Questions, answered
Everything you want to know.
If you don't see your question here, email us at foothillspharmacytech@gmail.com or use our contact form — we're happy to help.
About the program
Getting started
No. Our program is designed for complete beginners — no pharmacy background and no science background needed. We teach everything from the ground up.
A high school diploma or GED, comfort with basic algebra (fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios) for the calculations section, and a computer with internet access and basic computer skills. There's no age limit — students of all ages and backgrounds enroll.
It's a 16-week, 192-hour program that most students finish in about four months. It's self-paced, so you set the schedule — plan for roughly 12–15 hours per week to stay on track.
Absolutely. Many of our students work full-time. Because the program is 100% online and self-paced, you can study evenings, weekends, or whenever works for you.
Reach out to us to discuss your situation. Extensions may be available on a case-by-case basis.
No, we're not a college. Foothills is an independent, PTCB-Recognized education/training program founded by a licensed pharmacist. It uses the same curriculum and textbooks as accredited community-college programs, but it is not itself ASHP/ACPE-accredited.
Cost & payment
What it really costs
Enrollment is a one-time $180, paid securely online. Two required digital textbooks (~$218 total) are purchased separately through our Foothills store, and the PTCE exam fee (~$129) is paid directly to the PTCB. That comes to roughly $527 to certification — compared with $3,000–$15,000+ at a college. No hidden fees, no monthly payments.
There are two required digital titles, purchased at paradigmeducation.com/foothills-pharmacy: Pharmacy Calculations for Technicians, 7th Edition ($102) and Certification Exam Review for Pharmacy Technicians, 6th Edition ($116). Buying them through our Foothills store guarantees the correct editions with the access codes included.
No. Because we're not a college, financial aid isn't available. The trade-off is that the total cost is far lower than programs that do accept aid.
Contact us within 7 days of enrolling to discuss a refund. Each case is handled individually — email us at foothillspharmacytech@gmail.com for refund questions.
The PTCE exam
Certification & testing
The PTCE is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, administered by the PTCB. It's 90 questions (80 scored, 10 unscored) with a 110-minute time limit, taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. The passing score is 1400 out of 1600. It covers four domains: Medications (35%), Patient Safety & Quality Assurance (23.75%), Order Entry & Processing (22.5%), and Federal Requirements (18.75%).
You register with the PTCB and sit for the exam after completing the program. You must apply within 60 days of finishing the Foothills course. Results are typically available within 1–3 weeks.
The national first-attempt pass rate is about 70%. We can't guarantee a passing result, but students who complete the full program — including all the practice exams — are well prepared. Our practice exams mirror the real PTCE format.
You receive a certificate of completion from our program. The CPhT credential itself comes from passing the PTCE through the PTCB. CPhT certification renews every two years with 20 hours of continuing education.
The learning platform
How you study
Everything lives in your Student Portal on foothillspharmacytech.com. Click "Open My Course" and you're logged in automatically — no separate username or password. The portal also gives you a countdown, a week-by-week checklist, progress tracking, and a PTCE prep checklist near the end.
Every chapter includes Watch-and-Learn video lessons, flash cards for terminology and drug names, practice problems, and chapter exams, plus full-length practice exams that mirror the real PTCE format (90 questions, multiple choice).
The course works on phones and tablets, and it's available 24/7 from any device with a web browser. That said, we strongly recommend a computer for the best experience — especially for practice exams and calculations.
The most common snag is books and access codes. The simplest path is buying through our Foothills store at paradigmeducation.com/foothills-pharmacy — one purchase gets you the correct textbook and the access code that unlocks the course. If you buy books elsewhere, you'll still need to purchase access codes separately through Paradigm. For technical issues with course content, contact Kendall Hunt Support at help.kendallhunt.com.
States & careers
After you're certified
Yes — the program is 100% online and our students enroll from across the U.S. Because pharmacy technician rules vary by state, out-of-state students should check with their state Board of Pharmacy to confirm it accepts a PTCB-recognized program and to learn about any additional registration, licensure, or background-check requirements.
The program is designed for students in the United States. International students should verify PTCB eligibility requirements with the PTCB directly.
We don't provide formal job placement, and we can't guarantee employment. That said, CPhT-certified technicians are in demand, and we can offer general guidance on the job search.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), the median pay for pharmacy technicians is about $43,460 a year, with roughly 49,000 openings projected annually and 6% job growth through 2034. Pay varies by location, setting, and employer, and these national figures are not a guarantee.
Still have a question?
We're glad to help.
Reach out any time, or enroll when you're ready — one-time $180, PTCB-recognized, 100% online.