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Online Pharmacy Technician Program
Stepful graduates were hired at:
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Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in patient care, ensuring that the medications prescribed to them are safe and effective. Stepful’s 4-month online program prepares California residents to pass the National Healthcareer Association’s ExCPT exam or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s CPhT exam. These nationally recognized credentials make you a more competitive job candidate and ensure you’re job-ready on day one.
4-Month Online Class
In-Person Clinicals in CA
Land a Full-Time Job
To become a pharmacy tech in California, you must have a high school diploma or GED and have completed approved training or have a current national certification from either PTCB or NHA.
Meeting California’s requirements for pharmacy techs is not as hard as you would think. Most training programs only require a high school diploma or GED to enroll. For example, Stepful’s program takes only 4 months to complete and prepares you to earn your national Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential from PTCB or NHA.
Stepful students also complete an externship to get real-world, hands-on experience. When you’re ready to apply for jobs, Stepful is right there with you, with resume help, mock interviews, and job search assistance. At Stepful, we support you every step of the way — from enrollment through employment.
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What you’ll learn
Our students pass the NHA ExCPT exam at 75%, over 12 points above the national average. ASHP/ACPE-accredited program — the gold standard in pharmacy technician trainingLive classes twice a week with expert instructors, plus daily assignments and mock exams, all online. We also help you find an in-person externship with a dedicated coach to build hands-on skills.
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Weeks 1-4
Learn the foundational healthcare knowledge you need to become a well-rounded pharmacy technician and start diving into pharmacy practice.
Weeks 5-9
Master the ins and outs of pharmacology and get hands-on with pharmacy calculations and prescription 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.
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.
One of the best things about starting a career as a pharmacy technician in California is the positive job outlook. Pharmacy techs in California earn a decent wage, with an average salary of $50,461 per year, or $24.26 per hour.
There is also a steady demand for pharmacy techs in the state. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are more than 41,420 pharmacy technician jobs in California, or 2.31 for every 1,000 jobs in the state. California is ranked first in the country for the highest number of pharmacy tech jobs.
California metro areas with the highest number of pharmacy technicians are:
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim: 15,030
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward: 4,040
- San Diego-Carlsbad: 3,540
- Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade: 2,630
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara: 2,120
Nationally, employment of pharmacy technicians is growing. The BLS estimates that job opportunities for pharmacy technicians will increase by 6% in the next decade, faster than the average for other occupations (3%).
This high demand means certified pharmacy technicians can find a job more easily and may be able to negotiate for higher wages.
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41,420
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6% Growth
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Pick Your Start Date
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Joining a professional organization is a great way to get access to continuing education, certification programs, networking opportunities, and career development resources. Here’s a short list of excellent organizations you should consider joining:
- California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) represents pharmacy professionals in California’s health-system settings, offering continuing education, advocacy, and professional development to advance pharmacy practice statewide.
- California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) supports pharmacy professionals across California through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities dedicated to advancing the pharmacy profession in the state.
National organizations that support pharmacy technicians in their careers include:
Industry research has shown that 98% of employers require or encourage certification for their pharmacy technicians. So, even in states where it’s not mandatory, certification is a good idea.
In California, either an approved training program or certification is required. The certifications accepted by the state include PTCB’s CPhT exam or the NHA’s ExCPT exam. Stepful’s training program prepares you to pass either exam.
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Pharmacy technicians must register with the California State Board of Pharmacy after completing approved training or obtaining national certification. Candidates must also be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass a criminal background check.
Pharmacy techs must renew their licenses every two years and complete at least one hour of continuing education in cultural competency.
