Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

29 weeks • ~580 hours • Online + Virtual Lab • Externship (as applicable) • PTCB exam voucher included
Apply Now
Request Info

29 weeks

Program length

20 hours

Estimated weekly effort

$37,000

Average starting salary (estimated)

null

Projected job growth (10 years, estimated)

null

Entry-level job openings (US, estimated)

Menu

Why Choose an Pharmacy Technician Career?

Discover if you’ve got the right mindset — and why this trade offers one of the most stable, in-demand, and rewarding careers in the skilled trades. 

Ideal Personality

You are an Organizer that loves math. You are Detail-exact. You follow steps, you like routine, and you have zero tolerance for mistakes.

What the Work Is Like

You’ll work behind the counter or in a hospital pharmacy, filling prescriptions, counting pills, labeling bottles, and helping pharmacists with insurance calls. The job is repetitive but precise — accuracy matters more than speed.

Job Security

High. Even during downturns, people still need prescriptions, refills, and vaccines — pharmacies stay open and staffed.

Bonus Benefits

Some pharmacy chains pay for certification upgrades or offer discounted college classes, helping you move up to higher-paying roles.

Program overview

Emphasizes patient safety, medication accuracy, sterile and non-sterile compounding basics, inventory and billing workflows, and professional communication. Content maps to the PTCB blueprint; includes practice exams and an exam voucher.

What does Pharmacy Technician do?

Pharmacy technicians support pharmacists in dispensing, inventory, billing, compounding, and safety workflows across retail, hospital, and long-term care settings.

  • Medication order entry & processing
  • Inventory and billing support
  • Sterile/non-sterile compounding basics
  • Patient safety & quality assurance

Certifications earned / eligible for

  • PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  • ExCPT (optional alternate)

Career opportunities summary

Community pharmacy tech, hospital pharmacy tech, long-term care pharmacy tech

Program details

580 hours across didactic lessons, labs/simulation, and externship (as applicable). Designed for ~20 hrs/week pacing.
Request Info

Courses

Lesson 1 - Healthcare Fundamentals

20 Hours

20 Hours

20 Hours

80 Hours

20 Hours

40 Hours

40 Hours

60 Hours

30 Hours

30 Hours

40 Hours

60 Hours

100 Hours

Total program duration: 580 clock hours (~29 weeks)

Exam eligibility note

Includes PTCB practice test and exam voucher. Graduates are prepared for PTCB CPhT; ExCPT is an alternate option.

Enrollment requirements

  • 18+ years of age
  • High school diploma or GED

Student services / supports

  • World-Class Education (job-ready skills)
  • Free Laptop for WIOA-funded students
  • Mock interviews
  • Externship setup assistance
  • Resume building & career coaching
  • Employer outreach on your behalf
  • Application/Cover/Thank-You letter support

Career Outlook

Strong demand across retail and health-system pharmacies; certification improves employability and career mobility.

Job roles & salary ranges

Pharmacy Technician

null

Data sources note: Salary estimates based on national averages; Alabama wages may be lower than national rates.

null

Entry-level job openings (US, estimated)

null

Projected 10-year growth (estimated)

$37,000

Average starting salary (estimated)

Funding & grants

Students may finance tuition via an Income Share Agreement, monthly payment plan or full payment; scholarships may be available for qualifying applicants.

Request Info

Funding options listed

  • Income Share Agreement (ISA) – $0 upfront, pay a percentage of income once employed.
  • Payment Plan – modest upfront fee and flat monthly payments.
  • Upfront Payment – pay full tuition at enrollment.
  • WIOA - free tuition if you qualify

Military spouse grants note

Funding options for military spouses may be available but are not specified.

Military spouse grants note

Elevate has partnerships with 40+ tech employers offering job placement assistance.

Call to action for funding

If unsure about which option you qualify for, speak with admissions or select “I’m not sure” on the funding form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You can request the detailed syllabus from the admissions team. 

Yes. All live classes are also recorded so you can watch at your convenience. 

You have access to all recorded sessions and can replay them as needed; attendance at live sessions is encouraged but not mandatory. 

Live classes are typically held twice per week via video calls; schedules may vary by cohort. 

No. The program welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds with no previous sales experience. 

Many graduates receive 3–5 job offers, sometimes within 90 days of graduation, from Elevate’s employer network. 

Disclaimers & legal notes

ElevateHire (Top Applicant, Inc. dba Elevate) is licensed in Arizona by the State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (License #NAV-01727). Program details, financing options and outcomes may vary by state and are subject to change.  

Scroll to Top