Pharmacy Technician Programs in Atlanta, GA
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the demand for trained and certified pharmacy technicians across the country, especially as these technicians are now performing more - and more complex - duties than ever before.
This is a great opportunity for anyone to consider a career as a Pharmacy Technician, especially since it is possible to complete certification programs at reputable pharmacy technician schools in as little as one to two years.
For pharmacy technician schooling and training options in Atlanta, GA read on. Moreover, we have added complementary information like the salary and job outlook so that you can find all you need to know under one link.
Featured Pharmacy Technician Programs in Georgia
Salary and Job Outlook for Pharmacy Techs in Atlanta
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website, the number of people employed as certified pharmacy technicians across the state of Georgia in 2019 - the most recent formal statistics available - was 11,360.
Of those people, 5,760 identified as living and working in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. This number has increased however, as many pharmacies, especially CVS, the nation's largest pharmacy chain, went on a hiring spree.
In terms of salary, in 2019 the average median wage for a certified pharmacy technician in Atlanta was $15.70 per hour, slightly higher than the statewide average of $15.08. New techs earned less, an average of $10.76 per hour, but the most experienced certified pharmacy technicians were paid, on average, $22.46 per hour.
It should also be noted that Georgia is one of a number of US states that is now committed to raising the minimum hourly wage to $15, so even for a newly certified pharmacy technician the salary outlook for 2021 and beyond is particularly good, as is the career growth outlook, as pharmacies become not only centers for medication dispensing but also for COVID testing and vaccines.
List of Pharmacy Technician Schools in Atlanta
The rules and regulations surrounding the certification of pharmacy technicians vary from state to state. In Georgia, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy requires all pharmacy technicians to obtain a state license.
Pharmacy technician certification is not mandatory in the State of Georgia, but many employers require, or at least prefer it, and a pharmacy technician certification qualifies applicants for higher level positions that offer better salaries and career growth.
For those who do with to become certified via the PTCB completing an approved training program prior to sitting the PTCE exam is a must.
There are seven pharmacy technician schools in the Atlanta Metropolitan area offering such programs, and each of them offers something different.
Here we are going to take a closer look at each of these schools and those differences, to help you determine which of them might be the right choice for you.
Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology
5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Suite 100 , Atlanta, GA 30342 
(404) 255-4500
The Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology is located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. It is one of five campuses the school maintains, with the others all being located in Florida. As a private vocational college, the school is licensed by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Program is a PTCB approved offering.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Program offered at Cambridge is a 36-week program that prepares students to sit the PTCE exam as set by the PTCB and provides them with the classroom training and hands-on experience needed to succeed in an entry level position as a pharmacy technician in Georgia.
Classes are conducted in a hybrid format, with some modules taught online. Hands-on experience is provided both in a campus-based lab setting and via a clinical rotation with a real-world employer as arranged by the school. Just prior to graduation, students are also given extra exam prep help ahead of taking the PTCE.
The cost of the program is assessed on a per-credit basis, with the cost of the credits dependent on a student's personal situation. Traditional Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify, including Pell Grants that will not need to be repaid. Those who do not qualify for financial aid may be able to take out a private student loan via a lender like Sallie Mae. To find out what your costs might be the school recommends contacting them directly.
To be admitted to the Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology Pharmacy Technician Certification Program students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and be able to pass the criminal background and drug tests needed for Georgia State Licensing.
Kennesaw State University College of Graduate and Professional Education
1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144 470-578-6000
The respected Kennesaw State University College of Graduate and Professional Education, a department within a very respected state college campus, offers a 'fast track' Pharmacy Technician Certification to adult students over the 18 who hold a high school diploma or GED.
The 65-hour program is offered both on a three times weekly day time session or a twice weekly evening session. It covers the basic technical knowledge needed to pass the PTCB certification exam and includes special test prep modules to prepare students for the certification test.
In 2021 the program is offered as a 'hyflex' program, a combination of live Zoom lessons and online coursework that can be completed in the student's own time. In addition, limited hands-on sessions are offered in the school's labs.
The cost of the Pharmacy Technician Certification offered by Kennesaw State University College of Graduate and Professional Education is not covered by traditional financial aid and will be $1,799.
Payment plans are available to help students break up the cost and all materials and required books are included in this cost. The cost of taking the PTCE exam is one that students must meet themselves, however. The program is a PTCB approved offering.
Atlanta Technical College
1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW Atlanta, GA 30310 (404) 225-4400
Atlanta Technical College is a private vocational school located in downtown Atlanta. The school offers three levels of education to those wishing to become a pharmacy technician.
These are
- the Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit,
- the Pharmacy Technology Diploma, and
- the Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program.
All three of these programs are accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which is considered a high honor.
The Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit is a shorter program that covers the basics of pharmacy technology. It is offered as a hybrid online/campus-based program
The Diploma program provides more hands-on training and a higher level of prep for those preparing to take the PTCE. The Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program is a more traditional two-year degree designed to offer a more intensive and technical education that will qualify graduates to work in clinical pharmacy settings.
