Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in North Dakota
Pharmacy technicians are an essential part of the healthcare field and work in a wide variety of locations including retail or hospital pharmacies, insurance companies and long term health-care facilities. Now you can join the 730 actively employed pharmacy technicians in North Dakota by completing a PT (pharmacy technician) training program in under a year.
There are several training options for individuals interested in becoming pharmacy technicians in North Dakota:
- certificate programs (typically less than a year),
- diploma programs (typically one year) or
- an associate degree program (typically two years long and generally includes an externships in the field).
Upon completion of a pharmacy technician training program students should be prepared for entry-level employment working under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist as well prepare students to pass either of the national certifying exams: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Exam or the ExCPT Exam. There are also online pharmacy tech programs with financial aid available in major cities such as Fargo and Bismarck if you're not available to attend school full time.
Upon completion you can further specialize in certain areas such as oncology or nuclear which would make you more valuable and also command a higher wage. (See our related article: Cancer Oncology Tech Responsibilities)
North Dakota Pharmacy Technician Programs
North Dakota State College of Science
800 Sixth Street North
Wahpeton, ND 58076-0002
Phone: 701-671-2114
Rasmussen College
4012 19th Avenue South, Fargo, ND 5810
800-817-0009
Turtle Mountain Community College
101345 BIA Road #7
P.O. Box 340
Belcourt, ND 58316
Phone: (701) 477-7860
CVS Health
2425 13th Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103
(Keep checking their site for opening slots in their on-the-job-training pharmacy technician program).
How much does a pharmacy technician make in North Dakota?
The average North Dakota pharmacy technician salary is $19.12 per hour or $39,770 a year, these figures are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 data.
North Dakota pharmacy technician certification requirements
Candidates must become nationally certified through the PTCB and do either of the following before registering with the North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy:
- Complete a pharmacy technician training program accredited by the ASHP, or;
- Complete an on-the-job training program directed by a pharmacist-in-charge.
There were 800 actively registered PTCB CPhTs that reside in ND.
Do pharmacy techs need a license in North Dakota?
Registration/Licensure with the North Dakota State Board
is required for pharmacy technicians in order to work anywhere in the state of North Dakota.
*Figures courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Employment & Wages database.
Other recommended sources:
http://www.nabp.net/programs/cpe-monitor/cpe-monitor-service/technicians
http://www.ptcb.org/
http://www.pharmacytechnician.org/institute/
http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/