North Carolina has numerous job opportunities for those who work as pharmacy technicians.
If you want to start a new career in the field, take a look at the requirements you need to get licensed.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements for North Carolina
You will need to be 18 years old and have obtained a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
You also need to subject yourself to a background check.
While in this state there are no certificate requirements, only by having a national certification you will be able to get hired,
To do so, you need to attend a training program at a vocational college or a trade school.
The training program you enroll in must also be approved by the Board in North Carolina.
The schools that offer pharmacy technician programs in this state are:
- Durham Tech
- Divine Health Academy
- Penn Foster Career School
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801 |
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | 401 Medical Park Drive, Concord, North Carolina 28025-3959 |
Cape Fear Community College | 411 North Front Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401-3910 |
Central Piedmont Community College | 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 |
Davidson County Community College | 297 Davidson Community College Rd, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360-7385 |
Divine Health Academy | 5633 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212 |
Durham Technical Community College | 1637 Lawson Street, Durham, North Carolina 27703-5023 |
Fayetteville Technical Community College | 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303-0236 |
Forsyth Technical Community College | 2100 Silas Creek Pky, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27103-5197 |
Guilford Technical Community College | 601 High Point Rd., Jamestown, North Carolina 27282 |
Johnston Community College | 245 College Road, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577-2350 |
Vance-Granville Community College | 200 Community College Road, Henderson, North Carolina 27537 |
Wake Technical Community College | 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-5696 |
Wayne Community College | 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, North Carolina 27534-8002 |
You will also be required to register with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy.
For that to happen, you have to be hired by an accredited pharmacy.
You will also have to be supervised and trained by a licensed pharmacist.
To be able to get licensed, you need to apply for registration not later than 6 months after getting employed.
Some of the subjects you need to master include:
- Pharmacy laws and regulations
- Calculations
- Dispensing systems and requirements for labeling
- Handling and storage of medications
- Record-keeping and documentation
Although getting a diploma is easier as you can get one in less than a year, you should look into getting an associate’s degree.
This degree will offer significantly higher pay in the future.
How You Can Get Licensed in North Carolina
To get national certification, you need to send an application.
You also have to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.
After you pass it, you will need to renew the license once at 2 years.
You may also be required to attend some additional hours of class that will cover the job duty updates.
Average salaries in North Carolina
The money you will make in this state vary based on location and your education.
Additionally, you will also be earning less in an entry-level position.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the industry will see an increase of 12% from 2016 to 2026.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Charlotte | $34,402 |
Raleigh | $33,693 |
Greensboro | $33,562 |
Durham | $33,506 |
Winston-Salem | $33,644 |
Fayetteville | $32,225 |
Cary | $33,693 |
Wilmington | $32,032 |
High Point | $33,763 |
Greenville | $33,447 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asheville, NC | 750 | $40,290 | $19.37 | $49,690 | $31,130 |
Burlington, NC | 180 | $38,650 | $18.58 | $45,850 | $31,440 |
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,340 | $41,390 | $19.9 | $49,880 | $33,800 |
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,340 | $42,880 | $20.61 | $52,750 | $36,570 |
Fayetteville, NC | 570 | $40,930 | $19.68 | $52,520 | $31,200 |
Goldsboro, NC | 160 | $39,140 | $18.82 | $47,130 | $31,080 |
Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,260 | $39,880 | $19.17 | $47,720 | $33,420 |
Greenville, NC | 340 | $40,210 | $19.33 | $51,200 | $33,190 |
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 500 | $39,620 | $19.05 | $47,250 | $31,970 |
Jacksonville, NC | 190 | $39,040 | $18.77 | $46,220 | $30,960 |
New Bern, NC | 170 | $36,550 | $17.57 | $44,110 | $29,540 |
Raleigh, NC | 2,060 | $41,370 | $19.89 | $49,160 | $34,360 |
Rocky Mount, NC | 190 | $38,630 | $18.57 | $46,370 | $30,060 |
Wilmington, NC | 430 | $40,890 | $19.66 | $51,350 | $33,620 |
Winston-Salem, NC | 1,210 | $43,690 | $21.01 | $55,780 | $35,330 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Where Can You Find a Job in North Carolina
In this state, entry-level pharmacy technicians with a license can work in any medical facility.
These include nursing homes, hospitals, but also popular pharmacy chains like Walgreens.
You may have to work night shifts or on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sometimes, you may also be required to take on tasks that used to be done by pharmacists in the past.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Pharmacy Technician