Certified Pharmacy Technician
This course prepares students for entry-level employment in various pharmacy settings and practices, such as: assisting the pharmacist with mixing/packaging prescriptions, inventory control and purchasing, collecting payment, and coordinating billing. Theoretical and clinical components include: medical terminology, pharmacy law, anatomy/physiology, resume prep, and job interview techniques.
Upon completion of the course, students may sit for a national Certified Pharmacy Technician certification exam (a $115 value at no additional cost). Students must possess valid state-issued identification.
There are 3 additional fees associated with the course: students must purchase or rent a textbook and workbook. Students are required to wear uniform scrubs in any color or pattern.
Course Fee: $1400
Completion of course does not guarantee employment.
After enrolling, students will be required to provide proof of diploma/equivalency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long is the program?
A: The Pharmacy Technician Program consists of over 240 classroom hours over an 18-week period. Sitting for the ExCPT exam is also included.
Q: Will this class help me apply for a California Pharmacy Technician license?
A: Yes. Completing 240 hours of the classroom setting and passing the class with a “C” or better will
allow you to apply for the state license. A background check and drug test screening are required for the
license. Other requirements apply which will be discussed in class.
Q: What if I have to miss a few days of class? Vacation, work, family matters, etc.
A: This class has a requirement of 240 hours within a classroom setting to qualify for the state license.
Students who miss enough class time and are not able to accrue the 240 hours will not be able to apply
for the state license in this manner.
Q: Will this class prepare me for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam or the
National Healthcareer Association CPhT ExCPT exam?
A: Yes. The subjects and concepts covered in class will help prepare students to sit for either the PTCB or
ExCPT exam. Tuition for the class includes admission to sit for the ExCPT exam, which upon passing will
provide students with national certification.
Q: Will Golden Oak help me with employment in the pharmacy field?
A: This program cannot guarantee employment.
Q: What materials will I need, aside from the tuition, for this class?
A: Textbooks are included within the tuition. Other supplies needed will be over 200 flashcards (for brand/generic exercises), as well as notebooks, pens/pencils, paper, etc.
Q: Do I have to be extremely computer literate to complete this course?
A: No, however, you do need to be competent with a laptop or desktop computer enough to be able to
access programs on the computers. The pharmacy world is becoming more and more digitized, and
being comfortable with computers will make the technician candidate that much stronger in the
pharmacy field. We will be using laptops throughout the semester to simulate day-to-day pharmacy
duties, and also to play typing games and other activities.
Q: Do I have to be great at math in order to complete this course?
A: You should be able to complete basic algebraic equations, such as “solving for X.” Some examples of
pharmacy math include Days Supply Calculations, IV Flow Rates, Allegations, Roman Numerals,
Household Conversions, and more.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you can give me before entering this program?
A: Consider this program as a semester-long job interview. By being late to class or regularly absent, not
completing assignments, not arriving with homework completed, or otherwise not being a professional
student, it would be difficult for the instructor and Golden Oak administration to recommend that
student for a license.