To become a Pharmacy Technician, a certification program at a State Licensed School is required. Some schools may require you to have a High School Diploma or GED, but most will only require you to take an entrance exam. This is to ensure that you are at the appropriate educational level.

Pharmacy technicians have more duties than a pharmacy aid and there are more opportunities in this case. This is another reason why more and more people chose to apply for pharmacy tech education. It is also important that when you complete the courses of a pharmacy technician school you also pass an exam and get your certification. This way it will be much easier for you than for other to get a job. This kind of work is needed because of the increase in population and because of the growing number of the hospitals.

Certification with the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (NPTCB) can increase your pharmacy technician salary. Salaries will also vary depending on the work setting. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that those who work in general medical or surgical hospitals will earn an average of $12.32 per hour, while those working in a department store pharmacy will make an average of $9.69 per hour.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May, 2008, Pharmacy Technicians earn $19,270 to $39,480. The median salary is $27,710. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the average annual starting salary for a Pharmacy Technician is $19,000. For more information on Pharmacy Technician salaries, visit this link on the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment for Pharmacy Technicians is expected to increase much faster than the average through 2016. Job opportunities are expected to be good. This is due to the increasing elder population who use a large amount of prescription medication. In addition, as scientific advances continue for treating conditions, more Pharmacy Technicians will be needed to fill a growing number of prescriptions.

How can I find a good online Pharmacy Technician school?

For those pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician, coursework in biology, chemistry, health, and mathematics is recommended, but not required. Areas of study include medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record keeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Although not required, certification is offered through the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Nevertheless if you graduated any pharmacy technician school you do not have the same chances to obtain a good job as you would have if you get a certification too.