Ohio Pharmacy Technician Program

Become a certified Pharmacy Technician in OH

Here at Stepful, we have a 4-Month Ohio Pharmacy Technician program that prepares you to take the NHA CPhT certification exam. We offer career coaching plus an optional in-person externship around Ohio.
Spots are limited. We accept qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis.

4-Month online CA Pharmacy Technician course

Receive your national NHA-CPhT certificate

100% online followed by in-person externship

Job interview prep and resume services

1:1 support from enrollment to employment

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Get your Pharmacy Technician certification online while in OH

If you’re looking to take the next step in your career by becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) in Ohio, Stepful’s online pharmacy technician program can help you achieve your goals.

Our Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) & National Healthcareer Association (NHA) approved program prepares you to earn your CPhT certification online, perform all the duties of pharmacy technicians, and find a job near you in Ohio after graduation.

Our Ohio pharmacy technician classes take 4 months to complete and cover essential topics such as pharmacology, prescriptions, pharmacy calculations, and more.

At Stepful, it's not just about getting certified; we are here to help students gain real world experience and land full time jobs. The Stepful staff is here to support you at every stage of the journey. From career preparedness to help finding an in-person externship*, we're here to help you launch your career in healthcare.

*Please note, students must be available M-F, 9-5 p.m. to be eligible for externship support.

75%
NHA Certification Pass Rate
+12 Points Above the National Average

What You’ll Learn

Our 4-month online Pharmacy Technician program will prepare you to pass the NHA-ExCPT exam.

Weeks 1-4

Learn the foundational healthcare knowledge you need to become a well-rounded pharmacy technician and start diving into pharmacy practice.

Intro to Pharmacy
Inventory Management
Pharmacy Law & Ethics

Weeks 5-9

Master the ins and outs of pharmacology and get hands-on with pharmacy calculations and prescription medications.

Pharmacology
Dosage Calculations
Handling Medications

Weeks 10-14

Develop skills in processing and dispensing prescriptions, and prepare for the NHA ExCPT Exam with mock tests and a comprehensive review of key pharmacy concepts.

Pharmacy Calculations
Processing Prescriptions
NHA ExCPT Mock Exams

Weeks 15+

Apply everything you learned online and earn clinical hours in a pharmacy setting. Our experienced coaches will help polish your resume, prepare you for interviews, and support you in your full-time job search.

NHA ExCPT Exam
Externship
Full-time Job

Online Pharmacy Tech classes at your own schedule

You'll have two live classes per week and should plan for 90 minutes of additional daily coursework.
Apply Now
You'll select a class time after you sign up.

How to become a certified Pharmacy Technician in Ohio

Becoming a pharmacy technician in Ohio involves several steps to ensure you meet state standards. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has detailed its requirements for registered and certified pharmacy techs. Here are the steps you’ll take to start your new career:

01

Graduate from high school or complete your GED

In Ohio, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check to work as a pharmacy technician.

You’ll need proof of these items when you enroll in a training program and register with the state.

02

Enroll in & complete a pharmacy technician training course

Pharmacy technician training courses prepare you with the skills and knowledge needed for certification. Our program here at Stepful covers critical topics like pharmacy law and medication safety and gives you hands-on training in drug preparation.

In Ohio, certified pharmacy technicians must complete an approved technician training program. These programs, like ours at Stepful, need to have accreditation from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). This accreditation recognizes the high quality of services and care provided by Stepful’s online pharmacy technician course.

03

Complete a pharmacy technician externship

Many aspiring pharmacy technicians seek out externships to gain hands-on experience. During an externship, students work alongside experienced pharmacists, applying their knowledge in real-world settings and developing practical skills they will need for their careers. 

Stepful supports our students in finding externship opportunities*. Organizations in Ohio that can offer externship opportunities, but are not necessary affiliated to Stepful, include the Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals and many local pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS.

