If you’re thinking about a career as a pharmacy technician, you’ll need to know what’s actually required to get started. The path is straightforward, and you don’t need a college degree or prior healthcare experience to begin. In Florida, it’s also a field with strong demand, with the Florida Center for Nursing projecting a 23% increase in demand for pharmacy technicians through 2037.
Here’s a quick summary of what it takes:
- No college degree required — pharmacy techs earn a diploma through a training program
- No prior healthcare experience needed to enroll in a training program
- A training program covers pharmacology, pharmacy law, compounding, and more — and typically includes a supervised externship
- After completing a program, you’ll sit for a national certification exam (the PTCE or ExCPT)
- In Florida, you must register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy before you can begin working
What You’ll Need to Get Hired as a Pharmacy Technician in Florida
Here are the key requirements you’ll need to meet, step by step.
1. A High School Diploma or Equivalent
Applicants must be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma, GED, or recognized equivalent. No college degree or prior college credits are required. Applicants with international education may need to provide an official translation and evaluation certifying U.S. high school equivalency.
2. Completion of a Pharmacy Technician Training Program
A formal training program provides the knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry-level pharmacy work. Coursework typically covers:
- Anatomy and physiology fundamentals
- Pharmacology (drug classifications, interactions, dosing)
- Pharmacy law and regulations (FDA, DEA, HIPAA)
- Pharmaceutical calculations
- Sterile and non-sterile compounding
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
- Certification exam preparation
Most programs also include a supervised externship in a working pharmacy, where students gain real-world experience before graduating.
At FVI, the Pharmacy Technician program in Florida is approximately 9 months and includes a 180-hour externship.
3. A National Certification
After completing a pharmacy tech program, graduates may sit for a national certification exam. The two recognized exams are:
- PTCE — Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination, administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
- ExCPT — Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Both exams lead to the same credential: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). You only need to pass one. Both cover core areas like pharmacology, pharmacy law, medication safety, and dispensing procedures, though they differ in format and emphasis. A well-structured training program builds preparation for these exams into the curriculum.
Completing a training program does not guarantee certification. Candidates must sit for and pass the exam independently.
4. Florida Board of Pharmacy Registration
In Florida, pharmacy technicians must register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy before they can begin working. The registration application includes a criminal background check and fingerprinting. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant — the Board reviews applications on a case-by-case basis.
This is a separate step from earning your national certification — both are required to work as a pharmacy technician in Florida. Registration requirements vary by state, so anyone planning to work outside Florida should check with the appropriate state board.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
Pharmacy technicians work alongside pharmacists to prepare and distribute medications in a variety of healthcare settings. Day-to-day responsibilities commonly include:
- Receiving and processing prescription orders
- Counting, measuring, and packaging medications
- Labeling prescriptions with correct dosage and patient information
- Mixing and compounding medications, including IV solutions
- Managing pharmacy inventory (ordering, stocking, tracking)
- Entering prescription data into the pharmacy’s computer system
- Assisting patients and directing clinical questions to the pharmacist
Pharmacy technicians work in retail and chain pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, outpatient care centers, and pharmaceutical companies. The core responsibilities are similar across settings, though the pace and workflow can vary.
Job Outlook and Salary for Pharmacy Technicians in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $43,460 as of May 2024. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
At the state level, the Florida Center for Nursing’s 2022–2037 Workforce Projections show that demand for pharmacy technician services in Florida is projected to rise by 23% through 2037. In South and Southeast Florida, that translates to an estimated 1,760 additional full-time positions by 2037 — and that figure doesn’t include the regular job openings from turnover and retirements that occur each year.
Pharmacy technician programs prepare graduates for entry-level roles, and starting salaries will typically fall below the median figures listed above. Salary varies based on location, employer, experience, and certifications held. BLS salary data reflects the national median across all experience levels and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed starting wage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to become a pharmacy technician?
No. Pharmacy technicians complete a diploma program. No prior college credits are required to enroll.
Do I need healthcare experience to get into a pharmacy tech program?
No. Training programs are designed for students with no prior healthcare background. Career changers, recent high school graduates, and people exploring the healthcare field for the first time are all common profiles for pharmacy tech students.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
Program lengths vary, but many can be completed in under a year. FVI’s Pharmacy Technician program is approximately 9 months. After graduating, you’ll also need time to sit for your certification exam and complete your Florida Board of Pharmacy registration before you can start working.
What certification exams do pharmacy technicians take?
The two nationally recognized exams are the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination) and the ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians). Both lead to the same credential — Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) — and you only need to pass one. Candidates sit for one of these exams after completing their training program.
Do I have to be registered to work as a pharmacy tech in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires pharmacy technicians to register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. This is separate from national certification. Both are required.
Can I work while attending pharmacy tech school?
It is possible to work while enrolled in a training program if it offers flexible class schedules that fit around your work commitments. FVI’s program is designed to accommodate students who are working. Classes run Monday through Thursday, with a choice of day (8:30 AM–1:30 PM) or evening (5:30 PM–10:30 PM) sessions — so students who work during the day can attend classes in the evening, and vice versa.
Is financial aid available for pharmacy tech programs?
At FVI, financial aid is available to those who qualify. The financial aid team can walk students through completing the FAFSA and exploring grants, loans, and other funding options.
FVI’s Pharmacy Technician Program
FVI School of Nursing and Technology offers a Pharmacy Technician program in Florida designed to prepare students for entry-level pharmacy careers in hospital and retail settings.
- Complete the program in approximately 9 months — 36 instructional weeks, including a 180-hour externship in a working pharmacy
- No prior healthcare experience or college credits required to enroll
- Designed for working adults — classes run Monday through Thursday, with day and evening sessions available. Fridays are free.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) instruction at FVI’s Miami Pharmacy Technician school
- Certification exam prep built into the curriculum — aligned with both the PTCE and ExCPT
- Externship and clinical opportunities may be available through approved partner sites.
- Over 85% program completion rate, based on reported program outcomes. — the large majority of students who start the program finish it, reflecting FVI’s commitment to supporting students throughout their training
- Personalized support — small class sizes and individualized guidance from enrollment through graduation
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
- Career Services support available after graduation, including resume and interview guidance
- Accredited by the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) and licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a pharmacy technician career, contact us to learn more, schedule a campus visit, or apply now to get started.
Graduation does not guarantee employment or licensure. Pharmacy Technician certification requires passing the PTCB or ExCPT exam and registration with the Florida Board of Pharmacy. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures reflect national medians across all experience levels and are not representative of entry-level salaries or guaranteed outcomes for graduates.
