Pharmacy Technology Program Information and Resources

Welcome to the Pharmacy Technology Program 

The Pharmacy Technology Program prepares students for entry-level roles in a variety of pharmacy practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, specialty pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, infusion pharmacies, and other healthcare environments. Students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to assist licensed pharmacists with medication preparation and distribution, prescription processing, inventory management, pharmacy operations, and patient care activities while complying with state and federal regulations.

The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experience to prepare graduates for employment in the pharmacy profession. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for a California Pharmacy Technician license from California State Board of Pharmacy,  and may sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) to earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential.

Program Overview

  • Units: 18.5
  • Duration: Two semesters
  • Format: Blended (online asynchronous coursework, OnlineLIVE instruction, and in-person laboratory sessions on campus)
  • Courses: Eight courses, including a clinical experience in a pharmacy setting

Students learn through classroom instruction, simulation lab, and supervised clinical training.

Coursework

  • PHRMTEC-101 – Introduction to Pharmacy Technology (3 units: 54 hours)
  • PHRMTEC-102 – Pharmacy Calculations (3 units: 54 hours)
  • PHRMTEC-103 – Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 units: 54 hours )
  • PHRMTEC-104 – Community Pharmacy Operations (2.5 units:45 hours )
  • PHRMTEC-104L – Community Pharmacy Lab (1 unit: 54 hours lab)
  • PHRMTEC-106 – Institutional Pharmacy Practice (2 units: 36 hours )
  • PHRMTEC-106L – Institutional Pharmacy and Sterile Compounding Lab (1 unit: 54 hours lab)
  • PHRMTEC-108 – Pharmacy Clinical Experience I (3 units:130 hours Experiential: 32 hours lab ) -Supervised clinical experience completed in a pharmacy practice setting, with additional scheduled classroom/lab instruction.

Total: 18.5 units (243 hours of didactic instruction, 140 hours of laboratory/seminar instruction, and 130 hours of supervised clinical experiential training, for a total of 513 hours).

Please visit Course Descriptions for more details.)

Check the COC Schedule for specific dates and times. 

Class Sequence

The Pharmacy Technology Program is a two semester program. Students accepted into the program begin in the Fall semester and complete the program at the end of the Spring semester.

Eligibility Requirements for Program Admission

    • Must be at least 18 years old 
    • High School Diploma or Equivalent
    • Students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to participate in clinical experience and to meet employment and licensure requirements.
    • Complete the Program Application

Important: Please see the Clinical Experience Requirements section below for additional requirements related to clinical placement, health clearances, background checks, and other program requirements. Students must be able to meet all clinical placement requirements established by the program and affiliated clinical partners. Inability to meet clinical placement requirements may prevent completion of the program.

Steps to Enroll

  1. Review the Pharmacy Technology program website and sign up for an information session  to learn about program information, eligibility, course expectations, and licensing requirements.
  2. Submit an application by completing the steps listed. Applications must be submitted through the Pharmacy Technology Program website during the designated application period.
  3. Applicants selected for admission will be invited to attend a program orientation. Orientation provides detailed information regarding program requirements, enrollment procedures, clinical placement requirements, program policies, student support services, important deadlines, and other information necessary for successful participation in the program.
  4. Register for classes through MyCanyons by the designated deadline provided by the program.

How Applicants Are Selected

The Pharmacy Technology Program admits one cohort each academic year, beginning in the Fall semester and continuing through the Spring semester. Admission is based on a first-come, first-served process for applicants who meet all program requirements.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Applicants must meet all admission requirements as outlined on the How to Apply page.

Application Review and Selection

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Qualified applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available seats.

Incomplete Applications

Applications missing required documents or information will not be considered until all requirements have been submitted.

Application Closure

Once all available seats have been filled, the application period closes. The program does not maintain a waitlist. Applicants who are not admitted must reapply during the next application period.

Admission Notification and Orientation

Accepted applicants will be notified through their College of the Canyons student email within four weeks. Attendance at the mandatory program orientation is required to maintain their place in the program.

Clinical Experience Requirements

Students accepted into the Pharmacy Technology Program will be required to complete clinical placement requirements before participating in the clinical experience course. These requirements are established by the program and affiliated clinical partners and must be completed by specified deadlines.