*Please note, students must be available M-F, 9-5 p.m., to be eligible for externship support

04

Pass a pharmacy technician certification exam

To become a certified pharmacy technician in Ohio, you must pass a national certification exam, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or NHA's ExCPT exam. Stepful’s students have a 75% pass rate for the NHA exam, 12 points above the national average.

After passing your exam, you will register with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to get your pharmacy technician license. 

05

Start your career

With your certification and license in hand, you can start your job search. Pharmacy technicians work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, and research organizations across Ohio. There are even work-from-home options.

A quick search of job websites like Indeed and LinkedIn will show you that there are many pharmacy technician jobs available in Ohio.

Stepful career counselors will support your job search with resume reviews, mock interviews, and career coaching. We are as excited as you are to see you start your dream job in Ohio.

Requirements to become a Pharmacy Technician in Ohio: certification & licensing

Each state has its requirements for pharmacy technicians, and Ohio is no exception. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy regulates pharmacy technicians to ensure safe and effective medication distribution. To work legally in the state, you must meet certification and licensing requirements.
Part-time online healthcare classes

Ohio Pharmacy Technician
certification requirements

To become a certified pharmacy technician in Ohio, you must pass a nationally recognized certification exam such as the PTCB or NHA

These exams test your knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacy law, and medication safety.

Part-time online healthcare classes

Ohio Pharmacy Technician
license requirements

In addition to certification, Ohio requires pharmacy technicians to register with the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. The state offers different categories of registration, including Certified Pharmacy Technician, Registered Pharmacy Technician, and Pharmacy Technician Trainee. 

You can find a detailed breakdown of each category and its requirements in the Ohio Board of Pharmacy’s official Pharmacy Technician Registration FAQ.

Ohio Pharmacy Technician scope of practice & common responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians help people get the medication they need. Their responsibilities commonly include:

  • Collecting patient information: Medications can be dangerous if given to the wrong patient. Pharmacy technicians make sure that the name, birthday, and address match the prescription label before giving a medication.
  • Measuring medications: Medications come in many different strengths or concentrations. Pharmacy technicians measure medications and count pills to make sure that their customers go home with the correct amount.
  • Create clear labels: Pharmacy technicians must check labels to make sure that the patient’s name, instructions, and expiration date are all clearly visible.
  • Organizing inventory: With so many different pills, liquids, sprays, and drops to keep track of, pharmacy technicians have to work hard to keep everything organized. 
  • Handling customer payments: Pharmacy technicians figure out billing and charge patients the right amount. They often help patients find coupons or discounts for their medications.
  • Processing insurance claims: If the customer's medication is covered by insurance, the pharmacy technician may be responsible for submitting the claim to the insurance company for payment.
  • Getting important questions answered: Pharmacy technicians make sure that the patient understands the correct dose, timing, and route of administration for their prescription before they go home. If the patient has questions about safety, side effects, or drug interactions, they can direct them to the pharmacist for more information.
  • Keeping customers safe: Most importantly, the pharmacy technician is the last line of defense for the patient before they take their medication home. The pharmacy technician has to stay alert for anything that seems dangerous, like an extremely high dose, allergy risk, or risky combinations of medication.

The Ohio Administrative Code does not explicitly list prohibited tasks. However, by looking at the scope of allowed activities, we can see that certain responsibilities are reserved exclusively for pharmacists and doctors.​

In Ohio, pharmacy technicians cannot:

  • Counsel patients on medications
  • Provide clinical advice or medication recommendations
  • Perform final medication verification before dispensing
  • Modify medication dosages
  • Prescribe medications
What Pharmacy Technicians can do
and common responsibilities in Ohio

Pharmacy technicians help people get the medication they need. Their responsibilities commonly include:

