25 Best Pharmacy Technician Certification Online
March 31, 2025
If you’re looking to jump out of your current job and into a different role, you’d do well to consider becoming a pharmacy technician. Job openings for pharmacy technicians are expected to grow 7% between 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians is $40,300. That’s around $20 per hour. If that’s a raise from your current wage, you might be in the market for online pharmacy technician certification programs. Online pharmacy tech programs can provide you with the flexibility you need to keep your current job, stay in your current living situation, and still get qualified to take a step up in your career.
How Should I Choose an Online Pharmacy Technician Certification Program?
Although certification requirements will vary by state, you’ll first want to make sure that the online pharmacy technician certification program you choose is PTCB-recognized. PTCB, or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, is the first and most trusted pharmacy technician credentialing organization in the United States. Additionally, in 1995, PTCB created the first unified standard for delivering medication safely to patients—and for delivering care to those patients. All programs on our list are PTCB-recognized.
From there, you’ll want to compare cost, program attributes, PTCB exam pass rates, and internship requirements. We’ve considered all those factors to curate the top 25 online pharmacy technician certification programs.
Best Pharmacy Technician Certification Online
1) Your Local Community College
My best advice is to search for “pharmacy technician online programs” through your local community colleges. Those programs are most likely guaranteed to meet the criteria for the PTCB exam because they’re coming from accredited community colleges (though you should ensure that this is true by contacting your community college). Additionally, tuition is typically more affordable than some of the offerings on this list.
Here’s a sampling:
- Community College of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania offers an online pharmacy technician program for a total of $149.00.
- Community College of Philadelphia offers a 100% online program with an optional externship for $1,299.
2) RxTechExam
This course is 100% online and self-paced. You can finish the program in just a few weeks. This website also offers a version of the PTCB exam that you can take after finishing the course. There are two course options: 123CPhT and 123CPhT+, a more in-depth offering. People who completed the RxTechExam 123CPhT+ course have a 90% pass rate for the PTCB exam.
Cost:
- 123CPhT: $299
- 123CPhT+: $399
3) Pharmacy Tech Scholar
You can finish this PTCB-recognized course in as few as three weeks, and you have up to six months to complete it. If you need more time, you can renew at a discounted fee. Once you pass the course, you’ll be qualified to take the PTCB exam.
Cost: $249
4) 1st Ever Learning Training Center
This PTCB-approved course is 100% online. You study independently, but you also have access to guidance from experienced instructors: an instructor experienced in the pharmacy industry leads and monitors the courses. Although lectures are pre-recorded, you’ll still get feedback and observations from the instructor.
Cost: $99
5) Pharmacy Technician Academy
This self-paced, 100% online program doesn’t require an in-person externship. Moreover, you can complete the program in 7 months or fewer. Every instructor in the course holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and many of them have other advanced degrees and experience. Lessons are “bite-sized,” so you can learn as you continue to work. Lessons can be accessed from any device.
Cost: $349.99
6) American National University
ANU offers two different online pharmacy tech programs that will set you up to become a pharmacy technician. The PTCB exam pass rate for both the degree and diploma programs is 48.8%.
- Pharmacy Technician Associate Degree
- You will study entirely online (with the exception of externships, see below). Ultimately, you will earn an associate degree upon completion of the program.
- This hands-on program will train you for the PTCB Compound Sterile Product Technician Certification to support pharmacies in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.
- You will also be required to complete two, 120-hour externships (total of 240 hours) in your local area.
- Credits: 96.
- Cost: $36,672.
- Pharmacy Technician Diploma
- This program is less intensive than the associate degree program, but covers the same topics.
- The diploma program also requires an externship placement in a pharmacy setting, though the requirements aren’t listed as they are for the degree program above.
- Credits: 48.
- Cost: $18,336.
7) Ashworth College
Firstly, this 100% online program is self-paced. It’s designed by pharmacy professionals, and will give you the skills you need to prepare for your PTCB exam. You’ll also be sponsored to complete one of two certification exams, either:
- The NHA ExCPT Pharmacy Technician certification exam, or
- the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.
Finally, you’ll complete an externship with one of Ashworth’s partners, Walgreens or CVS.
Note: Ashworth’s curriculum does not meet requirements in: Alabama, Washington, D.C., Illinois, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Cost: $1,659
8) Bryan University
This program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and recognized by the PTCB. Through Bryan’s externship program, you will complete 130 hours of training and earn 6 college credits while getting real-world experience working at your local CVS or Walgreens. The program also prepares you to take the PTCE and is certified for all 50 states. Additionally, discounted tuition is available for military veterans and active duty personnel.
Cost: Estimated $14,925, including registration fee
9) Miller-Motte
Miller-Motte’s program helps you earn your Associate of Science in Pharmacy Technician degree, and you can complete the program in as few as 18 months and 92 credit hours.
Cost: Varies
10) Career Step
Get 12 months of full access to this PTCB-recognized and ASHP/ACPE-accredited online pharmacy tech program. Your learning is self-guided, but you’ll still have access to support from dedicated trainers, tutors, and career advisors.
Cost: $3,899
11) CPhT Certification Made Easy
This program is a self-paced, 100% online course. As such, it will take you 6 months or fewer to complete. Students are expected to complete the course with an 80% or higher. You’ll also be given one free official PTCB practice exam and one free sponsorship for taking the PTCB exam.
Cost: $995
12) Ed2Go
This online pharmacy tech program is designed to be completed in 12 months or fewer. The program will prepare you to successfully sit for the PTCB exam, and it includes a voucher that will cover the fee for the exam. You’ll also have the option to complete a hands-on, 130-hour clinical experience. Finally, the program is instructor-led and offered in partnership with your preferred school, most likely your local community college.
Note: Ed2Go’s curriculum does not meet state requirements in: North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Verify that it meets your state’s requirements before beginning.
Cost: $2,995
13) Pharmacy Technicians University
Pharmacy Technicians University (PTU) offers four program options, specifically for organizations and pharmacies. As such, these programs are meant to be purchased by an institution for use among their current or future employees. The options are:
- PTU Knowledge Assessment
- PTU 101
- PTU National Standards: Entry Level
- PTU National Standards: Advanced Level
If you’re a pharmacy or organization seeking further training for your employees, PTU might be the perfect fit.
Cost: Varies
14) Intelvio
This self-paced course prepares you to earn your PTCB or NHA Certification. You can complete the material in as few as 4 weeks or as long as 6 months. You’ll also have 24/7 access to the material, which is prepared by industry experts.
However, Intelvio doesn’t meet the requirements for a fair number of states. Verify that it meets your state’s requirements here.
Cost: $1,295
15) Michigan Pharmacists
Pharmacy Tech Prep Online enables employers to hire unlicensed technicians and prepare them to pass the PTCB exam for licensure in Michigan. Accordingly, the program provides printed and online educational materials and equips students with on-the-job training.
Cost: $250
16) Molly University
While this program is delivered remotely, all of the course offerings are conducted “live” via Zoom. Students are required to attend courses at the same date and time as listed in the schedule. Additionally, Molloy’s 80-hour program has been operating since 2013. It includes an optional, highly recommended, in-person externship component. The program will prepare you to take the PTCB exam.
Cost: $2,000 for base programming + $500 for optional externship = $2,500 for complete program. A workforce development scholarship is available for Long Island residents.
17) Nasium Training
For starters, this 100% online pharmacy tech program takes 24 weeks to complete. Learners will be prepared to take the ExCPT and PTCB exams. Moreover, instructors are available for support through chat, email, and office hours, all online.
Cost: Varies
18) Pacific Medical Training
This course is available in person and online. The syllabus for this evidence-based program is available online for you to assess the curriculum ahead of time. However, this program is only available in some states; verify availability where you live before signing up.
Cost: $400
19) Penn Foster
This self-paced, ASHP-and-ACPE-accredited program is based on the national standard for pharmacy technician training programs. Many states and employers are now requiring students to have completed an ASHP-accredited program as a condition for employment, and Penn Foster meets that criteria. Lastly, students achieved a 70% pass rate on the PTCB exam in 2024, which matches the national average.
Cost: $1,449
20) ASHP PharmTech Ready
ASHP’s program is designed for institutional use. With more than 160 hours of entry-level and advanced content that comes directly from the ASHP, you will cover more than 120 topics in more than 600 educational components. This technician training also includes access to ASHP membership, which provides members with continuing education, tools, and resources. Finally, this program is “aligned” with PTAC accreditation requirements and the ASHP/ACPE model curriculum.
Cost: Varies
21) Rasmussen University
You can complete Rasmussen’s program in as few as 9 months, entirely online. You’ll learn through live, interactive, online sessions conducted by Rasmussen faculty in a cohort of peers. Additionally, you’ll participate in real-world projects and virtual labs. You’ll also have access to and support from admissions and personal advisors, faculty, library resources and staff, tutors, 24/7 tech support, and career services. The program is recognized by the PTCB and Rasmussen itself is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is an official accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Cost: $14,366
22) Stepful
This 4-month online program prepares you to sit for the NHA CPhT certification exam. The courses are 100% online, and are followed by an in-person externship with a local pharmacy. Moreover, the course provides job interview prep, resume services, and 1:1 support from enrollment to employment. Graduates have a 75% NHA Certification pass rate, which is 12 points above the national average.
Cost: Varies
23) Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M’s pharmacy technician program is 100% online and takes about 12 months to complete. It prepares you to sit for the PTCB exam. You’ll also complete an in-person externship with a leading pharmacy chain. There are no prerequisites for this course, but you do need to have a high school diploma and be at least 18 years old. The course is taught by a certified pharmacy technician and a doctor in pharmacy. The program price includes a voucher for the PTCB exam.
Cost: $3,390
24) The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
This 100%-online program is self-paced and requires 164 hours of study. You’ll also be learning with dedicated faculty who will support you through digital platforms. The course price includes an exam voucher for the certification exam of your choice (PTCE, ExCPT, or CSPT).
Cost: $1,800. Payment plans are available.
25) Wilkes Community College
Wilkes Community College offers an ASHP/ACPE-approved curriculum that will prepare you for the PTCE. The program trains you for careers in both retail and hospital/healthcare settings. Finally, there are two parts to this program. In Part 2, you’ll complete an externship in a national pharmacy chain to give you hands-on experience.
Cost: $360 total, $180 each for Part 1 and Part 2
Additional Resources
Looking for more resources on two-year degrees, technician programs, and trade schools? Check out the following:
