Pharmacy Technician Schools in Shreveport, LA

For several years, the demand for pharmacy technicians has been growing in terms of both demand and earnings potential, and this is true in Shreveport, LA as much as it is anywhere else.

Pharmacy tech allows people from all walks of life to enter the healthcare field and pursue a challenging but lucrative career without having to complete five to six years of formal education. Students can become certified, licensed, and ready to work in the sector in a variety of ways in less than two years, and in many cases in less than a year.

As Louisiana requires certification in order to issue a pharmacy technician license, then those interested in becoming a pharmacy tech in Shreveport will need to attend one of the pharmacy technician schools in Shreveport.

Shreveport, LA Pharmacy Technician Salary and Job Outlook

Before paying for schooling it’s wise to understand the prospects offered by a career as a pharmacy technician in Shreveport, especially when it comes to growth opportunities and salary.

In terms of salary, in Shreveport pharmacy technicians, on average, earn slightly more than both the state and national average.¹

In Shreveport-Bossier City, LA:

• Pharmacy techs on average earn $34,950 per annum/ $16.81 per hour.
• 10% of techs earn $25,090 per annum/ $12.06 per hour or less.
• 10% of techs earn $50,900 per annum / $24.47 per hour or more.

In Louisiana:

• Pharmacy technicians on average earn $33,110 per annum/$15.92 per hour.
• 10% of techs earn $25,130 per annum/ $12.06 per hour or less.
• 10% of workers earn $45,880 per annum/$22.06 per hour or more.

In the United States:

• Pharmacy techs on average earn $33,950 per annum / $16.32 per hour.
• 10% of pharmacy techs earn $24,120 per annum/ $11.60 per hour or less.
• 10% of techs earn $49,130 per annum/ $23.62 per hour or more.

In terms of growth, figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict growth of 11.5% between 2018 and 2028, adding around 1,300 new jobs.² These figures were compiled before the COVID-19 pandemic however. An expanded role for pharmacies in pandemic management - including vaccine administration - has likely increased that figure even higher. 

Pharmacy Technician Schools in Shreveport, LA

As previously mentioned, in Louisiana, unlike some other US states who do not require it, a pharmacy technician must be both licensed by the state and hold formal certification before that license can be issued. They must also be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and provide the state with a Sheriff's Report proving a record free of felonies or drug related misdemeanors.

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, which regulates pharmacy techs and aides, accepts both the PTCE certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the newer ExCPT certification from the National Health Careers Association (NAH) The former is the most commonly taken however.

In the Shreveport area there are three schools that are PTCB approved, a requirement to take the test, that area residents can choose from. Each of them offers something different, so to help you make the best decision for you, here’s a closer look at them all.

1. Remington College

 2106 W Bert Kouns Industrial Loop,  Shreveport, LA 71118 (318) 671-4000

Remington College is a vocationally biased private school that offers both Certificate and Associate Degree Programs. Their Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program is somewhat unique as it can be taken as an on-campus course, an online only offering or a hybrid combination of the two.

Students can choose which learning style they would prefer, and will then be placed according to their wishes if they are considered qualified to do so. In person and hybrid programs are usually completed in ten months, while the online only program is completed in around a year.

The program content is the same across all formats, but online students do not complete an in-person externship, which does put them at a slight disadvantage as they lack the practical hands-on experience some employers look for.

However, all three options are PTCB approved and provide all the knowledge needed to pass the PTCE. They are also accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), something that many similar programs are not.

According to the school's website, the cost of the Pharmacy Technician Credential differs depending on the student's earnings, residence, and family circumstance. Students who are interested in the program should talk with an admissions representative about financing options, including whether they are eligible for federal or state financial assistance and their personal overall costs.

2. Ayres Career College

8820 Jewella Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71108 1-800-317-0131

Another school that focuses on practical, vocational education, Ayres Career College serves students of all ages 18 and over and their Certificate in Pharmacy Technology is a PTCB approved 36-week course offered at their Shreveport campus.

The program covers all the knowledge needed to pass the PTCE and obtain certification, and also offers, at the end of the program, additional PTCE coaching at no additional cost. A 100 hour externship is also included and required for graduation.

Classes are offered on a daytime basis and to enrol students must complete a personal interview with an admissions rep and pass basic skills tests set by the school while also meeting all state requirements for future licensing.

The program cost for in state residents is set at a flat rate of $15,900. That figure included tuition, books, supplies and the fee to take the PTCE. Most students make use of traditional financial aid to cover their costs, or may choose to seek a loan from a private lender like Sallie Mae instead.

3. Bossier Parish Community College

6220 E Texas St,  Bossier City, LA 71111  (318) 678-6000

A traditional community college, Bossier Parish offers both an Associate degree and a Certificate of Technical Studies in Pharmacy Technician. Both programs are approved by the PTCB and both are accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (AHSP).

All students begin in the Certificate program. This takes two full semesters to complete, at the end of which students are prepared to take their PTCE exam. Classes are classroom based in a traditional college campus setting and an externship is arranged by the school to provide practical, hands-on experience, usually in a retail pharmacy setting.

Students must meet minimum academic standards, including minimum SAT scores. Those who do are charged on a per-credit basis for their education. This cost varies according to a student’s residence status and personal circumstances and is lowest for those who live within the parish itself. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and is how 90% of students pay for their schooling at BPCC.

Those who wish to continue to complete an Associates Degree can do so after obtaining their PTCB certification and state license, and can do so on a part time basis for an additional semester. 

References: 

1. O*NET OnLine, Pharmacy Technicians: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-2052.00
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019 Occupational Employment and Wages, Pharmacy Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm

Other schools offering pharmacy technician programs in Louisiana: