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If you are interested in the medical industry and building a career in Arizona, becoming a pharmacy tech may be the right choice.
Before you can work, you will need to meet some criteria which are presented below.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements in Arizona
In order to be able to get employed as a pharmacy tech, you need to:
- Have a high school diploma or a GED
- Be at least 18 years old
- Pass a background check
- Pass an exam
- Get licensed
You will also need some training, which can be done while you are hired or within a school program.
The pharmacy tech programs in Arizona are provided by trade schools or technical colleges.
These usually have a duration between 1-2 years and they usually award a diploma, certificate, or even an Associates’s degree.
During these training programs, individuals will learn more about:
- Medications,
- Keeping records
- Pharmacy laws
- Ethics
- Arithmetic needed by pharmacist techs
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Arizona College | 4425 W Olive Avenue Suite 300, Glendale, Arizona 85302 |
| Arizona College | 163 N Dobson Rd, Mesa, Arizona 85201 |
| Brookline College | 2445 W. Dunlap Ave., Ste. 100, Phoenix, Arizona 85021 |
| Brookline College | 1140-1150 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85281 |
| Brookline College | 5441 E. 22nd St, Ste.125, Tucson, Arizona 85711 |
| Carrington College | 1001 Southern Ave., Ste. 130, Mesa, Arizona 85210 |
| Carrington College | 8503 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051-4063 |
| Carrington College | 3550 N Oracle Rd., Tucson, Arizona 85705-5885 |
| Central Arizona College | 8470 N Overfield Rd, Coolidge, Arizona 85128-9030 |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | 1601 W Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85201 |
| Eastern Arizona College | 615 N. Stadium Ave., Thatcher, Arizona 85552-0769 |
| Mohave Community College | 1971 Jagerson Ave, Kingman, Arizona 86409-1238 |
| Pima Community College | 4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 957 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202 |
| Pima Medical Institute | 3350 East Grant Road, Suite 200, Tucson, Arizona 85716 |
| Sanford-Brown College | 9630 North 25th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85021 |
| South Mountain Community College | 7050 S 24th St, Phoenix, Arizona 85042 |
| University of Phoenix (Online Campus) | 3157 E. Elwood Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034-7209 |
| Yavapai College | 1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, Arizona 86301 |
Many individuals choose the programs lasting 2 years as they have better chances of building a career with an Associates’s degree.
Some of the schools have a day, evening, and online classes, so it’s best to check out this aspect before enrolling.
Depending on the program, there are also various starting dates, making it easier to plan the budget for it.
Additionally, not everyone will be accepted upon enrolling, as certain criteria should be met:
- High school diploma or an equivalent
- Passing a reading test
- Passing a math test
For those who worry about the tuition, it is a good idea to ask the school they’re interested in if they have any scholarship opportunities.
Getting Certified
In Arizona, pharmacy techs need to be certified, and the certification is awarded to those who pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
This exam is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Furthermore, these techs have 2 levels of licensing:
- Pharmacy Technician Trainee
- Pharmacy Technician Full License
The difference between the two levels is that the exam is needed only for the second.
The certification has to be renewed every 2 years by attending 20 hours of continuing education, from an approved curriculum.
Salary
On average, a pharmacy tech will earn, in Arizona, $34,658 per year, which is a bit lower than the national median salary for this occupation.
Their salary will depend mostly on the type of license they have and experience.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | $34,735 |
| Tucson | $32,937 |
| Mesa | $34,073 |
| Chandler | $34,073 |
| Scottsdale | $34,073 |
| Glendale | $34,735 |
| Gilbert | $31,279 |
| Tempe | $34,073 |
| Peoria | $34,665 |
| Surprise | $34,189 |
Regional Salary in Arizona
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 130 | $46,390 | $22.3 | $57,490 | $36,750 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 200 | $42,380 | $20.38 | $48,240 | $35,370 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 8,240 | $45,580 | $21.92 | $57,260 | $35,630 |
| Prescott, AZ | 220 | $45,100 | $21.68 | $58,350 | $35,380 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 130 | $43,290 | $20.81 | $51,650 | $35,880 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,350 | $45,430 | $21.84 | $57,670 | $36,970 |
| Yuma, AZ | 170 | $43,390 | $20.86 | $50,270 | $35,360 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Employment
Considering the aging population along with more and more folks becoming ill, there’s an increased demand for pharmacy techs.
These professionals can work in pharmacies, hospitals, facilities for assisted living, and more.
Some of the employers have 24/7 working hours, and this means working night and weekend shifts is very common.
Some of the job skills you will need in this industry include:
- Organizational skills
- Ability to listen
- Math
- Customer service skills
- Giving flu shots
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State