Online Pharmacy Technician Program



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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 North Carolina 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 NC
Land a Full-Time Job

To become a pharmacy tech in North Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. All pharmacy technicians must register with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Non-certified technicians must complete a pharmacist-approved training program within 30 days before registering.
If you hold a national certification, you can register before you begin work. North Carolina recognizes certification from the PTCB or NHA.
Meeting North Carolina’s requirements for certified 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.
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.

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 North Carolina is the positive job outlook. Pharmacy techs in North Carolina earn a competitive wage, with an average salary of $41,413 per year, or $19.91 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 15,440 pharmacy technician jobs in North Carolina, or 3.22 for every 1,000 jobs in the state.
Metro areas and regions with the most pharmacy technician jobs in and around North Carolina include:
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 3,340
- Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC: 2,160
- Raleigh: 2,060
- Durham-Chapel Hill: 1,340
Nationally, employment of pharmacy technicians is growing. The BLS estimates that job opportunities for pharmacy technicians will increase by 6% between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average for other occupations.
This high demand means certified pharmacy technicians can find a job more easily and may be able to negotiate for higher wages.
15,440
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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:
- The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP) is the primary professional organization for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in North Carolina, offering continuing education, advocacy, and networking opportunities to advance pharmacy practice across 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 North Carolina, certification is not required to work as a pharmacy technician, but it can improve job prospects and expands the tasks you are allowed to do. North Carolina recognizes only two national certifications, from PTCB or NHA. Stepful’s 4-month training program prepares you to pass both of these exams.
All pharmacy technicians must register with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Non-certified technicians must register within 30 days of completing a mandatory training program. Certified technicians must register before beginning work. You must hold a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for registration.
Pharmacy techs must renew their registrations every two years.
What is Stepful?
Stepful provides online training for healthcare careers, including pharmacy technicians. We are on a mission to create economic opportunity for 1 million job seekers in healthcare.
What is the refund policy?
A student who cancels before the first week of class receives a refund with tuition paid to date with the exception of the $59 non-refundable registration fee. Thereafter, the student who cancels receives a prorated refund.
What Pharmacy Technician certifications do you prepare me for?
Our classes prepare you to test for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s Certified Pharmacy Technician exam (CPhT). You will also be prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association's Certified Pharmacy Technician exam (ExCPT).
Do you help graduates find a job?
What tuition payment options are available?
Students have the options to pay upfront or in installments with a flexible payment plan. Stepful offers partial scholarships, reach out to our admissions team for more information.
What are some of the common responsibilities of pharmacy technicians working in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Common responsibilities include retrieving prescription files and patient records, entering prescription and patient profile information into the pharmacy’s system, preparing labels, counting and measuring medications, compounding, filling automated dispensing systems, and performing other delegated tasks.
Certified pharmacy technicians have an expanded scope: they may also transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies and accept new prescriptions electronically from a prescriber.
Tuition includes online instructor-led Zoom classes, clinical sessions, PTCB & NHA certification exam prep, dedicated 1:1 coaching and job support services. Exam fees are not included in your tuition.
You need a copy of your high school diploma or GED and a stable internet connection.
Is the program online or in-person?
Do you have a partnership with the National Healthcareer Association?
Yes! Our program is recognized by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a leading credentialing organization in the healthcare industry. Our status as an NHA-Recognized Education/Training Program ensures your full preparation for the NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) exam.
Are there things pharmacy technicians are not allowed to do in North Carolina?
Pharmacy technicians in North Carolina may not perform any task that requires professional judgment, including receiving new verbal prescriptions, performing prospective drug review, providing patient counseling, or interpreting a prescription for therapeutic acceptability. A licensed pharmacist must perform these functions. Additionally, non-certified technicians may not transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies or accept new prescriptions received by fax or electronic transmission.
What is included in Stepful’s Pharmacy Tech certification program tuition?
The Pharmacy Technician Professional program includes access to your online classroom, weekly live classes with an instructor, and mock exams for both the ExCPT and CPhT exams.
You’ll also get support to secure an externship site where you will complete minimum 130 unpaid, in-person clinical hours after the 15-week online portion.
What tuition payment options are available?
Tuition can be paid upfront or through biweekly installments using Stepful’s flexible payment plans. We’re committed to keeping our programs as affordable as possible, which is why we offer generous grants for new applicants that significantly reduce tuition costs.
Visit our Affordability page to explore the different ways to lower tuition — including grants, payment plans, and other funding options.
What Pharmacy Technician certifications do you prepare me for?
Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician program prepares you for both the ExCPT exam, issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and the CPhT exam, issued by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Our curriculum is aligned with both organizations’ standards, ensuring that graduates are eligible to sit for these nationally recognized credentials — widely accepted by retail pharmacies, hospitals, and health systems.The ExCPT exam includes 120 multiple-choice questions and carries a fee of $125, while the CPhT exam includes 90 multiple-choice questions and carries a fee of $129.
Exam fees are not included in tuition, but students who register through Stepful may be eligible for discounts or rebates. You may take your NHA exam online or in-person.We’re proud to say Stepful students score about 10 points above the national average on the ExCPT and CPhT exams — a reflection of the quality instruction, curriculum, and support we provide every student.
Do you help graduates find a job?
At Stepful, our mission is to break down barriers to healthcare careers and help every student move into a meaningful role after graduation.
To support that mission, we offer a structured Job Coaching Program that guides graduates into full-time healthcare roles after completing their clinical hours.
Students begin with an 8-week Job Readiness Cohort that combines weekly live coaching, job search strategy, resume building, interview practice, and workplace success skills.
Graduates also receive weekly job leads, and their resumes are shared with Stepful’s healthcare employer partners. For those who need additional support, Stepful provides up to 2 more months of on-demand 1:1 coaching, including mock interviews, resume reviews, and targeted job leads.With this approach, about 60% of graduates secure jobs within 2 months and over 80% within 4 months of starting the job coaching program.
What are the requirements for the externship?
Our career services team will support you with securing an externship opportunity for your 130-hour unpaid, in-person externship at a local pharmacy. Completing the externship is mandatory for graduation.
In order to be eligible for an externship, you must complete the online portion of your class, meet your state licensing requirements, and pass a drug screening, in addition to other requirements.
You can complete your externship on a full-time or part-time schedule, depending on what works best for you, as long as you’re available during standard business hours and can complete a minimum of 20 hours per week on an ongoing basis. Placement is subject to site availability.
What are some of the common responsibilities of pharmacy technicians working in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Common responsibilities include retrieving prescription files and patient records, entering prescription and patient profile information into the pharmacy’s system, preparing labels, counting and measuring medications, compounding, filling automated dispensing systems, and performing other delegated tasks.
Certified pharmacy technicians have an expanded scope: they may also transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies and accept new prescriptions electronically from a prescriber.
What’s the difference between Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician vs Pharmacy Technician Professional program?
While both of Stepful’s programs prepare students for national certification, the Pharmacy Technician Professional program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE), whereas the Pharmacy Technician program is not.
Students in the Pharmacy Technician Professional program will be required to complete and pass admissions requirements in order to enroll in the program. Additionally, for the Pharmacy Technician Professional program, the 130 hour unpaid, in-person externship is required in order to graduate.
Students in the Pharmacy Technician program may graduate after completing the 15-week online classes.
Which program is available to you and which one you should take depends primarily on the requirements in your state of residence.
What is the refund policy?
Stepful offers a 3-day money-back guarantee on all tuition and fees for students who withdraw within 3 days of signing up. After classes begin, students may withdraw within the first two weeks and receive a full refund of tuition.
Enrollment fees are non-refundable after the 3-day guarantee period. Please note that there may be additional flexibility depending on your state’s refund regulations.
What are the requirements to enroll in the program?
To enroll in any Stepful Pharmacy Technician Professional program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a valid government-issued ID
- Have authorization to work in the United States
- Pass a background check
- Pass a general education/math assessment
- Complete an externship agreement form
The best way to confirm your eligibility for the Pharmacy Technician Professional program is to complete our free online application.
It only takes a few minutes and will let you know right away if we serve your area.
Is the program online or in-person?
Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician Professional program is 100% online for 4 months (15 weeks) of live classes and coursework.
After completing the online portion and earning your national certification, you’ll get support from your career services team to secure externship opportunities for a 130-hour unpaid, in-person externship at a local pharmacy. This externship is required to graduate.
Do you have a partnership with the NHA?
Yes! Our program is recognized by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a leading credentialing organization in the healthcare industry. Our status as an NHA-Recognized Education/Training Program ensures your full preparation for the NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) exam.
Are there things pharmacy technicians are not allowed to do in North Carolina?
Pharmacy technicians in North Carolina may not perform any task that requires professional judgment, including receiving new verbal prescriptions, performing prospective drug review, providing patient counseling, or interpreting a prescription for therapeutic acceptability. A licensed pharmacist must perform these functions. Additionally, non-certified technicians may not transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies or accept new prescriptions received by fax or electronic transmission.
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