Do not complete any of these requirements until instructed to do so by program officials. Detailed instructions, approved vendors, required documentation, and due dates will be provided after acceptance into the program.

Clinical placement requirements may include:

  • Background check
  • Drug screening
  • Physical examination
  • Immunizations or proof of immunity
  • Tuberculosis (TB) testing
  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification

Additional requirements may be required by individual clinical sites and may vary by location. Examples may include seasonal influenza vaccination, site-specific orientation, or other documentation required by the clinical facility.

Failure to complete all required clinical placement requirements by the established deadlines may delay or prevent clinical placement.

Outside Courses

The following courses are not required to begin the program, but must be completed prior to the clinical experience course in the second semester and must remain valid throughout the duration of the clinical experience course:

Certification, Licensure, and Employment

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technology Program may be eligible to apply for a California Pharmacy Technician license and pursue national certification. To learn more about licensing requirements, please visit the California State Board of Pharmacy. Information about national certification is available through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the National Healthcareer Association. Completion of the program does not guarantee state licensure, national certification, or employment. 

Employment requirements vary by employer and may include background checks, drug screening, immunization requirements, and other conditions of employment. Graduates are responsible for meeting all requirements established by licensing, certification, and regulatory agencies.

Student Outcomes

The program continuously evaluates student achievement and program effectiveness through assessment of student learning outcomes, completion rates, graduate employment, certification examination performance, employer feedback, and continuous quality improvement activities.

Accreditation and Recognition

Institutional Accreditation

College of the Canyons is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information, visit College of the Canyons Accreditation Webpage. 

Programmatic Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technology Program at College of the Canyons has been granted Candidate Status by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Candidate Status indicates that the program is actively pursuing accreditation and progressing toward meeting the ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards for Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Programs.

ASHP/ACPE Candidate Status Logo

The Pharmacy Technology Program at College of the Canyons is also recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Recognized Education/Training Program. This recognition indicates that the program meets PTCB requirements for recognized pharmacy technician education and training programs.

PTCB Recognized Education Training Program Logo

Technology Requirements

Students must have regular access to:

  • reliable internet,
  • computer/laptop,
  • webcam/microphone,
  • Canvas,
  • Microsoft Office or equivalent.

California Pharmacy Technician Licensure Requirements

To work as a pharmacy technician in California, graduates must obtain a pharmacy technician license from the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Applicants must meet the Board's eligibility requirements, which generally include:

  • A high school diploma, GED, or accepted equivalent.
  • Completion of a qualifying pharmacy technician education program or another Board-approved qualification pathway.
  • Submission of a completed license application and required supporting documents.
  • Completion of a criminal background check, including fingerprinting (Live Scan).
  • Submission of a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Self-Query report.
  • Payment of applicable licensing and processing fees.

Important: Criminal history or other eligibility issues may affect an applicant's ability to obtain a California Pharmacy Technician license. Completion of the Pharmacy Technology Program does not guarantee licensure. All licensing decisions are made by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Students will receive guidance on the licensing application process during the program. Licensing requirements and fees are subject to change. For current requirements and application instructions, visit the California State Board of Pharmacy – Pharmacy Technician License.

Student Policies and Support Services

Students are responsible for reviewing the Pharmacy Technology Program Handbook for important program policies and procedures, including:

  • Academic and non academic dismissal policies
  • Academic integrity expectations
  • Grievance and complaint procedures
  • Clinical and professional conduct requirements

Students requesting accommodations should contact the College of the Canyons Academic Accommodation Center (AAC).

Estimated Program Costs

Please refer to the Pharmacy Technology Program Estimated Costs for approximate tuition, fees, clinical requirements, licensure, and certification expenses. The costs listed are estimates intended for planning purposes. Actual expenses may vary and may be affected by changes in pricing charged by third-party vendors, clinical affiliates, licensing and certification agencies, healthcare providers, and other external organizations. Additional expenses may be incurred based on individual circumstances and clinical placement requirements.

Students are responsible for tuition, fees, textbooks, uniforms, clinical requirements, and other program related expenses. Refund policies are governed by College of the Canyons policies and procedures. Please refer to the College Catalog for current refund deadlines and information

Pharmacy Technology Program & Career Information

Need more help?

If you have questions about the course requirements or how to complete the documents, please contact the Program Director at PharmTech@canyons.edu 

For financial assistance and other support, please contact: