Program Details
Everything you need to know about our 4-month pharmacy technician training program.
Program Overview
Our PTCB-recognized Pharmacy Technician Training Program is a comprehensive 4-month, 192-hour online course designed to prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and a career as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Duration
4 Months
192 hours, self-paced
Format
100% Online
Study anywhere, anytime
Enrollment
$180
Instruction, monitoring, portal access
Course Materials
Separate
Purchased through our online store
Week-by-Week Curriculum
The program follows a structured schedule with two parallel textbook tracks: the Certification Exam Review and Pharmacy Calculations. Each week includes video lessons, flash cards, practice tests, and chapter exams.
Medications
General terminology, dosage forms, routes of administration, anatomical drug classifications, and alternative medications. Introduction to pharmacy calculations.
Federal Requirements
Pharmacy law, controlled substance schedules, DEA regulations, FDA oversight, and legal requirements for pharmacy practice.
Patient Safety & Quality Assurance
Medication safety systems, error prevention, quality control procedures, and patient safety protocols.
Order Entry & Processing
Pharmacy abbreviations, patient profile components, prescription and medication order processing, and documentation.
Pharmacy Conversions & Calculations
Unit conversions, dosage calculations, and mathematical principles essential to pharmacy practice.
Nonsterile Compounding
Compounding techniques, equipment, documentation, and quality assurance for nonsterile preparations.
Sterile & Hazardous Compounding
Aseptic technique, cleanroom procedures, IV preparation, and handling of hazardous drugs.
Inventory Controls
Inventory management systems, ordering procedures, expired medication handling, and recall processes.
PTCE Exam Review & Practice Exams
Comprehensive review with Pharmcon, full-length PTCE and ExCPT practice exams, and final exam preparation.
Each chapter includes Watch and Learn video lessons, flash cards for key terminology, practice problems, and chapter exams — all accessible through your Student Portal.
What You'll Learn
- Pharmacy law and regulations
- Pharmacology fundamentals
- Medication safety and error prevention
- Prescription processing and dispensing
- Pharmacy calculations and conversions
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding
- Inventory management
- Insurance and billing procedures
- Patient communication and customer service
- PTCE exam preparation and practice tests
How You'll Learn
All course content, assignments, and exams are delivered online through your Student Portal. Your coursework includes:
- Interactive study materials and e-textbook integration
- Watch and Learn video lessons for every chapter
- Flash cards for key terminology and concepts
- Practice exams that mirror the PTCE format
- Progress tracking and performance analytics
- 24/7 access from any device
Cost Breakdown
Your investment has two parts:
1. Enrollment Fee: $180
Covers instruction, instructor monitoring, and Student Portal access for the full 4-month program. Paid once at enrollment.
2. Course Materials: Purchased separately
Digital textbooks and access codes are purchased through our Foothills store. Each textbook includes an access code that unlocks your course content, practice tests, and flash cards.
Required Textbooks
Two digital textbooks are required, each with an access code:
1. Pharmacy Calculations for Technicians, 7th Edition
Digital textbook + access code
ISBN: 9798765760109
$102.00
2. Certification Exam Review for Pharmacy Technicians, 6th Edition
Digital textbook + access code
ISBN: 9798319719676 — $116.00
Course materials are purchased through our Foothills store on Paradigm Education. This is the recommended way to purchase — it guarantees you get the correct editions with access codes included. If you buy textbooks elsewhere, you'll still need to purchase access codes separately through the Paradigm site to unlock your online course content.
Prerequisites
- High school diploma or GED
- Basic algebra math skills — the course requires comfort with fundamental math concepts
- Computer with internet access and basic computer skills
- No prior pharmacy experience required
Our program meets North Carolina standards for pharmacy technician training. If you reside out of state, please check with your state's Board of Pharmacy to confirm program requirements.
Certification Path
After completing the program, you will be prepared to:
- Register for the PTCE through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- Pass the exam and earn your CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) credential
- Apply for pharmacy technician positions in retail, hospital, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies
The PTCE exam fee is currently $129 (paid separately to PTCB; check ptcb.org for the most up-to-date fee). Students must apply for the exam within 60 days of completing the course.