Online pharmacy technician programs provide a fast-track and convenient pathway to entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician in community and institutional pharmacies. Although most programs in Fort Worth are completely online, you have the option to participate in a pharmacy technician externship to apply the concepts learned throughout the course and gain valuable experience in a real-world setting. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of pharmacists to process prescription requests and assist with the overall operation of the pharmacy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians earned a median annual salary of $36,740 in 2021.
Tarrant County College – Trinity River Campus
The pharmacy technician program at Tarrant County College is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online classes with face-to-face activities. The curriculum covers 312 certificate hours with the clinical included. Students will learn the fundamentals of community pharmacy technician principles and procedures. Course modules are introduction pharmacy technician, pharmacy law, pharmacotherapy and disease, drug classification, pharmacy mathematics, and pharmacy technician certification review. Students will complete a pharmacy externship at a local community pharmacy. Graduates will be prepared to take the PTCB exam to become a certified pharmacy technician.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must obtain a passing score on the TABE if applicable
- Must be in compliance with the Texas Board of Pharmacy regulations
- Must review the Information Session Presentation Slides online
- Submit the certification of completion (from the information session) with an application to the program
- Submit official or unofficial transcript of any college coursework along with proof of exemption from TSI
- Register for classes once accepted
Tuition costs $64 per semester hour for resident students.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 300 Trinity Campus Circle, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
- Phone: 817-515-1484
Texas State University – Continuing Education
The Continuing Education Department at Texas State University offers a 100 percent online pharmacy technician program that prepares students for entry-level practice as a pharmacy technician. Students will learn the federal and state laws that govern pharmacies as well as the ethics of pharmacy practice. Other course topics include history, foundations and the role of the pharmacy technician, introduction to law, liability and federal regulations, basic community and institutional pharmacy math to calculate dosages and dilutions, the science of pharmacology, verbal and non-verbal communications, cost analysis, purchasing procedures and record keeping, interactive lab for the retail and hospital settings, and a virtual externship in the retail and hospital settings. The curriculum covers 400 course hours. Students also have the option to complete a 100+ hour externship at a community pharmacy. Enrollment is open. Access to the program is available for 12 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age to participate in the externship
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have a computer with access to the internet
The program cost of $2,495 includes tuition and materials.
- Website: https://www.txst.edu/
- Address: 302 ASB-North, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
- Phone: 512-245-2507
- Toll Free: 800-511-8656
Goodwill Industries of North Central Texas (Fort Worth)
The online pharmacy technician program at Goodwill Industries of North Central Texas prepares students for success on the national certification exam and entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician. The provide will cover essential areas such as medical and pharmacy terminology, basic anatomy related to pharmacology of medications, and pharmaceutical calculations. An online lab module will provide students with hands-on practice in retail pharmacy procedures. It will cover the information necessary to process prescriptions and physician orders and the application of that knowledge to full mock prescriptions. Students will also learn the ethics of pharmacy practice, prescription medications, patient care, interaction, and charges and reimbursement. They will have the option to complete a pharmacy technician externship to get hands-on experience assisting pharmacists with prescriptions, answering patient questions, and other administrative duties. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the PTCE offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The course includes a voucher that covers the fee for the exam.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age to participate in the externship
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have a computer with access to the internet
The program cost of $2,495 includes tuition and materials with 12 months’ access to the online portal.
- Website: https://careertraining.ed2go.com/gwleadership/training-programs/
- Address: 4005 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119 US
- Phone: 817 332-7866
CCI Training Center
The fast-track online pharmacy technician program prepares student for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician. The online format gives students the power to choose their own schedule to balance work and family commitments. Qualified instructors provide remote support for online coursework and also supervise students as they work collaboratively with each other to develop hands-on experience. The curriculum incorporates hands-on training in IV Sterilization and the handling of sterile products as well as activities that require the use of computer and medical software. Course modules include allied health math, pharmacology, CPR, fundamentals of pharmacy practice, pharmacy calculations, medical law, ethics and professionalism, and certification test prep. The program covers a total of 638 contact hours (21.0 credit hours) including 100 hours for the clinical externship. Students will participate in an externship at an approved facility. The externship will provide opportunities for students to apply the principles and practices learned in the classroom. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the national certification exam. Day and evening schedules are available. The duration of the program is 25 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must have completed high school or GED equivalent
- Complete a campus tour and initial application for admission
- Must pass an entrance exam
- Attend an interview with the admissions staff
- Must pass a background check to take the national certification exam
The program cost of $9,985 includes tuition, books, and registration.
- Website: https://www.ccitraining.edu/
- Address: 770 E Road to Six Flags, Suite 140 Arlington, TX 76011
- Phone: 817-668-3556
- Email: info@cci-training.com
The College of Health Care Professions
The hybrid pharmacy technician program at the College of Health Care Professions combines online learning with face-to-face practice sessions. All the hands-on medical training will be completed on campus and through a pharmacy externship completed at an approved facility. Areas of study include HIPAA policies, transmission of disease, hand-washing techniques, biohazards, airborne pathogens, infection control procedures, and laboratory safety. Other topics include basic structures, functions and dysfunctions of the body, medical terminology, abbreviations and symbols, and general treatment of the body systems. The program delivers eight modules, Introduction to Pharmacy, Ethics and Patient Safety, Institutional Pharmacy, Community Pharmacy, Pharmacy Calculations, Pharmacy Techniques and Practice, Sterile Compounds, Parenteral and IV Admixtures, Certification Prep for Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy Technician Externship. The externship covers a total of 180 clock hours. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam. The duration of the program is 36 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Take and pass the Scholastic Level Exam with a minimum score of 14
- Must be able to read and write English
- Must have good coordination
- Must be neat and professional at all times
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Complete fingerprinting within the first 30 days of class
- Register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician trainee
The total program cost of $17,400 includes tuition, registration, technology fee, and textbooks.
- Website: https://www.chcp.edu/
- Address: 4248 North Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76137
- Phone: 817-632-5900