
- 2-Semester program
- 7 total credit hours
- 3 total courses
- Starts fall
- 80% licensure pass rate
- Expected wage $15.00 to $23.00 per hour
- Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
- Financial aid available
Waterloo, IA
Hawkeye Community College
- Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Workplace Certificate
Online Learning - Website
- 4-Month program
- Starts fall/spring
- Prepares for PTCE
- PTCB-recognized program
- Hybrid course format
- Evening classes
- No federal financial aid
- Careers in hospital, retail, mail-order