Thinking about becoming a pharmacy technician? Given their wide-ranging responsibilities — from maintaining medication inventory to handling customer interactions — it's understandable to assume that you might need to spend years earning a degree. However, this isn’t the case.
With a diploma or certificate program, you can train for a pharmacy technician career faster than you expect. You’ll not only avoid spending years pursuing an entry-level degree, but also gain a quality education with real-world, hands-on training in actual pharmacy settings.
What Is a Pharmacy Tech?
A pharmacy technician (or pharmacy tech) is a healthcare professional who supports pharmacists in various clinical and retail pharmacy environments. Not to be confused with pharmacists, pharmacy techs handle tasks such as managing prescriptions, measuring and dispensing medication dosages, assisting customers, and keeping accurate patient records.
Pharmacy technicians also oversee medication inventory, restock pharmacy supplies, and ensure that pharmacy operations comply with strict healthcare regulations and guidelines. Anyone striving to become a pharmacy tech must have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities involved in this critical healthcare field.
What Are Pharmacy Technician Degrees?
Pharmacy technician degrees typically refer to associate degree programs offered by community colleges, technical institutes, or vocational schools. These programs usually take around two years of study to complete. However, this can vary widely between students, especially if they’re balancing work and school full-time.
Coursework covers a broad range of subjects, including pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, and healthcare ethics.
Degree programs often incorporate general education courses as well, such as mathematics, English, humanities, and social sciences. Although degree programs provide extensive foundational knowledge, they require a much greater investment of time and money compared to diploma or certificate programs.
What Are Pharmacy Technician Diplomas?
Sometimes referred to as certificates, pharmacy technician diplomas are short-term educational programs designed specifically to prepare students for entry-level pharmacy technician positions. Unlike degree programs, pharmacy technician diplomas typically take six months to one year to complete and focus exclusively on pharmacy-specific education.
Diploma programs emphasize essential practical skills, such as pharmaceutical compounding, medication safety procedures, dosage calculations, and prescription management. Many diploma programs include hands-on clinical training within pharmacy settings, allowing students to gain valuable experience quickly. These practical experiences may serve as a direct pathway into professional placements or additional career opportunities.
Can You Become a Pharmacy Tech With a Diploma/Certification Program?
While it might seem like it, you don’t need a college degree to become a pharmacy technician. In fact, most positions require only a diploma or certification. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate their practical skills, knowledge of pharmacy operations, and readiness to work in a pharmacy — exactly what you learn in pharmacy tech diploma programs.
A well-designed diploma program can quickly equip you with these necessary skills, help you gain relevant experience through clinical training, and prepare you to pass any potential state-specific exams.
Should You Get a Pharmacy Tech Diploma or Degree?
When choosing between a pharmacy technician diploma and a degree, it’s important to consider your goals, timeline, and budget. A diploma program is usually more financially accessible, faster to complete, and emphasizes practical, career-ready skills. This makes diplomas ideal if you want to be prepared to work in the field of healthcare without delay and keep costs low.
However, if your future career plans involve pursuing advanced education — such as becoming a pharmacist or entering pharmacy management — a degree could provide a broader academic foundation. Ultimately, a diploma program allows you to rapidly acquire vital pharmacy skills and begin working promptly, whereas pursuing a pharmacy technician degree could leave you losing valuable time that could have been spent in the workforce.
Become a Pharmacy Tech in Less Than 9 Months With ACC
Choosing the right education is a big decision, regardless of whether you're new to the field of healthcare or pivoting to a different role in the industry. With a diploma program, you’ll be able to begin working as a pharmacy technician much sooner than with a traditional degree program.
While a degree isn't required to become a pharmacy technician, enrolling in an accredited, reputable diploma program that provides real-world, hands-on training is crucial — and ACC delivers just that. At ACC, you can earn your pharmacy technician diploma in as little as nine months.
You also have the opportunity to train alongside licensed pharmacy practitioners, allowing you to start growing your professional network from day one. Plus, weekend classes are conveniently available at ACC’s Los Angeles and Orange County campuses, making it even easier for you to balance your education with your busy schedule.
If you’re ready to begin a career as a pharmacy technician, don’t wait — request information about ACC’s pharm tech program today.
