Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona

The state of Arizona features nearly a thousand hospital and retail drug dispensaries employing roughly 6,710 licensed pharmacy technicians.  Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation and processing of prescription drugs and other legally controlled substances.  The pharmacy technician's job responsibilities may include counting pills, labeling containers, checking labels for compliance and performing various administrative tasks such as database management and patient record updates.  Pharmacy technicians come in contact with controlled substances on a daily basis, so various state rules and guidelines will apply.

Arizona State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

The state of Arizona requires Board certification for all pharmaceutical technicians.  State Board certification is the same as licensing.  It involves standardized testing and an internship, not to mention registration fees, annual renewal and continuing education.  Arizona accepts only test results issued by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).  According to state law, all pharmacy technician license holders must be at least 18 years of age and of “good moral character,” with no prior felony convictions.  They must also have passed the PTCB exam and spent a designated number of hours as interns. Written Arizona state laws pertaining to  pharmacy technicians cover topics like preparation, compounding, packaging, labeling, record keeping and transfer of prescription meds and other controlled substances.  Permissible activities of a licensed Pharmacy Technician include mixing, reconstituting, packaging and labeling controlled substances under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.  All tasks must be verified by the pharmacist.  Pharmacy technicians also frequently check labels for compliance with state laws.  Prohibited activities of pharmacy technicians include writing or issuing prescriptions or refills, making decisions regarding patient care and conducting psychological counseling.  The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy offers full and up-to-date details regarding exams, regulations and licensing for pharmacy technicians. 

Arizona Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

Arizona residents interested in landing employment as pharmaceutical technicians often acquire skills at accredited local colleges.  Prominent examples include The Bryman School in Phoenix and Pima Community College in Tucson, for instance.  Also popular is University of Phoenix, which maintains facilities in Chandler, Mesa, Nogales, Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Tucson and Yuma. Some aspiring pharmacy technicians acquire skills online.  Popular accredited online colleges for pharmacy technicians include Southern Careers Institute, Southeastern College, Lincoln Technical Institute, UEI College and Vatterott College, to name only a few.  Board certified license training for Arizona pharmacy technicians is also sometimes available at select local pharmacies.