Virginia Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

As of July 2012, the state of Virginia had several requirements for aspiring pharmacy technicians. They must complete a board-approved training program OR earn Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification AND register with the State Board. To earn PTCB certification, individuals must take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or other board approved examination. Exams may be taken online or at more than 200 professional centers nationwide. Visit the PTCB website to get started.

Registering with the State of Virginia

According to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, “there are two methods for obtaining registration as a pharmacy technician.” Either of the following methods is acceptable:

1. If an individual holds current certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), then he may submit the online Application for Registration as a Pharmacy Technician to the Board for review. Information regarding obtaining certification from PTCB may be accessed at www.ptcb.org and the Board’s online application may be accessed at www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/.

2. An individual must satisfactorily complete a Virginia Board of Pharmacy approved training program, pass a Board of Pharmacy approved examination, and then submit the online Application for Registration as a Pharmacy Technician to the Board for review. Additionally, there are currently two Board approved examinations. An individual may either take and pass the Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam or the ExCPT exam.

Information for the Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam may be accessed at www.smttest.com/vapt and information for the ExCPT exam may be accessed at www.nationaltechexam.org

For those individuals interested in completing a training program, as stated, the program must be Virginia Board of Pharmacy approved. Fortunately, the state of Virginia has a wide variety of approved programs to choose from. Some are offered at community colleges and universities, while others are offered at medical centers such as Augusta Medical Center or corporations such as Walgreen Company, Target Corporation, and The Kroger Company. Learning centers and public schools offer even more options.  

The list of popular programs below is just a start. For the complete list, visit the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

Virginia Schools with Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Pharmacy Technician Programs - Major Virginia Colleges and Universities

National College – Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Salem

Norfolk State University – Virginia Beach

Stratford University – Falls Church, Glen Allen, Woodbridge

VCU School of Pharmacy – Richmond

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Other Virginia Colleges

Blue Ridge Community College – Weyers Cave

Central Virginia Community College – Lynchburg

Danville Community College – Danville

ECPI University – Virginia Beach,

Lord Fairfax Community College – Middletown

Mountain Empire Community College – Big Stone Gap

New River Community College – Dublin

Northern Virginia Community College – Springfield

Thomas Nelson Community College – Hampton

Tidewater Community College – Norfolk

Virginia College – Richmond

Virginia Western Community College – Roanoke

Wilkes Community College – Wilkesboro

Wytheville Community College – Wytheville