Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Utah

Utah is home to 4,400 salaried pharmacy technicians which means that out of the nation's 436,630 employed pharmacy technicians, just over one percent live in "The Beehive State".

Aspiring pharmacy technicians have many opportunities to choose from as Utah is home to over 35 hospitals, a great number of highly ranked and top-performing medical facilities and hundreds of medical and health care centers not to mention the retail and large chain pharmacies where more than 50% of pharmacy technicians work. 

Completion of an ASHP pharmacy technician training program in Utah is a requirement for new trainees. There are several state approved pharmacy technology training programs: certificate programs (typically less than a year), diploma programs (typically one year) and an associate degree program (typically two years long and generally includes an externship in the field).

These programs consist of a mix of classwork, labwork and a clinical externship in experiential training facilities. 

What To Look for in a Pharmacy Technician Program

The work of a pharmacy technician becomes more involved and multifaceted each day, thanks in part to pharmacies' expanded role in general healthcare during the pandemic, and it offers an interesting, well-paid entry into the medical field for people prepared for the challenge.

The requirements to become a pharmacy technician in the State of Utah are more stringent than they are in some other states. Pharmacy technicians must obtain licensing from the state, and to do that they must meet a strict set of requirements, including holding official certification from the PTCB or NHA and proof of completion of a state approved pharmacy technician training program.

This means that choosing a pharmacy technician program that meets your needs and offers you the best chance of success in both the certification exam and future career is a must.

But what should you look for? 

Here are some of the most important points to keep in mind as you search for the right pharmacy technician program for you.

You might also like to check out: What Are Some of the Related Jobs to Pharmacy Technicians?

Accreditation

Accreditation is a sign that a program meets the high standards of some very important bodies. In Utah, attending an PTCB/NAH accredited school is a must, as it is a requirement for licensing.

For would be pharmacy technicians, in addition approvals from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) accreditation form the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is also a very good sign that a pharmacy technician program offers a high standard of required education.

Classroom Learning and Lab Work Mix

A pharmacy technician's day-to-day responsibilities include a mix of mental and physical chores, ranging from completing insurance paperwork and record keeping, to drug preparation, dispensing, and occasionally even engaging in initiatives such as minute and vaccine clinics. You'll be best prepared for these responsibilities if you enroll in a pharmacy technician program that includes a balanced mix of both classroom and lab work.

Certification Prep

Whether you choose to take the PTCE or the ExCPT certification exam, both are tests that should be thoroughly revised and prepared for. Many students will benefit from a pharmacy technician program that includes additional certification test preparation, especially if they struggle with revision on their own.

Externship

Externships give aspiring pharmacy technicians a taste of the real world, and they not only provide essential additional hands-on training, but they also look great on a resume!

The Granite Technical Institute in UT offers a 450-hours pharmacy technician program consisting of classwork and a clinical internship. The course is designed to help graduates seek entry-level employment as pharmacy technicians but also to enable them to sit the PTCB certification examination and the State of Utah law examination.

For further information contact the program director at (385) 646-4350.

The Salt Lake Community College offers a pharmacy technician program consisting of classwork and a clinical externship. Class sizes are small in size (30) which makes for a better learning experience. Classes start in the Fall and Spring. Upon completion students can sit the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, apply for state licensure and qualify for entry-level job positions as pharmacy technicians.

For further information contact the program director at (801) 957-5364.

Utah Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Certification is required for the State of Utah. 

The state of Utah require pharmacy technicians to be certified through either PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) or ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians).  

There were 4,120 PTCB CPhTs currently residing in UT as of December 31, 2021.

Utah Pharmacy Technician Registration/Licensure Requirements