Pharmacy technicians in Alabama play an important role in the healthcare industry.
You can look forward to interacting with patients, measuring prescriptions, and working under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The steps to becoming a pharmacy technician are easier than you might think – and you can get started right away.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Alabama
In Alabama, you will need to obtain a license, which shows that you are registered with the Board of Pharmacy.
You will work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist – and that pharmacist is responsible for making sure that you receive all of the training that you need.
You must be at least 17 years old, but you do not need to have a high school diploma or GED.
Now, many employers will also require that you are certified.
In order to receive certification, you will need to take an approved pharmacy technician training program.
Upon completing that, you can sit for the national certification exam (PTCB).
Once you’ve passed your exam, you can be identified as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, which also leads to a higher rate of pay and more job opportunities.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Alabama
All sorts of schools are out there so that you can get a certificate or an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology.
Take time to explore what each school has to offer in terms of how the classes are offered and how they can help you develop skills for your future.
Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College offers a 50-Hour program to prepare you for the PTCB exam.
You’ll learn about medical terminology, pharmacy calculations, interpreting prescriptions, and more.
Upon completion of the program, you are also eligible to participate in an 80-hour clinical externship with a local pharmacy.
The classes can be taken online where you can self-guide yourself – and tuition is $1299.
The other option is traditional in-person classes on the campus, where the tuition is $999 and includes both textbooks and the externship.
Samford University
Samford University offers an 8-week training program to ensure you’re ready to sit for the PTCB exam and become certified as a pharmacy technician.
There are both web-based and face-to-face courses for you to choose from.
The cost of the program is $899, which includes textbooks.
Additionally, Samford also offers an undergraduate prepharmacy curriculum in the event that you decide you want to work toward a Doctor of Pharmacy as you work as a pharmacy technician in the interim.
Coastal Alabama Community College
Coastal Alabama Community College offers a program on their Fairhope campus.
The program includes 50 classroom hours and 80 clinical externship hours.
The classes are offered twice a week, in the evenings.
The program is $1399 and includes textbooks.
It is a non-credit program but will provide students with the skills they need to work in a pharmacy setting and be able to pass the PTCB certification exam.
Jefferson State University
Jefferson State University offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Prep.
During these courses, you’ll learn about checking inventories, ordering supplies, and more.
The course is a total of 60 hours and will provide you with the prep needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam.
The course fee is $899 and there is another $150 in textbook fees.
The certification exam is separate from the cost of the program.
Fortis College
Located in Mobile, Fortis College offers a Pharmacy Technology program Throughout the program, you’ll learn about labeling
supplies, issuing medications, and understanding the legal responsibilities of a pharmacy.
There are actually multiple Fortis College campuses across Alabama that you can attend for your training – Dothan, Mobile, and Montgomery.
The program takes approximately one year to complete (36 instructional weeks).
The cost of the program is around $14,000 – though many students qualify for financial aid.
Salary
The salary for a pharmacy technician is relatively high when you consider that no formal education is needed.
Salary.com estimates that a pharmacy technician working in Montgomery, Alabama will earn a salary of $33,400 per year.
Your salary will depend on education, experience, and added skills.
Even the city and employer you work for can impact your earnings.
Those in the 90th percentile can expect to earn a higher salary of around $40,800 in Alabama.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Alabama
Top 5 Schools in Alabama
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Jefferson State University | 4600 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242 |
| Fortis College | 3736 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109 |
| Coastal Alabama Community College | 1900 US-31, Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
| Samford University | 800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229 |
| Calhoun Community College | 306-2500 6250 Hwy. 31 North Tanner, AL, 35671 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Alabama
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $35,299 |
| Montgomery | $33,400 |
| Mobile | $34,500 |
| Huntsville | $35,300 |
| Tuscaloosa | $34,900 |
| Hoover | $34,300 |
| Dothan | $32,900 |
| Decatur | $34,200 |
| Auburn | $33,600 |
| Gadsden | $35,000 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 200 | $34,570 | $16.62 | $43,820 | $27,040 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 280 | $37,110 | $17.84 | $47,210 | $30,120 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 2,460 | $37,020 | $17.8 | $46,420 | $29,060 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 310 | $37,730 | $18.14 | $45,780 | $29,890 |
| Decatur, AL | 230 | $37,470 | $18.01 | $46,930 | $28,420 |
| Dothan, AL | 260 | $35,970 | $17.29 | $45,220 | $28,340 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 260 | $35,380 | $17.01 | $45,330 | $28,010 |
| Gadsden, AL | 180 | $35,060 | $16.85 | $45,020 | $27,360 |
| Huntsville, AL | 870 | $39,050 | $18.77 | $49,290 | $30,340 |
| Mobile, AL | 540 | $37,480 | $18.02 | $47,330 | $29,430 |
| Montgomery, AL | 710 | $38,900 | $18.7 | $48,670 | $30,960 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 420 | $37,430 | $18 | $47,210 | $28,770 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the most opportunities for pharmacy technicians in Alabama?
It’s important to look at opportunities from various employers before you accept a position as a pharmacy technician.
Consider looking in some of the more heavily populated areas of Alabama including Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville.
What kind of growth is there for pharmacy technicians?
Pharmacy techs are needed all over Alabama.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the growth is approximately 2% over the next 10 years.
While that isn’t as fast as other industries, it does show that they will still be needed.
How often does a certification need to be renewed?
A national certification has to be renewed every two years.
Additionally, the state license needs to be renewed every two years, between October 1 and December 31 of the year it is expiring.
