There are many benefits to becoming a pharmacy technician. You can earn a decent salary, help others, and work from pretty much anywhere.
However, many states require pharmacy technicians to be certified in order to work.
If you're interested in getting your pharmacy technician certification, you may be wondering if you can take the exam without going to school.
The short answer is that it depends on where you live and which certification you are pursuing.
Both the PTCB and NHA allow work experience as a substitute for completing a pharmacy technician training program. Some states allow you to work as a pharmacy without getting certified or going to school, while others require going to school, certification, or both.
This guide goes over which pharmacy technician certification exams you can take without going to school, which states allow you to work without going to school, and everything else you need to know.
Taking the PTCB's CPhT Exam Without Going to School
The PTCB's CPhT certification is the most popular pharmacy technician certification in the nation.
In terms of education/experience requirements, there are two ways to qualify to take the exam:
- Complete a PTCB-recognized education/training program. There are over 1,400 programs that the PTCB recognizes that can help prepare you to take the exam and work as a pharmacy technician. Here at Stepful, for example, we have a 4-month online pharmacy technician program that is recognized by the PTCB.
- Work 500+ hours as a pharmacy technician. If you have worked over 500 hours as a pharmacy technician, you may also be eligible to take the CPhT exam even though you did not attend school.
Other requirements to take the PTCB's CPhT exam include:
- Reside in the United States or its territories
- Disclose all criminal charges
- Disclose any registration/licensure actions with state boards of pharmacy
- Comply with all PTCB certification policies
Taking the NHA's ExCPT Exam Without Going to School
The NHA's ExCPT certification is another popular pharmacy technician that is nationally recognized.
In terms of education/experience requirements, there are two ways to qualify to take the exam:
- Complete a pharmacy technician training/education program. If you've completed a pharmacy technician program in the last 5 years , you are eligible to take the ExCPT exam.
- 1 year of work experience (minimum of 1,200 hours). If you've worked for at least a year as a pharmacy technician (minimum of 1,200 hours), you are also eligible to take the exam.
The only other requirement is that you have your high school diploma or GED.
States That Allow You to Work as a Pharmacy Technician Without Going to School
The following states do not require you to attend a pharmacy technician program or earn your certification to work as a pharmacy technician:
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
The following states do not require you to attend a pharmacy technician program but DO require you to hold a certification to work as a pharmacy technician:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine (for advanced designation)
- Montana
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island (for Tech II designation)
- South Carolina (for State-certified designation)
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wyoming
States That Require You to Attend School to Work as a Pharmacy Technician
The following states require pharmacy technicians to have gone to school or a training program:
- Alabama (or pass exam)
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California (or pass exam)
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana (or pass exam)
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan (or pass exam)
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- North Carolina (or pass exam)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Washington (or pass exam)
- West Virginia
