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If you think you have got what it takes to become a pharmacy technician in Montana, you should also know the requirements.
Take a look at the article below where you can read more about getting licensed in this state.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements in Montana
Some of the job duties you will have include sorting and organizing medication, as well as other administrative assignments.
You may even have to take on some tasks that pharmacists used to do.
For that, you need to enroll in a training program to develop your skills.
Training should be completed in a Board-approved facility which will later allow you to get licensed.
To enroll in a training program, you must be 18 years old at the least, and also have a high-school diploma.
In this state, you must train for 1.5 years before you can apply for licensing.
During the program, you will have to attend both theory classes but also lab practice.
The schools in Montana offer pharmacy technician training programs:
- Missoula College at the University of Montana: The schools provide a program that lasts 2 semesters as well as an internship.
- This will help you become accustomed to your future job duties,
- Miles Community College: This school provides a Certificate of Applied Science and features 33 credits.
- Penn Foster Career School: This online-only school provides training that prepares you for the licensing exam.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Flathead Valley Community College | 777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, Montana 59901 |
| Great Falls College | 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana 59405 |
| The University of Montana | 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812 |
The program you choose depends on how long you are planning to study.
The higher education options last for 2 years and provide more job opportunities.
You can also get a diploma in about 9 months of training.
How to Get Licensed in Montana
In order to get licensed, you have to send an application to the Board.
You will also have to register with the Montana Board of Pharmacy.
The licenses in this state expire every year, and you will have to renew it before that date.
You will also need to have a national certification if you want to get your state license renewed.
To get national certification, you must register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
After that, you need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam which costs $129.
This license expires after 2 years, and before you can renew it, you need to take a number of extra education hours.
Salaries for Pharmacy Technicians in Montana
The Projections Managing Partnership reported an expected growth of 15.8% by 2026.
Your salary will also depend on your location and experience, with larger cities providing higher pay.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Billings | $33,633 |
| Missoula | $29,026 |
| Great Falls | $30,448 |
| Bozeman | $29,026 |
| Butte | $29,026 |
| Helena | $29,552 |
| Kalispell | $31,168 |
| Havre | $29,921 |
| Anaconda | $29,026 |
| Miles City | $33,106 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 230 | $44,190 | $21.25 | $50,240 | $36,430 |
| Great Falls, MT | 130 | $42,550 | $20.46 | $52,820 | $35,120 |
| Missoula, MT | 210 | $42,420 | $20.39 | $49,020 | $36,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where Can You Get Hired in Montana
Areas like Billings provide more job openings compared to rural areas.
However, you will be able to get hired anywhere in a hospital, pharmacy, or other medical facilities.
Remember that different facilities will have different operating hours, and this will also influence how much money you’ll earn.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician Schools by State