where is the best place to become a certified pharmacy technician?
Asked by Sara D
I am interested in becoming a pharmacy technician but i don't know what schools are worth going to to get it. I am worried because i have heard things about Everest Institute being a waste of money because you cant transfer credits. Does that become the case for pharmacy technicians?

Best Answer:
Some pharmacies will hire you as a Pharmacy Clerk (operate cash register, stock shelves, etc.) and offer training so you can become a Pharmacy Technician. They will also reimburse you for the cost of the PTCE once you pass the examination and receive your certification number. You could take a Pharmacy Technician training course at your local community college. Many PT courses only take 5-6 months to complete and the cost is very low. You could prepare to take the PTCE by studying at home. Good books to use: The Pharmacy Technician, 3rd edition ISBN: 0-89582-736-0 The Pharmacy Technician Workbook and Certification Review, 3rd edition ISBN: 0-89582-737-9 http://www.pharmacytrainer.com/ At the website listed above you can buy an interactive CD-Rom (PTCB Examination Review Course). With the CD you also get 4 months access to the online practice testing. To register to take the PTCE go to: http://www.ptcb.org

get a job as a pharm cashier...if you are good they will pay for your tech training....
Answered by mar c

You don't HAVE to go to school to become a pharmacy technician. I became a pharmacy technician right after I graduated high school at 18. I just took the certification test, passed it, and that was it. Alll those schools do is prepare you for a test that you can study for on your own. Go to a Barnes n Nobles and buy a Pharmacy Tech Exam book and study from it. It seriously is not hard...you just need to know basic math(converting measurement units, like grams to milliliters) and the top 100 brand-generic drug list. A 3rd small part of the test is made up of pharmacy practices, like where is insulin stored, etc. If you buy a book and study it, you will be fine. The only schooling you need is high school math and high school chemistry. If you're not in a huge rush and you want to make sure you pass the test the first time, you should go to your local CVS Pharmacy (not sure about other pharmacies) and see if you can get hired as a PSA...pretty much a drug clerk. Your main responsibility will be working the register and helping take prescriptions, but it will seriously help you know more for the exam to get certified. I would recommend working for 6 months, then signing up for the test. Oh, and actually, CVS WILL PAY FOR YOU TO TAKE THE TEST, which is like $140 I think, if I remember right. After you pass it and get certified, you'll get a raise to meet the pharmacy tech salary standard. I would really suggest you do that, since it'll help you know more pharmacy stuff, plus you'll be better prepared when you're actually working as a pharm tech. I started working in a pharmacy when I was 16 as a drug clerk, took the test at 18 since you need a HS diploma to take it, and I worked at CVS for 5 years as a certified pharmacy technician....all that without ever spending $10,000 on school to teach me how to take a test.
Answered by suprlonghorn