Pharmacy Technician Programs in Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale is a fast-growing suburb of Phoenix, and while many of its residents are relatively new to the area, it is actually one of the oldest settlements in the state, having been established as a farming community in the early 1800s.

As the area expands, so do the career opportunities available to local residents, including those interested in undertaking the challenging but financially rewarding career of pharmacy technician. 

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Becoming a Pharmacy Technician

The "right-hand person" to a supervising pharmacist, a pharmacy technician typically plays a crucial part in the daily operations of any pharmacy, whether it is situated in a retail or clinical setting.

State Requirements

The State of Arizona, like the majority of the US states, requires pharmacy technicians to be licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy

The Board believes that pharmacy technicians must have the appropriate education and training, since the range of duties that they may be expected to do is growing steadily more sophisticated, especially as retail pharmacies are now offering both minute clinics and vaccinations, which, aside from the pharmacist themselves, only a certified pharmacy technician can participate in.

Certification Requirements

Candidates must show they have passed one of two national certification examinations, the PTCB or ExCPT, in order to become a pharmacy technician in Arizona and receive that crucial license.

Before applying to take either of these tests, students must be able to prove they have completed an authorized course of study.

This makes enrolling in a pharmacy technician school almost mandatory.

In addition to the educational requirements, prospective pharmacy technicians should be aware that in order to be licensed and work in Scottsdale, Arizona or anywhere else in the state, they

  • must obtain an Arizona fingerprint clearance card,
  • have completed high school or obtained their GED,
  • possess a state-issued photo ID, and
  • successfully complete a drug test 
  • the payment of a licensing fee of $82 is also required.

Pharmacy Technician Programs in Scottsdale, AZ

To become a pharmacy technician in Arizona, you must pass a national certification exam, thus you must first enroll in and successfully complete a PTCB/ExCPT-approved course at a pharmacy technician school.

How can you choose among the options that are reasonably close to Scottsdale when, as you'll see, there are so many options?

Although everyone's ultimate choice will be different, it is essential to ensure that the class structure matches your lifestyle and that you can find a timetable that works with the rest of yours.

Many students prioritize the ability to use financial aid to pay for their schooling, and while not a must, gaining real-world experience while still in school may be quite beneficial, and frequently be an excellent way to impress potential employers.

With that in mind, let's look more in-depth at the pharmacy technician classes that are available to you at these eight schools, along with a brief summary of what they each have to offer to help you make the right decision for you.

1. Scottsdale Community College

9000 East Chaparral Road,
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
(480) 423-6000
Website

For Maricopa County residents, especially those living right in Scottsdale, the new 16 credit Pharmacy Technician Training Program offers a fast, convenient path to obtaining the knowledge they will need to pass their PTCB or ExCPT Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

The program, which can be completed in two semesters of full time study and includes a school arranged 200 hour externship with a local pharmacy employer, is open to high school graduates (and those holding a GED) who can meet the basic requirements for community college acceptance.

Students may need to complete a basic skills test if they did not attend high school and completed a GED instead. Upon graduation from the program the credits earned may be applied to future study at the school in one of their healthcare based AS degree programs.

The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge needed to pass the PTCB or ExCPT exam, and the focus on practical campus based lab work offers pharmacists solid experience and insight into the physical aspects of the job.

Federal financial aid is available to those who qualify, with the lowest tuition rates offered to Maricopa County residents. Some mature students may also qualify for a state workforce grant to help cover the costs of their program participation.

2. American InterContinental University

Campus: Offered Online to AZ Residents via the Arizona Workforce Initiative
Website

The Pharmacy Technician program at American InterContinental University is an online course that has received approval from both the PTCB and the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. It gives students the knowledge they need to take the PTCB exam necessary for pharmacy tech certification.

The 400-hour course is intended to be finished in a maximum of 12 months, but students who want to complete it sooner can do so if they are ready to put in more study time. There are no prerequisites for the course, but both the PTCB and the State Board of Pharmacy demand that participants have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

The course includes additional education in critical areas such as legal protocol for pharmacy technicians, HIPAA, controlled substance management, and advanced pharmacy terminology. It also covers all the content required to pass the PTCB exam. This program does not qualify for financial aid, but some state residents may be able to get some help meeting the cost by applying for a workforce grant.

3. Arizona’s Virtual Pharmacy Tech School

Campus: Online
Website

Another pharmacy technician school in Scottsdale, Arizona that offers its program entirely online and is designed to be finished in as short as 21 weeks of study is Arizona's Virtual Pharmacy Tech School. However, students are free to alter the pace as necessary to accommodate their own schedules.

A thorough review of the knowledge required to pass the PTCB exam is provided in the course. A brief work experience assignment in a nearby pharmacy serves as the required practical component of the course. Both Walgreen's and Pillpack are partners with the school, and if necessary, the school can also assist in setting up an externship at another neighborhood pharmacy.

