Tennessee Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Last Updated/Verified: Oct 18, 2026

Working as a pharmacy technician is a fantastic career choice. If breaking into the healthcare industry is of interest, then you should be aware of the various regulations and requirements to practice in the state of Tennessee. Some requirements are Federal laws, while some are state and industry requirements. This guide explains the steps you need to take to achieve that goal and begin working as a pharmacy technician in Tennessee.

2027 Best Pharmacy Technician Programs in Tennessee

#1

Concorde Career College-Memphis

Memphis, TN - Private 2-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

A pharmacy technician helps people get the medicine they need. Concorde's Memphis diploma program teaches that work from the ground up. Coursework covers medical terminology, pharmacology, pharmacy law, and pharmaceutical calculations, with hands-on practice in sterile and non-sterile compounding labs. Students learn to fill prescriptions, measure and package medications, track inventory, and support pharmacists. Online classes pair with in-person labs, so learners get flexibility without losing face time. A supervised externship adds real-world experience in retail, hospital, or long-term care settings. The diploma can be finished in as few as 7 months, and graduates may pursue roles in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and prescription fulfillment centers.

  • Entrance exam required
  • 7-Month program
  • 27 total credit hours
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Hybrid: online classes plus in-person labs
  • Sterile and non-sterile compounding labs
  • Externship for real-world experience
  • Careers in retail, hospital, long-term care
  • Associate degree path also available

Associate - Associate of Applied Science – Pharmacy Technician

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career College-Memphis offers a Pharmacy Technician Associate of Applied Science degree. This program prepares students for careers in retail, hospital, and institutional pharmacy settings. The curriculum covers pharmaceutical calculations, compounding techniques, and pharmacy law. Students complete hands-on labs and a clinical externship. Financial aid options are available for qualified applicants. The program requires a high school diploma or GED for admission. Graduates gain skills in medication preparation, inventory management, and patient communication.

  • Associate of Applied Science degree.
  • Hybrid program format.
  • 7 to 15 months duration.
  • 27 to 60 credit hours.
  • Hands-on labs included.
  • Clinical externship required.
  • High school diploma or GED needed.
  • Wonderlic/ORA assessment required.
  • Financial aid meeting required.
  • Covers pharmaceutical calculations.
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#2

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN - Public 2-Year - chattanoogastate.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Chattanooga State's Pharmacy Technology certificate is a fast-track, one-semester program designed to prepare you for a high-demand career as a certified pharmacy technician. You'll gain hands-on skills in filling prescriptions, preparing IV solutions, and mastering pharmacy software through a blend of classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences. The curriculum covers medication safety, inventory management, and patient communication—all with a focus on real-world application. With a 100% job placement rate and strong PTCB exam pass rate, graduates are ready to work in hospitals, community pharmacies, home health care, and more. The program is accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC) and features rolling admissions, making it easy to start your journey. Estimated in-state costs are around $3,995, and you can seamlessly move on to the Advanced Pharmacy Technology certificate for even more career opportunities. Whether you're a career changer or a recent high school graduate, this program offers a clear path to a rewarding healthcare career.

  • Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission accredited
  • 1-Semester program
  • 16 total credit hours
  • Rolling admissions
  • 100% licensure pass rate
  • 100% job placement rate
  • 130 clinical hours
  • Prepares for PTCB
  • PTCB certification preparation
  • Hospital and community pharmacy jobs

Certificate/Diploma - Advanced Pharmacy Technology

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Chattanooga State's Pharmacy Technology program offers two certificate paths: an Entry Level (16 credits, 1 semester) and an Advanced Technical Certificate (14 credits). You'll learn to fill prescriptions, prepare IV solutions, and communicate effectively with patients and pharmacists. The curriculum blends classroom instruction, simulation labs, and clinical rotations—130 hours for the entry level. Graduates are prepared for the PTCB certification exam and can work in hospitals, community pharmacies, sterile compounding facilities, and more. The field is growing fast, with starting salaries ranging from $24,000 to nearly $50,000. Rolling admissions mean you can start when ready. The program is accredited by the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission, ensuring a high-quality education that leads to 100% job placement and certification pass rates.

  • Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission accredited
  • 14 total credit hours
  • Rolling admissions
  • 100% licensure pass rate
  • 100% job placement rate
  • starting salary for certified pharmacy technicians is in the range of $23,960 - $49,750 per year
  • Prepares for PTCB Certification
  • Accredited by PTAC
  • Rolling admission deadlines
  • In-state cost $2,811
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#3

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro

Jacksboro, TN - Public 2-Year - tcatjacksboro.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

Campus Based - Visit Website

If you like science and helping people, the Pharmacy Technology program at TCAT Jacksboro is worth a look. Over about 12 months, students work through pharmacy math, pharmacology, top drugs, and the laws and ethics that guide the field, along with HIPAA and third-party reimbursement. They practice measuring, mixing, counting, and labeling medications under a pharmacist's direction. A supervised clinical rotation adds real-world time before graduation. Classes run during the day, and tuition and fees total about $4,723. Students finish with a diploma and are ready to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Graduates often land roles in retail and wholesale pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

  • $4,723 total program tuition
  • 12-Month program
  • Prepares for PTCE
  • 1,296 clock hours
  • Supervised clinical training provided
  • Careers in hospitals, retail pharmacies
  • Tennessee Board of Pharmacy license
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Textbooks and supplies: $2,142
  • Covers pharmacy math and pharmacology
#4

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest

Newbern, TN - Public 2-Year - tcatnorthwest.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Online Learning - Visit Website

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest, in partnership with ed2go, provides an online, self-paced Pharmacy Technician certificate program. This non-credit career training course includes a voucher for the certification exam and is designed to help students prepare for a career as a pharmacy technician. Students benefit from dedicated advisors and a flexible schedule that fits their lifestyle. Upon passing, graduates receive a certificate from TCAT Northwest and are equipped for entry-level positions in pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. The program is one of many online career training options offered by the college.

  • Self-paced online training
  • Voucher for certification exam
  • Non-credit certificate awarded
  • ed2go partnership
  • Dedicated student advisors
  • Flexible schedule
#5

Walters State Community College

Morristown, TN - Public 2-Year - ws.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

Campus Based - Visit Website

Walters State Community College offers a Pharmacy Technology Technical Certificate designed to launch your career as a pharmacy technician. The curriculum covers medication dispensing, inventory management, and pharmacy law through classroom, simulation, and experiential learning. You'll gain the skills to work alongside pharmacists in retail, hospital, and clinical settings. The program is ASHP-accredited and boasts a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam. With 30 credit hours, you can complete the program quickly. Students learn on the Morristown campus in small classes with dedicated faculty. Financial aid, including Hope scholarships, is available to eligible students. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions and enjoy a 98% job placement rate. This certificate is ideal for those seeking a fast track into healthcare without a four-year degree.

  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited
  • 30 total credit hours
  • 100% licensure pass rate
  • 98% job placement rate
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Prepares for national certification exam
  • Hope scholarship eligible
  • Small classes and outstanding faculty
*U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

Tennessee Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Tennessee Department of Health's Board of Pharmacy requires that pharmacy technician applicants fulfill the following list of criteria:

  • Registration is mandatory; applicants must submit proof of citizenship along with other documents
  • Only those 18 years or over may register as a pharmacy technician in Tennessee
  • The State of Tennessee has no educational requirements to become a pharmacy technician or national certification. This requirement was abolished in 2015.
  • Individual employers may ask for a High School Diploma, GED, or national certification
  • You must submit all documentation for a formal criminal record check to work in Tennessee
  • Part of the criminal records check is mandatory fingerprinting. You must set up an appointment to do this formally. Out of state applicants can request a fingerprint card which they can return by mail
  • Applicants must self-declare any convictions with supporting court documentation
  • Tennessee charges $85 for registration. The annual renewal cost is also $85

Special note 1: Applicants from other states are welcome to apply. There are no formal reciprocity arrangements – your application will be considered on an individual basis and subject to the same criteria as above.

Special note 2: The Tennessee Department of Health will only process your application when all details are received and after fingerprinting has been carried out.

Special note 3: Interns are exempt from the above requirements. The employing pharmacy must conduct relevant checks before making an offer of employment.

Tennessee Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The most recent (2019) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report recorded 10,270 pharmacy technicians in Tennessee. Average pay rates were calculated at a median of $15.24 per hour, and $34,510 annually.

Over half of all pharmacy technicians nationwide are currently employed in pharmacies and drug stores. 17%, around 1 in 6, are currently employed in clinical facilities such as hospital pharmacy departments, and at specialty clinics. A further 9% work in retail outlets with pharmacy concessions inside third party facilities. This includes grocery stores, supermarkets, and health food outlets.

Pharmacy technicians can expect to work a variety of hours including nights, weekends, and evening work. Pharmacy needs mean emergency prescriptions. Concessionary outlets and facilities inside third party businesses will operate in line with that business' operating hours and days.

The BLS expects pharmacy technician openings to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029. This is the current average of all jobs in the country, meaning stable and steady employment.

