How to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana | edX

How to become a pharmacy technician in LouisianaTo become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana you must complete a training program and gain practical experience. Explore requirements in our guide so you can assist pharmacists in providing patient care.Browse online pharmacy programs and coursesIf you enjoy working in healthcare and call Louisiana home, a career as a pharmacy technician could be a good fit. This path offers opportunities for growth while equipping you with the skills to make a positive impact in your community.Learn about the duties of a pharmacy technician and discover the steps you need to take to become one in Louisiana.What does a pharmacy technician in Louisiana do?As a pharmacy technician, you'll assist qualified Louisiana board-certified pharmacists. You could work in a retail pharmacy, hospital, or healthcare clinic.Your tasks might include:Packing, mixing, labeling, and dispensing medications to clientsOverseeing insurance claims and inventory managementInteracting with customers and answering their questionsStrong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills are key to thriving in this role.Steps to become a pharmacy technician in LouisianaThe Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LABP) has a two-tiered career process:Pharmacy technician candidate, which qualifies you to train for the jobPharmacy technician certificate, which shows you completed training and passed a certification examPharmacy technician candidateTo qualify as a pharmacy technician candidate, you must submit an application through LABP's online portal and meet one of the following eligibility requirements:Option A:Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalentEnrollment in a nationally-accredited and LABP board-approved training programOption B:Be at least 16 years oldEnrollment in a Louisiana Department of Education Jump Start program, with pharmacy technician as a careerOption C:Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma and equivalentProvide verification from a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist (who isn't on probation with the Board) that they will be providing you with technician training at a pharmacy that isn't on probation with the Board — this can be done by submitting Form 034, Pharmacist's Certification of Training Intention for Pharmacy Technician Candidate Applicant, along with your application.All options require you to submit to a criminal background check through the Louisiana State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Additionally, in order to apply to be a pharmacy technician candidate, you'll also need to submit with your application the following:Proof of identity (such as a passport, a birth certificate, or naturalization papers)Social Security cardPhoto (head and shoulders only, like a passport photo)Electronic business statement (a signed statement, written or typed, attesting that it is the applicant's wish to conduct electronic business with the LABP)Form 33 and credentials (only required for applicants that have held a professional credential issued by another jurisdiction before)Prior actions (if the applicant provided an affirmative response to any of the "prior actions" questions on the application, then they'll also need to provide a letter of explanation and certified copies of documents from relevant court or government agencies)Pharmacy technician certificateOnce you're an approved pharmacy technician candidate, you have two years to train as a pharmacy technician as a means of earning your certificate.You can do this in one of two ways:Option 1: Immediate certification and trainingRequirements for this include:Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Examination for Certification as a Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT), administered by the National Healthcareer AssociationWorking for 600 hours under the supervision of a Louisiana-licensed pharmacistOption 2: Board-certified trainingRequirements for this include:Education through the LABP board-approved programPassing either the PTCE or ExCPTOnce you've completed one of these two options, you can then apply for your Pharmacy Technician Certificate through the LABP's online portal.Get started on edXOnce you're certified as a pharmacy technician in Louisiana, earning an online master's degree in healthcare from an edX program can open extra opportunities. An advanced degree helps prepare you as a community, clinical, institutional, or consultant pharmacist.Stand out in your fieldUse the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.Learn at your own paceOn your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.Earn a valuable credentialShowcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.Explore all online pharmacy programs and coursesFrequently asked questionsIs a degree required to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana?To become a pharmacy technician candidate, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be 18 years old. Another option is enrollment in the Louisiana Department of Education Jump Start program while in high school.You don't need a college degree, but you do need to build work experience as a pharmacy technician trainee, pass a certification test, and earn your certificate through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.How much does a pharmacy technician in Louisiana make a year?According to O*NET, pharmacy technicians in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of $37,670 as of May 2023. Pharmacy technicians across the United States, however, earn a slightly higher median annual salary of $40,300 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana?It takes at least two years of on-the-job work experience as a pharmacy technician trainee, as well as the passing of a national certification exam, to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana.Your first step is to apply to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician candidate.