California Pharmacy Tech Certificate – CA

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 21 2010

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How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in California

1. The first step is to find the right California pharmacy technician certification program for you, to earn a degree as a Pharmacy Technician. As of Jan. 1st, 2004, experience as a Pharmacy Technician alone no longer qualifies for Pharmacy Techs for California state licensure. You must look into education options that suite your needs and will earn you the degree necessary to work for a pharmacy in the state of California. Pharmacy Technician certificates are acquired by successfully completing all of your formal education requirements (a minimum of 240 hours of instruction combined with other required courses).

2. After you have successfully completed a California Pharmacy Technician certification program, to work as a Pharmacy Tech in California, you must maintain current registration with the California State Board Pharmacy (CSBP).
http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf
To be considered, you must fill out the (17A-5) application to prove your qualifications. If you are qualifying by one of the following methods:

An associate degree in Pharmacy Technology
Completion of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Any other accrediting courses that provide a minimum of 240 hours instruction, as specified in the California Code of Regulations
Graduation from a Pharmacy School accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, the (ACPE)

If you are qualified with training provided by any branch of the federal armed services, then you are required to submit the original, or a certified (notarized) true copy of your DD214 with your application. If you are certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), you must submit a certified copy of your PTCB certificate with your application.

3. After you have graduated from a pharmacy tech certification program, here’s how you can apply to become a Pharmacy Technician in California. In order to register, first it is mandatory that you have your fingerprints submitted. For more details on this procedure, visit
http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

The in-state fee is a non-refundable fee of $ 50.00, and you must complete the live scan process. For out of state fees, submit rolled fingerprints on cards along with the non-refundable fee of $ 51 (turn in with your application). To register in state or out of state, visit this website at www.pharmacy.ca.gov or you can call (916) 574-7900.

4. After all applicable fees have been paid and your finger prints have been collected, you may complete the application process by attaching a 2”x2” photo (taken within 60 days of filing) to your application, and sending it in to the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Professional Organizations related to becoming a Pharmacy Technician in California

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
(PTCB- California)
https://www.ptcb.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=State_Boards1&Template=/CustomPages/StateBoards/Listing.cfm

Mission statement: “The PTCB represents excellence, and a safety first mentality. Maintaining the highest standards of quality, and putting emphasis on providing the best health care for Californians”

By staying on the cutting edge of upcoming changes in pharmacy procedure, consumer demand, and ever-changing health care trends, the PTCB is one of the most reliable sources for education, licensure, and maintaining certification for Pharmacy Technicians in the state of California.

Phone: (916) 574-7900
Fax: (916) 574-8618
1625 N Market Blvd. N219
Sacramento, CA 95834

National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)
http://www.pharmacytechnician.org/en/cms/?443

The NPTA is the world’s largest professional organization in existence that is dedicated specifically for pharmacy technicians. Also known for providing unmatchable support and resources to its members.

Phone: (888) 247-8700
Fax: (888) 247-8706
P.O. BOX 683148
Houston, TX 77268

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
http://www.aacp.org/about/Pages/default.aspx

Mission statement: “The mission of AACP is to focus on the entire academic community of pharmacy professionals, and work closely with major accrediting bodies such as the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to ensure a top level reputation in its industry”

All pharmacy technician certificate providers and pharmacy schools in the US are regular or associate members of the AACP.

Phone: (703) 739-2330
Fax: (703) 836-8982
1727 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT)
http://www.pharmacytechnician.com/

The AAPT has vast options in the world of Pharmacy Technicians, and offers a wide variety of education on positions in its field. AAPT also puts focus on future changes in the pharmaceutical industry, and is able to prepare its students to have a boastful repertoire full of knowledge about newly developing laws, technologies and procedures in the state of California.

Toll Free: 877-368-4771
Phone: (336) 333-9356
P.O. BOX 1447
Greensboro, NC 27402