Online pharmacy technician program provides a flexible and convenient alternative to on-campus programs. The training provides the same support as traditional programs including hands-on virtual labs and pharmacy externships. When choosing an online pharmacy technician program make sure to choose one that is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board if you plan to apply for national certification. ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician programs will also include an in-person pharmacy technician externship at a local and institutional pharmacy. The externship provides real-world experience to ease the transition from the classroom to the workplace.
California Medical College
California Medical College has partnered with Career Step to offer an ASHP accredited pharmacy technician program. The program is fully online for the theoretical requirements and includes in-person pharmacy externships at a community and institutional pharmacy. The curriculum comprises of 292 training hours and 130 to 200 clinical hours. It gives students the ability to study on their own schedule, 24/7 access to the material, and real-world experience at reputable pharmacies. Course topics include pharmacology, pharmacy law, regulations and standards, business of a pharmacy (both retail and hospital), prescriptions, pharmaceutical calculations, and nonsterile compounding. The program cost includes rich, visual content, a laboratory kit for hands-on experience, a Skype consultation with a pharmacy expert for support with the laboratory kit exercises, required background check and drug test, a free voucher to take the PTCB national certification exam, and career support. Students will have a 12-month access to the training.
Admission criteria:
- Must be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate
- Schedule a meeting with an admissions representative
- Must complete a satisfactory background check and drug screen
- Submit a completed application for admission
The cost for full program access is $4,199.
- Website: http://www.californiamedicalcollege.edu/
- Address: 7851 Mission Center Court, Suite 326, San Diego, CA 92108
- Phone: (858) 357-8800
- Fax: (619) 296-9200
- Email:info@CMCsandiego.com
PIMA Medical Institute
The online/hybrid pharmacy technician program offered by PIMA Medical Institute provides students with the skills to function as capable, entry-level pharmacy technicians. The curriculum covers 840 hours of instruction – 376 hours theory, 224 hours lab, and 240 hours of clinical externship. The career prep sequence includes Study Skills, Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Computer Basics, Math Fundamentals, and CPR and First Aid. The professional course sequence includes Pharmacy Math, Inventory Maintenance, Pharmacology, Pharmacy Law & Ethics, Pharmacy Technician Duties, Pharmacology, Principles of Customer Service, Pharmacy Lab Skills, Pharmacy Computer Applications, and Pharmacy Externship. Students have the opportunity to earn IV certification, which includes training on sterile product preparation and aseptic technique. Graduates will be prepared for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, administered by the PTCB.
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed application
- Provide verification of completing high school or equivalent
- Meet with a PMI admission representative
- Pass an entrance exam – Wonderlic SLE
- Complete satisfactory background check and drug testing
The program cost of $18,140 includes tuition, registration fee, textbooks, uniforms, technology fees, and STRF.
- Website: https://pmi.edu/
- Address: 780 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista, CA 91910
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
Western Medical Training Center
The Online Pharmacy Technician program at Western Medical Training Center prepares students for entry-level employment as a pharmacy technician. The curriculum covers 130 hours of instruction in 30 days. Course topics include customer service, reading and interpreting prescriptions, inventory management, packaging and labeling, dosage calculations, pharmacology, dose conversions, IV flow rates, billing and reimbursement, and pharmacy laws and ethics. Students will complete a 120-hour pharmacy externship at a local Walgreens or CVS pharmacy. The program is typically completed in 30 days but students have up to 12 months’ access to the program to complete at their own pace.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- A high school diploma or GED
- Pay the registration fee of $100 to reserve a seat in the program
- Complete a background check and drug screen to participate in the pharmacy externship
Tuition for the program is $1,200 or $999 if paid in full. A flexible payment plan is available for all students.
- Website: https://wmtc.info/
- Address: 1161 E Main St UNIT 205, El Cajon, CA 92021
- Phone: 619-241-9931
San Diego Community Training Center
The Pharmacy Technician program at San Diego Community Training Center may be taken on-campus or hybrid format. Students will acquire the skills to receive, prepare, and dispense prescriptions under the guidance of a registered pharmacist. The curriculum covers 720 clock hours of instruction including 360 lecture hours, 160 laboratory hours, and 160 externship hours conducted at an approved facility. It comprises of eight modules. Seven of the modules are for four weeks (80 hours each) and a final externship. Modules include knowledge and understanding of different pharmacy practice settings, knowledge and understanding the duties and responsibility of a pharmacy technician, identifying and employing pharmaceutical and medical terms, performing record-keeping functions, identifying drugs, dosages, routes of administration, dosage forms, and performing procedures and techniques relating to manufacturing, packaging and labeling of the drug product. SDCTC offers experienced instructors, commitment to students’ success, career placement assistance, and much more. Graduates will be prepared to apply for a pharmacy technician license with the California State Board of Pharmacy and national pharmacy technician certification.
