Online Pharmacy Technician Programs FL
It's no exaggeration to say that a pharmacy technician can make a big impact on the lives of the patients they work with. Usually serving as their first, and primary, point of contact, patients rely on pharmacy technicians to ensure that their medications are dispensed quickly and accurately, that their insurance is billed correctly, and that they understand just how to use the medications they are prescribed.
These days the pharmacy technician's role is becoming even more diverse, with many taking part in retail pharmacy minute and vaccination clinics, or working in clinical settings like hospitals and nursing homes. While a formal education is not mandated in the State of Florida, completing a program at a pharmacy technician school in Florida can be the key to gaining the knowledge and experience needed to obtain a highly valued formal certification via the PTCB or NHA, and to obtain a great position that is as satisfying financially as it is professionally.
Find out more about Florida pharmacy technician schools.
Online Pharmacy Technician Schools in Florida
For those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in Florida and heading to school to obtain a more formal education, there are a number of schools to choose from, each of which offers something different, in terms of cost, program delivery, duration and more. To help you make the best choice for you, here is a closer look at them.
1. FVI School of Nursing and Technology
Delivery: Hybrid
Address: West Flagler Suite 220, Miami 33144
Phone: 305-665-1911
Website
FVI is a private vocational college focusing solely on medical professions, including pharmacy technology, and their 34 credit, 9 month program provides a PTCB approved education that prepares students to both take their PTCB certification exam and work as an entry level pharmacy technician in a variety of settings.
The program is offered in hybrid format, consisting of written classwork and video lessons that can be completed online, live video lectures and a series of on-campus practical classes in the school's lab.
While PTCB certification is NOT required to practice as a pharmacy technician in the state of Florida, formal certification overwhelmingly improves employment prospects and salary and students are prepped for, and encouraged to take, the PTCB certification exam at the end of their course of study.
The cost of the FVI Pharmacy Technician Diploma program for 2022/23 is set at $15,600.00 with an additional approximately $1800 in fees for a total of around $17,200. Those who qualify can apply for Federal financial aid to help meet their costs. Other admission requirements include being over the age of 18, holding a high school diploma or GED and meeting minimum English language, math and computer proficiency standards as set by the school.
2. Concorde Career Institute
Delivery: Hybrid
Address: 10933 Marks Way, Miramar, FL 33025
Phone: 954-731-8880
Website
Concorde is a national vocational technical school that offers a range of career diplomas, including one in Pharmacy Technology offered as a hybrid, 6 month program at their Miramar campus. In this case hybrid means that while much of the written coursework can be completed online on a student's own schedule, attendance for practical lab classes on campus twice a week is a must.
Students are offered a broad overview of the pharmacy technician's role and the basic skills they will need to work as an entry level pharmacy technician. In addition they receive specific prep and coaching to take their PTCB exam to obtain the formal certification that can be so very useful as their career progresses.
The cost of attendance varies according to a student's age, income, residence and other living circumstances. A calculator is provided by the school to determine an estimate if needed. According to the school 69% of its students pay for their education via traditional federal financial aid.
To be admitted, students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a school skills assessment and have a formal signed financial plan on file.
3. Rasmussen University
Delivery: Online
Address: 4755 Southwest 46th Court, Ocala, FL 34474-6226
Phone: 352-629-1941
Website
Rasmussen offers students the chance to complete an online only Pharmacy Technician Certificate in as little as 9 months of independent study. The program is PTCB approved and offers both a comprehensive overview of the skills needed to work as an entry level pharmacy technician and specific test prep for those who want to take their formal certification exam.
While the program is designed to be completed online, students do have the option to complete a school sponsored internship with a local employer and/or complete certain practical lab sessions on campus. To be admitted to the program in general students must be 18 or older and hold a high school diploma or GED. To complete an internship students must meet vaccination requirements and submit a background check report.
The cost of attendance varies depending on the age, income, domicile, and other living circumstances of the student and a cost estimate can be obtained by contacting the admissions office. 90% or more of the students enrolled in the program make use of federal financial aid to pay for their studies.
4. Atlantic Technical College
Delivery: Hybrid
Address: 4700 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33063-3902
Phone: 754-321-5100
Website
Atlantic Technical College offers those interested in becoming a pharmacy tech two paths to the education they need to be awarded a diploma in pharmacy technology, either an online course of study or a hybrid online/on campus experience offering additional practical lab work.
Both paths can be completed in about 9 months, and offer both a basic overview of the skills needed to work as an entry level pharmacy technician and the prep to take and pass one of the national certification exams. The program is PTCB approved and awards credits that can later be transferred to one of the school's Associate Degree programs.
The cost of the program is a set one, and the rate for in-state Florida residents in 2022-2023 is set at $3,487, and includes all books, supplies, fees and other incidentals. Most students will be able to make use of federal financial aid and state grants to pay for their education.
5. Florida Career College
Delivery: Hybrid
Address: 989 North Semoran Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32807-3528
Phone: 407-956-5501
Website
Florida Career College offers a hybrid online/on campus PTCB approved Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program that can be completed in as little as 10 months but is designed to take no longer than twelve.
Open to those over the age of 18 who hold a high school diploma or GED, the course offers a complete foundational knowledge of the skills needed to work as an entry level pharmacy tech as well as the tools and information students will need to pass their certification exam should they choose to take it.
The program is offered in the form of online video lessons and live lectures, as well as hands-on, on-campus lab sessions. Its cost varies according to a student's personal circumstances, but is eligible to be paid for via federal financial aid for those who qualify, with a limited number of school scholarships available to students who demonstrate academic excellence.
6. Ultimate Medical Academy
Delivery: Online
Address: 1255 Cleveland St. Clearwater FL 33755-4933
Phone: 727-298-8685
Website
UMA's pharmacy technician educational offering differs in that it can be selected as a major as a part of a larger, eighteen month Associate Degree in Health Science. Students over the age of 17 who hold a high school diploma or GED are admitted according to their previous academic performance in high school.
The program is currently primarily offered online, via a series of video lessons and lectures, but lab classes are completed on campus, and a 180 hour internship is mandated prior to graduation.
While the degree program itself takes 18 months of full time study to complete, some students may be ready to take their PTCB certification in as little as twelve (prior to the completion of the general education courses needed for their degree) and can request additional test taking coaching prior to doing so which will be offered one on one online.
The cost of this degree program varies according to a student's personal circumstances, and a personal estimate of costs can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office. Most students, according to the school itself, make use of traditional federal financial aid to pay for their schooling.
Pharmacy Technicians in Florida FAQs
How long is a pharmacy technician program in Florida?
The scope and designation - diploma, certificate, Associates Degree etc. - determines the length of each individual program. Some diploma programs can be completed in as little as seven months while an Associates degree may take up to eighteen months.
Can you be a pharmacy tech without certification in Florida?
Florida is not one of the US states that mandates that a pharmacy technician obtains formal certification to practice. The Florida Board of Pharmacy does however require registration with them, and to obtain that students must complete an approved training program, offered either by an educational facility or an employer.
In addition, to obtain registration, candidates must be 17 or older, have a criminal record free of drug related felonies and submit to ID verification and fingerprinting at their own cost.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Florida?
Just how much you can make as a pharmacy technician in Florida varies according to experience level, job title and location. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 the average annual salary for pharmacy technician was $36,810, with the bottom 10% earning $30,110 or less while the top 10% of earners commanded $46,810 or more.
Find out more about How Much Pharmacy Techs Earn.