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The first step to becoming a pharmacy technician is earning a high school diploma or GED. Most students who did not complete high school can get their GED online after just a few weeks of study.
Aspiring pharmacy technicians may choose to enroll in an online course, attend a trade school or community college program, or earn a pharmacy technician associate degree.
Online options like Stepful’s 4-month pharmacy technician training program are typically the shortest and least expensive. Trade schools and community colleges last between 6 months to a year and are slightly more expensive, and earning an associate degree takes about two years and can cost more than $10,000.
Even though it may sound like you need an associate degree, most organizations only expect pharmacy technicians to have a certificate. It is important, however, to choose a program that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Externships are a vital part of your pharmacy technician education. During an externship, students will shadow an experienced pharmacy technician and get hands-on experience mixing compounds, interacting with patients, and identifying high-risk medications.
Good training programs will help their students find clinical opportunities at a convenient location and help students coordinate their externship hours.
There are two different certification exams that pharmacy technicians can prepare for. The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and the Certified Pharmacy Technician Exam (ExCPT) is offered by the National Healthcareer Association. Both of these are nationally recognized certifications.
Our program at Stepful prepares students to take and pass either exam.
After earning your certificate, you will be ready to start searching for a job. Searching for a job can be overwhelming, which is why our instructors help students build a resume, practice their interview skills, and apply for jobs.
Many certified pharmacy technicians are successful in finding jobs using search sites such as monster.com and indeed.com, while others choose to apply directly on healthcare organization websites.
Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician program has received accreditation by ASHP! American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is the only nationally-recognized pharmacy association that accredits pharmacy technician training programs in the United States. ASHP accreditation represents formal recognition of the high quality of services and care provided by Stepful’s Pharmacy Technician program.
Pharmacy technicians in Mississippi are not required to earn a certification. However, it is important to keep in mind that the 2025 Industry Outlook shows that 98% of employers require or encourage certification for pharmacy technicians in their organizations.
Pharmacy technicians in Mississippi do not have to obtain a license, but they do have to register with the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy. To register as a pharmacy technician, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, be 18 years of age, submit a fingerprint card, pass a criminal background check, and submit an online application.
Because there are so many potential dangers and risks with medication dispensation and administration, pharmacy technicians have to pay close attention to their own scope of practice and make sure to communicate well with the pharmacist.
The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy has very specific regulations about what responsibilities can be handled by a pharmacy technician.
Common responsibilities that should be handled by the pharmacy technician include:
There are a few responsibilities within a pharmacy that can only be handled by the lead pharmacist or pharmacist in charge. These include:
Pharmacy technicians are in high demand in Mississippi. The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is positive, 7% between 2023 and 2033, which is nearly double the average outlook for other career choices across the United States (4%).
In addition, pharmacy technicians can work in a variety of locations, including outpatient pharmacies, hospitals, care centers, retail pharmacies, and more. This means that once you have earned your certification, you should be able to find a job and start earning your salary relatively quickly.
There are also many growth opportunities for pharmacy technicians, including becoming a shift supervisor, an instructor, or applying to pharmacy schools and becoming a doctor of pharmacy.
The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy supports pharmacy technicians and pharmacists throughout their careers. They are heavily involved in creating laws, determining the scope of practice, and clarifying licensing requirements for all pharmacy workers in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Pharmacists Association is also heavily involved in supporting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in Mississippi. They advocate for pharmacy technicians and help influence policy to create safe practice standards in pharmacies.
The National Healthcareer Association and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board are other great resources for pharmacy technicians. They both offer continuing education opportunities, annual conferences, advanced certifications, and career support for pharmacy technicians in Mississippi.
4-Month Online Pharmacy Technician Course
Receive your National NHA-CPhT Certificate
100% Online Followed by In-Person Externship
Job Interview Prep and Resume Services
1:1 Support From Enrollment to Employment