All three programs are charged on a per-credit basis, but the Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit is offered at a set price. The cost of that program in 2021 is $5,559. The other two are offered on student situation basis.
All three can be paid for via traditional financial aid. Actual costs vary according to a student's personal situation for all but the Pharmacy Assistant Technical Certificate of Credit, and it is recommended that prospective students meet with an admissions' counselor to determine what their personal costs might be.
To be admitted to any of the three Pharmacy Technician programs offered by Atlanta Technical College students must be over 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and pass criminal background and drug tests. In addition, candidates for the Pharmacy Technology Diploma and the Pharmacy Technology Associate Degree Program must meet minimum educational requirements, including the completion of prerequisite courses.
University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education
1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602-3603 706 542 3537
The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education offers a 100% remote Pharmacy Technician Online class that is specifically geared towards ensuring students successfully pass the PTCB exam to obtain formal pharmacy technician certification.
While there are no educational or testing requirements to be admitted to the course Georgia requires that all candidates for licensing pass criminal background and drug tests and both the PTCB and the Georgia Board of Pharmacy require they hold a high school diploma or GED, so this should be kept in mind.
Classes are completed online in a combination of live virtual classes and coursework that can be completed online at a student's leisure. Students may also apply to complete a hands-on professional externship, but completing one is not a requirement for graduation from the program. The program can usually be completed in 9-12 months.
The cost of this program is not covered by traditional financial aid and is $2,495.00. This does cover the cost of taking the PTCE at the end of the course and all books and materials. The course is an approved PTCE training course in the eyes of the PTCB.
Fortis College
2140 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080 (770) 980-0002
Fortis College is a national career vocational school, with a campus located in Smyrna, for Atlanta residents to consider. They offer a Pharmacy Technician Training Program that is designed to prepare students for an entry level position as a pharmacy technician after passing the PTCB exam.
The course, which can be completed in around 36 weeks (about 8 and a half months) on a full-time basis, is designed to provide a broad overview of the skills and technical knowledge needed to pass the PTCB and begin working in an entry level position as a pharmacy technician. It is offered as a hybrid course, with some learning modules completed online and hands-on training provided in the school's labs.
The cost of the course varies according to a student's personal situation, and the school advises scheduling a meeting with an admissions' counselor to determine that cost as well as how much traditional financial aid you might qualify for to help pay for the program.
The requirements to be admitted to the course are minimal, but include holding a high school diploma or GED, being over the age of 18 and passing criminal and drug tests as required by the PTCB and the Georgia Board of Pharmacy.
West Georgia Technical College
997 South Highway 16, Carrollton, GA 30116 (770) 836-6800
A traditional community college located in Carrollton, West Georgia Technical College offers three educational paths for those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician: A Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program, a Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program, and a Pharmacy Technology AAS Degree.
The shortest of these programs, the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program, offers its students a broad overview of the skills and knowledge needed to begin working as an entry level technician as well as to pass the PTCB. It is currently offered as a hybrid online/campus-based program that takes approximately 6 months to complete.
On completion of the Certificate Program students can choose to move onto the more complex courses, an excellent choice for those hoping to work in a hospital setting or in an urgent care or long-term care facility. These courses will also help certified pharmacy technicians progress in their career as minute clinic staff with pharmacies like CVS.
All three programs can be paid for via traditional financial aid, and prospective students are advised to meet with an admissions counselor to determine what their personal costs might be.
All students must meet minimum admission requirements, including holding a high school diploma or GED and passing drug and criminal background checks. Candidates for the Diploma or Degree programs must also meet minimum educational requirements. All three programs are approved by the PTCB.
Southern Crescent Technical College
501 Varsity Road, Griffin, Georgia 30223 770-228-7348
There are two programs offered to students interested in pharmacy technology offered at Southern Crescent Technical College, a traditional community college, at their satellite campus in Griffin, GA.
In addition to an entry level technical certificate program in Pharmacy Technology, the school also an AAS degree program in Pharmacy Technology. Both programs are offered on a full-time basis and delivered in a hybrid online/campus-based format.
The entry level Pharmacy Technician Certification program is designed to offer a broad overview that covers the basics needed to pass the PTCB and to begin work as an entry level pharmacy technician in a retail setting. The more complex degree program is designed for those interested in working in clinical environments or in advancing their careers a little faster.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification program offered at Southern Crescent Technical College is a two-semester offering that can be completed in around 9 months.
The Pharmacy Technology diploma program admits students twice per year each Fall and Spring semester. Students must, in addition to being over the age of 18 and holding a high school diploma or GED, meet minimum basic college admissions standards, including having maintained a 2.5 or better GPA in their senior year of high school. They must also pass drug and criminal background checks.
The cost of both Pharmacy Technician programs - which are approved by the PTCB - is charged on a per credit basis and varies according to student situation. Traditional financial aid is available to those who qualify.