Federal financial aid is available to students who meet the requirements to help defray their costs. For students who cannot afford to pay the full cost of the course up front, payment plans are also an option. The only academic prerequisites are a GED or high school diploma, which must be presented to the school before a student can enroll.

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4. East Valley Institute of Technology

1601 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201
(480) 461-4000
Website

The Cognia-accredited career and technical school known as EVIT, or East Valley Institute of Technology, is situated in downtown Mesa and serves district, charter, and homeschooled high school students from the 11 East Valley school districts around Scottsdale.

High school students from Apache Junction, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Higley, J.O. Combs, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe, as well as homeschooled children who are registered as residents of these areas, may enroll in a career training program at EVIT.

Students who have completed at least six high school courses and are eligible may enroll in the Pharmacy Technician program at EVIT. The course provides an excellent introduction to the field and lasts two regular semesters.

For qualified students, all fees, including bus transportation to the Mesa location, are covered. However, students cannot take the PTCB or acquire licensing until they are 18 and possess a high school diploma.

5. Phoenix College

1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 285 7777
Website

Phoenix College provides Maricopa County individuals with a high school diploma or GED a short course, noncredit Pharmacy Technician Program at a discounted price. The campus-based 72-hour curriculum can be finished in 14–16 weeks of study, or roughly one semester.

The program provides a further focus on the proper management of controlled substances and working with cutting-edge pharmaceutical options like Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and IV medications, in addition to covering all the fundamental information and knowledge required to take and pass the PTCB certification exam.

Traditional financial aid is not available to cover the cost of the program, but there are payment options available to spread the expense over the course of the program. Residents of Maricopa County who can demonstrate their residency will pay the lowest rates and might be qualified for various workforce grants.

6. Brookline College

445 W Dunlap Ave
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Toll-Free: 888-875-1353
Website

At both of its campuses in Tempe and Phoenix, Brookline College offers a 36-week Pharmacy Technician program that gives students an in-depth overview of the knowledge required to pass the PTCB certification exam as well as the chance to complete an externship with a local pharmacy employer, typically in a retail pharmacy setting.

In this hybrid curriculum, a sizable percentage of the written course material is intended to be completed online. It is an excellent alternative for working people or busy parents who must balance their education with other commitments because of its flexibility. Evening classes are offered, which again may be a boon for those who work during the day, as lab work must be completed on campus in person, even if the rest of the course is completed online.

For those who qualify, traditional financial aid is provided to cover tuition fees; students who can demonstrate local county residency or specific financial challenges will be assessed the lowest rates.

7. Carrington College

2149 W Dunlap Ave, Ste 103
Phoenix AZ 85021
(602) 427-0722
Website

Carrington College, a for-profit vocational school, focuses on providing students with a practical, hands-on education in a variety of disciplines, including pharmacy technology. Numerous campuses across the US, including those in Mesa and Phoenix, provide pharmacy technician certificate programs.

The program includes a school-arranged externship with a nearby retail pharmacy and practical training in the campus labs, which should provide students with all they need to pass their PTCB certification exam.

If a student desires to continue their formal education, credits acquired upon completion of the Pharmacy Technician Program may transfer to one of the school's Health Studies AS Degree programs. It's definitely worth thinking about because a pharmacy technician with an advanced degree frequently qualifies for more challenging positions and earns more money.

The curriculum typically takes 9 months of full-time study to complete, and the only academic requirement to enroll is confirmation of high school graduation or GED completion. Conventional Federal financial assistance is offered to those who qualify.

8. GateWay Community College

245 East Buckeye Road,
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 238-4350
Website

A more advanced program, the Certificate of Competency (CCT) in Pharmacy Technician, is available to students who can meet more stringent academic requirements, such as having a high school diploma, maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher in their senior year, and finishing a number of prerequisite college-level courses in Math and English.

An Associates Degree program in a relevant field is offered at GateWay and several other community colleges in the same system, and credits gained in the completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program may later be applied there.

The 618 clock-hour program must be completed in one academic year of full-time study and has a required 200-hour on-site internship with a local employer. The majority of students receive traditional financial aid to cover their tuition costs, with Maricopa County locals paying the lowest.

What Can I Earn as a Pharmacy Technician in Scottsdale, AZ?

When selecting a new professional path, especially one that requires attending school, the main concern that everyone has is how much of a return they will get on their time, effort, and financial commitment. 

Employer to employer will determine how much you can make as an entry-level pharmacy technician, but recent data can give you some insight.

The average pay for an entry-level, or Level 1 pharmacy technician, in Arizona in 2022 was $15.59 per hour, which was somewhat less than the national average of $18.17 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

These are based on projections of salary for pharmacy technicians with less than two years of experience who are certified and licensed. With expertise, a pharmacy technician can expect to make up to $20.00 on average per hour at a retail pharmacy , or more than $23.90 per hour in a clinical setting like a hospital.

Search Pharmacy Technician Programs

Get information on Pharmacy Technician programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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