Build Skills for a Successful Career in Pharmacy
Online Pharmacy Technician Training Course
Develop the knowledge and practical skills used in pharmacy settings with flexible online training through GBCC. Explore medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmacy calculations, medication processing, pharmacy law and regulations, patient care, and other essential areas of pharmacy practice.
As you progress through the pharmacy technician course, you will connect key concepts to practical application. An online lab module provides hands-on practice with prescription processing, medication dosing, and pharmacy procedures to help reinforce what you learn.
The course also prepares you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). After successfully completing the course, you can pursue the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential, with an exam voucher included.
Skills and Knowledge You Will Gain
- Develop an understanding of the pharmacy technician role, including essential professional skills and communication expectations
- Understand pharmacy regulations and standards designed to support patient safety, quality care, and proper medication handling
- Build knowledge of medical and pharmaceutical terminology and foundational anatomy and pharmacology concepts
- Develop skills in pharmaceutical calculations and medication dosing
- Learn how to identify medication orders and accurately interpret prescription forms
- Understand medication processing, storage, handling, and quality assurance procedures
- Apply pharmacy procedures through hands-on practice in an online lab environment
- Prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
Career Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians continue to play an important role in supporting pharmacists and helping pharmacies meet the medication needs of patients. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of pharmacy technicians to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 44,700 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.
In New Hampshire, pharmacy technicians earn a median annual wage of $47,360, compared with the national median of $45,750, according to 2025 BLS wage data. In the Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area, the median annual wage is $47,210.
Certification may also factor into salary opportunities. Indeed reports an average salary of $70,419 per year for certified pharmacy technicians in New Hampshire, based on salary data from job postings. Actual earnings can vary based on certification, experience, employer, location, and job responsibilities.
Course Eligibility and Requirements
To register for this course, you must be 18 years of age or older. You should be proficient in keyboarding, have a basic understanding of word processing, have a command of English grammar and punctuation, and have a basic understanding of high school math.
Pharmacy technician requirements vary by state. Before registering, you should review your state’s Board of Pharmacy requirements to ensure this course meets the requirements where you intend to work.
This course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in Florida, Ohio, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, or West Virginia. It also does not meet Canadian regulatory requirements or prepare students for Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification.
Upon successful course completion, you will receive an exam voucher for the PTCE.
Certification Preparation
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) credentials pharmacy technicians who are qualified to support pharmacists and patient care teams across pharmacy practice settings.
This course prepares you to take the PTCE and pursue the CPhT credential. The curriculum provides training in pharmacy procedures, medication processing, and other knowledge and skills relevant to pharmacy technician practice.
As part of the course, you will also have the opportunity to apply for a hands-on, 130-hour Clinical Experience. Clinical Experience requirements vary by state, and placement is not guaranteed. Participation may require a background check, drug screening, professional liability insurance, immunization requirements, and other state or pharmacy requirements.
Betty Stahl
Betty Stahl holds a doctorate in pharmacy from Shenandoah University. Over the past several years, she has taught pharmacy technician programs at ASA College in New York City and ACT in Arlington, Virginia. Stahl has also worked as a pharmacist in independent and hospital settings.
Lorraine Zentz
Lorraine Zentz holds a bachelor’s degree in science, with a focus on biology and chemistry, and a master’s degree in education, specializing in curriculum and instruction. She is a licensed educator in Colorado for middle and high school science and math. Lorraine is the original author of the Cengage Pharmacy Technician Program and has facilitated students since 2003. With over 30 years of experience working in hospital pharmacies and a passion for teaching, she remains deeply committed to both fields.
Lorinda Lohner
Lorinda Lohner holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and an MBA, bringing over 25 years of combined experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. For more than 15 years, she has served as a Pharmacy Technician Program Director and professor, leading ASHP-aligned programs and designing curricula for high schools, colleges, and technical institutions across Nevada. She creates digital pharmacy education programs used by students nationwide.
Her work bridges academic excellence with real-world practice, preparing the next generation of pharmacy professionals through innovative, evidence-based instruction. Lorinda is dual-certified by both the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and has been honored as a National Master Teacher. Prior to her academic career, she spent a decade in the multinational pharmaceutical sector, where she held leadership roles in marketing and business development.
Jeffery Simmons
Jeffery Simmons holds a Master of Education in Learning and Technology and brings 19 years of experience as a pharmacy technician and 14 years in pharmacy training and education. For more than six years, he served as an Academic Program Director, directing an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician program. He currently serves as Manager of Design & Development at CVS Health, where he specializes in instructional design and curriculum development aligned with ASHP and Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) standards.
Jeff has delivered career-aligned training through online, hybrid, in-person, and simulation models. Credentialed as a State Certified Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina and by the PTCB, his work bridges academic excellence with real-world pharmacy practice, preparing the next generation of pharmacy professionals.
Medical Terminology Instructors
Our medical terminology course section is taught by multiple experienced instructors.
Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with students in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have about the course content.