Admission criteria:
- Submit an official high school transcript or GED certificate
- Attend a personal interview with an admission representative
- Review all the pre-enrollment disclosures
- Must clear a DOJ and FBI Live Scan
The program cost of $10,627.50 includes tuition, registration fee, books, supplies, and pharmacy technician license processing fee.
- Website: https://sdctrainingcenter.com/
- Address: 1475 6th Ave, 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
- Phone: (619) 814-9068
- Email: info@sdctrainingcenter.com
Health Occupations Center
The online/hybrid pharmacy technician program at the Health Occupations Center prepares students with knowledge and skills to support pharmacists in retail and institutional pharmacies. The program will cover the pharmacy’s purpose and services, workplace safety, the role and responsibility of pharmacy personnel, California pharmacy laws, hospital and retail pharmacy operations, preventing medication errors, interpreting prescriptions and writing labels correctly, communication skills, hospital and retail pharmacy operations, third party insurance billing, concepts of pharmacology, concepts of anatomy and physiology, routes of drug administrations, and job acquisition skills. Students will participate in a 160-hour pharmacy internship at a local pharmacy. Graduates will be prepared to sit for a national certification exam.
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide proof of required immunizations – list provided at registration
- Attend a mandatory orientation in person or by Zoom
- Take and pass the admission exam
- Provide an official sealed copy of high school transcript
The program registration fee of $650 is due at the time of registration. Additional fees that need to be covered is approximately $910 and includes scrubs, textbooks, background check, immunization, and PTCB testing fees.
- Website: https://hoc.guhsd.net/index.html
- Address: 9368 Oakbourne Road, Santee, CA 92071
- Phone: (619) 956-4300
UEI College – Riverside Campus
UEI College offers an online pharmacy technician program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training for a career as an entry-level pharmacy technician. Students will learn dosages and solution preparations, medication preparation in sterile and non-sterile environments, enter patient and prescription information into a system, and preparing and dispensing medication. Online students will attend campus for on-site lab and complete a pharmacy externship at a local pharmacy. Course topics include pharmaceutical calculations, prescription processing, deciphering physicians’ orders, pharmacy billing, hospital and retail pharmacy procedures, handling insurance claims, and professionalism in a pharmacy setting. Graduates will be prepared to sit for the national pharmacy technician certification exam. The duration of the program is 10 months.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have current immunizations
Tuition for the program is $19,900. It includes books, supplies, and uniforms.
- Website: https://www.uei.edu/
- Address: 1860 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92507
- Phone: (951) 394-0588
San Diego State University
The online pharmacy technician program offered by SDSU prepares students for the PTCB national certification exam and an externship at a leading pharmacy. Students will learn state and federal laws that govern pharmacies, ethics of pharmacy practice, basic community and institutional pharmacy math, the science of pharmacology, evolution of drugs, and administration of pharmacology agents, HIPPA regulations, cost analysis, interactive lab for retail and hospital settings, and a virtual externship in the retail and hospital setting. Graduates will be prepared for success on the PTCB exam.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must pass a criminal background check and drug screen to participate in the externship
- Must have a computer and access to the internet
Tuition for the program is $2,495. It includes a voucher for the PTCB ($129 value).
- Website: https://ces.sdsu.edu/
- Address: 5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182-1920
- Phone: (619) 594-5821
Pharmacy Tech Study San Diego
Pharmacy Tech Study San Diego offers an online pharmacy technician program that is PTCB recognized. The curriculum covers the material required for success on the PTCE. It covers all four sections of the PTCE including brand name and generic drugs, sig code, pharmacy math, and other areas tested on the exam. Students will have full support from experienced instructors who are committed to their success on the certification exam. Graduates will be qualified to apply for a California State Technician license and to sit for the PTCB exam.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have a computer and access to the internet
Tuition costs $650 for online access. The fee includes tuition, textbook, and payment for the PTCB exam. Currently, state-licensed pharmacy technician will pay $400 for access.
- Website: https://pharmacytechstudysandiego.com/
- Address: San Diego Online
- Phone: 619-928-4383