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Receive your national NHA-CPhT certificate
100% online followed by in-person externship
Job interview prep and resume services
ASHP/ACPE accredited program
1:1 support from enrollment to employment
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What You’ll Learn
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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.
Online Pharmacy Tech classes at your own schedule
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01
Graduate from high school or complete your GED
To become a pharmacy technician in New Jersey, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You will also need to pass a criminal background check.
You’ll need to provide proof of these requirements when enrolling in a training program and registering with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy.
02
Enroll in & complete a pharmacy technician training course
While formal training is not required in New Jersey, completing a pharmacy technician course prepares you for certification and ensures you are ready to do the job.
Stepful’s online pharmacy technician training program covers essential topics like pharmacy law, medication safety, and prescription processing. The program offers a lot of flexibility, so you can complete it even if you’re working or have family obligations.
Our program is designed to prepare you for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) ExCPT exam, one of the two accepted certification exams in New Jersey.
03
Gain hands-on experience through an externship
An externship allows you to gain real-world experience in a pharmacy setting by working alongside licensed pharmacists.
Stepful assists students in finding externship placements* throughout New Jersey, providing valuable training and exposure to daily pharmacy operations.
*Please note that students must be available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., to be eligible for externship support.
04
Pass a pharmacy technician certification exam
To become a certified pharmacy technician, you must pass a national certification exam. The two most recognized certification exams are:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- The ExCPT Exam by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Stepful’s pharmacy technician training program prepares students to take the NHA ExCPT exam and the PTCE, whichever you prefer. Our students have a 75% pass rate—12 points higher than the national average.
05
Get your license and start your new career
New Jersey requires all pharmacy technicians to register with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy before working in the state. You will submit:
- A completed application with a fee
- Proof of high school graduation or GED
- A criminal background check
With your certification and license in hand, you can start working as a certified pharmacy technician.
Stepful’s career support team helps graduates find jobs they want with resume reviews, interview preparation, and job search support.
New Jersey does not require pharmacy technicians to be certified, but earning certification can improve job prospects and salary potential. Many employers prefer to hire certified pharmacy technicians because certification demonstrates knowledge of pharmacology, medication safety, and pharmacy law.
If you choose to become certified, you can take either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the ExCPT Exam offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
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Pharmacy technicians in New Jersey must register with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. Registration ensures that pharmacy technicians have a background check and meet state guidelines.
Pharmacy technician jobs in New Jersey offer a stable career path with strong employment opportunities. As of May 2023, New Jersey employs 11,500 pharmacy technicians. There are 2.73 pharmacy tech jobs for every thousand jobs available in the state.
Pharmacy techs in the state also make a decent salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for pharmacy technicians in New Jersey is $42,120, or $20.25 per hour. Those working in hospitals and specialty pharmacies may earn even higher salaries.
One of the benefits of living in New Jersey is being close to large metro areas where there are lots of pharmacy tech jobs available. The areas with the most jobs in or accessible from New Jersey include:
- New York/Newark/Jersey City with 23,420 pharmacy techs employed
- Philadelphia/Camden/Wilmington with 8,940 pharmacy techs employed
- Trenton with 450 pharmacy techs employed
- Atlantic City with 360 pharmacy techs employed
Nationally, the BLS projects that the employment of pharmacy technicians will grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 47,400 job openings each year over the decade.
This positive job outlook is driven by factors such as an aging population requiring more prescription medications and pharmacy technicians' expanding role in supporting various kinds of pharmacies.
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$42,120
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7% Growth
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11,500
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Joining a professional organization can provide networking opportunities, job resources, and continuing education for pharmacy technicians. Here are some organizations that support pharmacy technicians:
- The New Jersey Pharmacists Association (NJPhA) provides continuing education and advocacy for pharmacy technicians.
- The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) offers certification support and career development.
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the PTCE exam and provides certification renewal options.
What is Stepful?
What is the refund policy?
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What is included in Stepful’s Pharmacy Tech certification program tuition?
What tuition payment options are available?
What Pharmacy Technician certifications do you prepare me for?
Do you help graduates find a job?
What are the requirements for the externship?
What’s the difference between Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician vs Pharmacy Technician Professional program?
What is the refund policy?
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Do you have a partnership with the NHA?
Resources for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians
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