Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Delaware

The tiny state of Delaware is home to approximately 165 hospital and retail pharmacies employing nearly a thousand pharmaceutical technicians and clerical assistants.  Pharmacy technicians are trained health professionals who assist pharmacists with counting, sorting, compounding, packaging and labeling prescription drugs.  Other required tasks may include ordering supplies, answering phones, database management, careful record keeping and frequent compliance checks.  Despite the state's lack of legal requirement, more than eighty percent of Delaware's pharmaceutical assistants are licensed, Board certified pharmacy technicians.  Delaware pharmacists clearly prefer assistants who are Board certified over unlicensed assistants who are legally restricted to clerical and administrative duties. 

Delaware State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

In the state of Delaware, no particular training or licensing is required to be employed as a pharmacy technician.  Training is typically administered on-the-job by a supervising pharmacist or pharmacy manager.  There is also no legally determined maximum ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists, and continuing education is only required for those who wish to maintain their status as licensed as pharmacy technicians.  The professional activities of pharmacy technicians in Delaware are decided by the supervising pharmacist, in accordance with existing federal laws.  For example, federal law dictates that an unlicensed pharmacy technician is not legally permitted to make decisions regarding medications, issue drug information to patients, validate refills or change dosages.  Board certification in the state of Delaware consists primarily of passing one of two state-approved pharmaceutical exams.  The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam and the nationally recognized Exam for Certified Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) are equally valid in Delaware.  Although certification is voluntary, pharmacists strongly prefer licensed technicians, so techs who are Board certified enjoy a broader range of local opportunities than unproven pharmacy assistants. 

Delaware Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

In Delaware, there exist many ways to gain the education and experience needed for professional employment as a pharmacy technician.  Local residents who are interested in this line of work sometimes acquire skills and certificates at accredited local colleges.  Delawareans seeking Board-approved certification programs for pharmacy technicians typically attend University of Phoenix in Wilmington.  On the other hand, many local pharmacy technicians are trained on the job at local pharmacies.  Some aspiring pharmacy technicians acquire professional qualifications via online educational degree programs.  Popular accredited online colleges featuring Associates degrees for pharmacy technicians include Ultimate Medical Academy, Southeastern College, Medix School, UEI College and Northwest College, to name only a few.