Pharmacy Technician

Certificate Program

This comprehensive 50-hour online hybrid program will prepare you to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy settings, and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s PTCB exam. Through asynchronous online curriculum, online Zoom lectures in live real time, and five hands-on labs sessions that are held on campus, you will learn dosage calculations, drug classifications, top 200 drugs, IV flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control, and billing and reimbursement.

Upon completion of this program, students will be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam. Once you’ve earned our certificate of completion, this certificate qualifies you to take the national exams. This exam is separate from our program, and costs an estimated $140.

This program is presented in partnership with a third-party provider and is not taught by California State University, Long Beach faculty. The course is not offered for academic credit and is not degree-eligible. 

  • Individuals interested in working in the healthcare system
  • Medical assistants
  • Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)
  • Medical terminology specific to the pharmacy
  • Reading and interpreting prescriptions and defining drugs by generic and brand names
  • Dosage calculations
  • IV flow rates
  • Drug compounding
  • Dose conversions
  • Dispensing of prescriptions
  • Inventory control
  • Billing and reimbursement
  • Complete all sections and assignments

Schedule

All lecture dates are held online through Zoom. See the Full Schedule link in the registration box for a complete program breakdown of dates and times.

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Click here for more information about Accreditation and State Authorization.

"The program was very helpful in improving my math skills, and I enjoyed the hands-on practice that we did, drawing medication into a syringe. The instructor was kind and understanding when we had trouble grasping the concepts of some of the math, so we were able to practice in-class often as well. I miss the program already because I had a lot of fun learning!"

Jennifer Vong Pharmacy Technician