Oklahoma Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

While many dream of a promising entry-level career in the pharmacy industry, employment as a pharmacy technician in the state of Oklahoma requires you to fulfill certain conditions and steps. Many of these are Federally mandated – however, each state may set additional requirements above and beyond these. Keep reading to find out what requirements you must meet, what you need to do, and the processes to begin working as a pharmacy technician anywhere in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Oklahoma's list of pharmacy technician requirements are as follows:

• Minimum age to work as a pharmacy technician in Oklahoma is 18
• Applicants are required to possess a High School Diploma or GED and provide proof of supporting documentation
• You must already be employed by a pharmacy before applying
• You must complete an accredited training program at a licensed pharmacy in the state
• There is no formal criminal background check, but you must be of good moral character with no drug or alcohol problems (the state authority will only check for issues of particular concern)
• You must have taken and passed an Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy approved examination such as PTCB or ExCPT
• There is a $40 fee for registering as a pharmacy technician in Oklahoma; renewal cost is also $40
• Licenses expire on the last day of your month of birth, regardless of when in the month you were born
• Proof of U.S. citizenship is required at the time of application
• When working, you must wear a badge denoting that you are employed as a technician

Special note 1: Oklahoma does not permit transfers from other states. You must already work as a pharmacy technician in Oklahoma to apply, regardless of your status in another state.

Special note 2: Oklahoma will only process your application on receipt of the proper application form and other required documentation.

Oklahoma Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest report. It found that the number of working pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma landed at 4,940. Average pay rates were revealed as $14.58 per hour median average, $15.36 mean average, and $31,940 annually.

Pharmacy technicians usually work in drug stores, pharmacies, and other dedicated outlets. According to data, 51% of these outlets employ this type of professional. One-sixth (17%) work in medical facilities as technical staff to clinicians. A further 9% work at concessions and counters inside other retailer outlets. These will typically be grocery stores, food stores, and health shops.

Most pharmacies work 24/7, 365 days of the year. Therefore, technicians can expect to work varied shifts including evenings, nights, and weekends. This is also true of hospitals. Where located in supermarkets, these operating hours may adhere to the hours of the store.

The BLS projected a job demand growth of 4% for pharmacy technicians in the decade 2019-2029. This is the current average of all jobs in the United States.

Oklahoma Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs