Prepare to take the NHA or PTCE national certification exam
100% online followed by in-person externship
Job interview prep and resume services
ASHP/ACPE-accredited program
1:1 support from enrollment to employment

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 work as a pharmacy technician in Rhode Island, you must meet the age requirements of 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have experience in the field.
02
Enroll in and Complete a Pharmacy Technician Course
Candidates in Rhode Island must complete a state-approved training program, which can include passing the PTCB or ExCPT exam or receiving on-the-job training provided by a pharmacy. Completing a structured pharmacy technician course not only enhances your understanding of job responsibilities but also ensures patient safety through proper medication handling and regulatory compliance.
Stepful’s pharmacy technician training program covers essential topics required for national certification exams. Our program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), ensuring high-quality education and industry recognition.
03
Complete a Pharmacy Technician Externship
Many employers require candidates to have some practical experience. At Stepful, our externships are a part of our curriculum and mandatory. Externships allow students to gain real experience under a pharmacist while developing skills for their new career. Stepful’s career coaches will help you find a local healthcare facility near you.
04
Pass Your Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
Rhode Island doesn’t require pharmacy technicians to become certified, although it makes you more competitive when you obtain your certification. The two most common exams include the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the National Healthcareer Association.
These certifications demonstrate competency and safety, which is a plus when you're job searching.
Students who enrolled in our online pharmacy technician course have a 75% pass rate. After passing your exam, you can register with the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy for your license.
05
Search for Jobs
As a licensed pharmacy technician in Rhode Island, you can begin a fulfilling career that makes a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in healthcare, ensuring accurate medication dispensing and assisting pharmacists in various settings.
You can also check out local pharmacies such as Seaside Pharmacy, Walgreens, or Chapel Pharmacy. Stepful can also help you find the right job for you. Our career coaches will assist you with interviews and resume tips.
Although not mandatory, obtaining national certification from organizations such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) can improve employment prospects, increase earning potential, and provide greater job security.
The Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy serves as a valuable resource for pharmacy technicians, whether they choose to pursue certification or not. It provides information on regulations, continuing education, and best practices to ensure safe and effective pharmacy operations.
In Rhode Island, pharmacy technicians are an essential part of assisting pharmacists and ensuring medication handling is done efficiently. The scope of practice and job responsibilities for pharmacy technicians are regulated by the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy.
Continuing education is not required by the State Board of Pharmacy but is required to maintain PTCB national certification.
In Rhode Island, pharmacy technicians earn an average annual salary of $42,360. Becoming a certified pharmacy technician can improve your job prospects and increase your earning potential.
With over 1,590 pharmacy technicians currently employed in the state, there are numerous opportunities in settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and mail-order pharmacies, where technicians play a crucial role in patient care.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow by 7% from 2022 to 2032, offering job stability and career advancement opportunities. Many positions provide flexible scheduling, including weekends off or part-time hours.
$42,360
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7% Growth
1,590
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Professional organizations for pharmacy technicians provide resources, membership discounts, and networking opportunities. Pharmacy technicians in Rhode Island can boost their knowledge by joining these organizations. Those include:
- Rhode Island Pharmacists Association (RIPA): This association is primarily for pharmacists, but provides resources to pharmacy technicians.
- Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists (RISHP): This society offers resources and support for pharmacy technicians working in health-system settings, including information on certification and training programs.
- National Pharmacy Technicians Association (NPTA): The largest organization for pharmacy technicians. It provides job listings and network opportunities.
- Pharmacy Technicians Certification Board (PTCB): The PTCB is a recognized certification that provides career development opportunities.
- American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT): This national organization educates pharmacy technicians in role advancement.
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.
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.
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’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.

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