  • Collecting patient information: Medications can be dangerous if given to the wrong patient. Pharmacy technicians make sure that the name, birthday, and address match the prescription label before giving a medication.
  • Measuring medications: Medications come in many different strengths or concentrations. Pharmacy technicians measure medications and count pills to make sure that their customers go home with the correct amount.
  • Create clear labels: Pharmacy technicians must check labels to make sure that the patient’s name, instructions, and expiration date are all clearly visible.
  • Organizing inventory: With so many different pills, liquids, sprays, and drops to keep track of, pharmacy technicians have to work hard to keep everything organized. 
  • Handling customer payments: Pharmacy technicians figure out billing and charge patients the right amount. They often help patients find coupons or discounts for their medications.
  • Processing insurance claims: If the customer's medication is covered by insurance, the pharmacy technician may be responsible for submitting the claim to the insurance company for payment.
  • Getting important questions answered: Pharmacy technicians make sure that the patient understands the correct dose, timing, and route of administration for their prescription before they go home. If the patient has questions about safety, side effects, or drug interactions, they can direct them to the pharmacist for more information.
  • Keeping customers safe: Most importantly, the pharmacy technician is the last line of defense for the patient before they take their medication home. The pharmacy technician has to stay alert for anything that seems dangerous, like an extremely high dose, allergy risk, or risky combinations of medication.
What Pharmacy Technicians cannot do in Ohio

The Ohio Administrative Code does not explicitly list prohibited tasks. However, by looking at the scope of allowed activities, we can see that certain responsibilities are reserved exclusively for pharmacists and doctors.​

In Ohio, pharmacy technicians cannot:

  • Counsel patients on medications
  • Provide clinical advice or medication recommendations
  • Perform final medication verification before dispensing
  • Modify medication dosages
  • Prescribe medications

Job Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians in Ohio

Pharmacy technician jobs in Ohio provide a promising career path with strong job security. As of May 2023, Ohio employs 17,370 pharmacy technicians, with new job openings regularly appearing in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and long-term care facilities.

In Ohio, the average salary for a pharmacy technician is $41,150 per year. Opportunities for even higher pay exist in hospitals and specialized pharmacies, depending on whether you are certified and how much experience you have.

The areas with the most jobs for pharmacy techs in Ohio are in the following metropolitan areas:

  • Cincinnati: With 3,450 pharmacy technicians employed, this is the state’s highest employment region for pharmacy techs.
  • Cleveland: The second highest number of jobs can be found in this region, with 3,380 pharmacy technicians employed.
  • Columbus: Coming in third, this region employs 3,100 pharmacy technicians.

A career as a pharmacy technician offers stability, competitive pay, and potential for career advancement. With Stepful’s online pharmacy technician training program, you can quickly gain the skills needed to enter this growing field.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow nationally due to an aging population and increased reliance on prescription medications. The BLS projects that the pharmacy technician field will grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, adding thousands of new jobs nationwide.

Part-time online healthcare classes

$41,150

Average salary in Ohio
Medical Assistant job placement support

+

7% Growth

National from 2023 to 2033
NHA CCMA Certification

17,370

Local # of jobs in Ohio as of May 2023

Professional organizations for Pharmacy Technicians in Ohio

Joining a professional organization can provide networking opportunities, job resources, and continuing education for pharmacy technicians. Here are some organizations that support pharmacy technicians:

  • Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA): The Ohio Pharmacists Association provides pharmacy technicians access to continuing education, professional development opportunities, and industry updates. The association also advocates for pharmacy technician roles in healthcare and offers resources to help technicians stay informed on best practices and regulatory changes. 
  • National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA): This national organization provides certification preparation, continuing education, and career resources. 
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): The PTCB offers certification exams and continuing education to maintain your credentials. 

Pharmacy Technician program FAQs

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Join thousands of students getting certified with Stepful!

4-Month online pharmacy technician course
Receive your national NHA-CPhT certificate
100% online followed by in-person externship
Job interview prep & resume services
1:1 support from enrollment to employment
Spots are limited. We accept qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis.
4-Month Pharmacy Technician course
Receive your national CPhT certification
100% online followed by clinical hours
Job interview prep and resume services
3-Day money back guarantee available