Tennessee Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

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Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga State Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Advanced Pharmacy Technology

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission accredited
    • 14 total credit hours
    • Rolling admissions
    • 100% licensure pass rate
    • 100% job placement rate
    • starting salary for certified pharmacy technicians is in the range of $23,960 - $49,750 per year
    • Prepares for PTCB Certification
    • Accredited by PTAC
  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission accredited
    • 1-Semester program
    • 16 total credit hours
    • Rolling admissions
    • 100% licensure pass rate
    • 100% job placement rate
    • 130 clinical hours
    • Prepares for PTCB

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

  • Associate - Pharmacy Technician

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 18-Month program
    • 92 total credit hours
    • Rolling admissions
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Starts rolling
    • Capstone required
    • Prepares for CPhT
    • Financial aid available

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

    Campus Based - Website

    • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) accredited
    • $1,945 total program tuition
    • 10-Week program
    • Apply by 2026-08-31
    • Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
    • Financial aid available
    • Optional clinical externship at local medical facility
    • Class size limited to 20 students

Collegedale, TN

Southern Adventist University

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Professional

    Online Learning - Website

    • $4,000 total program tuition
    • 6-Month program
    • Complete in approximately six months
    • Asynchronous online classes
    • Median annual wage $36,740
    • Prepares for Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT)
    • Employer reimbursement supported
    • Job growth 11.8% over ten years

Cookeville, TN

Fortis Institute-Cookeville

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Training Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 36-Week program
    • Prepares for CPhT
    • Financial aid available
    • Externship in real healthcare settings
    • Careers in retail and hospital pharmacies
    • Pharmacy fundamentals and terminology
    • Prescription reading, filling and distribution
    • Drug interactions and side effects

Elizabethton, TN

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included)

    Online Learning - Website

    • 1-Year program
    • Complete in one year or less
    • Fully online option available
    • Starts rolling
    • annual salary for pharmacy technicians is $40,300
    • 100 clinical hours
    • Prepares for PTCE
    • Exam voucher included

Gallatin, TN

Volunteer State Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Training

    Online Learning - Website

    • Complete in one year or less
    • Rolling admissions
    • Starts rolling
    • 100 clinical hours
    • Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
    • 100% online program
    • Externship with national pharmacy chain
    • No prerequisites to enroll

Hartsville, TN

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included)

    Online Learning - Website

    • 1-Year program
    • Complete in one year or less
    • Fully online option available
    • Starts rolling
    • annual salary for pharmacy technicians is $40,300
    • Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
    • Exam voucher included
    • Optional 100-hour Clinical Experience

Jacksboro, TN

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

    Campus Based - Website

    • $4,723 total program tuition
    • 12-Month program
    • Prepares for PTCE
    • 1,296 clock hours
    • Supervised clinical training provided
    • Careers in hospitals, retail pharmacies
    • Tennessee Board of Pharmacy license
    • High school diploma or GED required

Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Certification Training Course

    Campus Based - Website

    • Prepares for PTCB
    • Tuesday and Thursday evening classes
    • Textbook included in registration fee
    • Must be 18 years or older
    • Certificate of completion awarded

Memphis, TN

Concorde Career College-Memphis

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Entrance exam required
    • 7-Month program
    • 27 total credit hours
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Hybrid: online classes plus in-person labs
    • Sterile and non-sterile compounding labs
    • Externship for real-world experience
  • Associate - Associate of Applied Science – Pharmacy Technician

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Associate of Applied Science degree.
    • Hybrid program format.
    • 7 to 15 months duration.
    • 27 to 60 credit hours.
    • Hands-on labs included.
    • Clinical externship required.
    • High school diploma or GED needed.
    • Wonderlic/ORA assessment required.

Southwest Tennessee Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology Technical Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists accredited
    • $176 per credit
    • 2-Semester program
    • 32 total credit hours
    • Starts fall/spring
    • 200 clinical hours
    • Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
    • Financial aid available

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician Training Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • $1,800 total program tuition
    • Complete in 164 Hours
    • Cohort-based structure
    • Prepares for PTCE
    • 100% Online
    • Self-Paced
    • Dedicated Faculty Support
    • Payment Plan Available

Morristown, TN

Walters State Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technology

    Campus Based - Website

    • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited
    • 30 total credit hours
    • 100% licensure pass rate
    • 98% job placement rate
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Prepares for national certification exam
    • Hope scholarship eligible

Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

    Campus Based - Website

    • $999 total program tuition
    • Complete in 50 hour course
    • 1 total courses
    • Prepares for PTCB
    • Textbooks included in fee
    • Evening classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • Location: Avon Williams Campus, Nashville
    • Covers medical terminology and prescriptions

Newbern, TN

Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest

  • Certificate/Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

    Online Learning - Website

    • Self-paced online training
    • Voucher for certification exam
    • Non-credit certificate awarded
    • ed2go partnership
    • Dedicated student advisors
    • Flexible schedule
*Original data from: National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS program (2025).