Iowa pharmacy technicians receive certificates, not licenses.
Therefore, before beginning any Iowa Pharmacy Technician training program, you must register as a trainee.
Out-of-state technicians working in Iowa-based pharmacies must also register as trainees.
Additionally, current and prospective pharmacy technicians must complete a formal, accredited, or employer-sponsored training program.
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Industry Information for Iowa Pharmacy Technician Training
Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 657 Chapter 3 states that you cannot enter the secure pharmacy area without your completed and accepted registration.
Moreover, you have 45 days to complete the application process, including sending any information requested by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
Missing this deadline means paying a new fee and submitting a new application.
Registration Prerequisites
You must already be 18, have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and have good mental and physical health.
Moreover, you will have to pass a thorough background check.
In addition, you must report ALL past convictions or disciplinary actions for any reason with your first application.
Submit copies of the original complaint and the final court order for each criminal conviction.
Additionally, please provide a written explanation regarding whether it directly relates to pharmacy practice.
To save time, pay a $25 fee and provide all the required information BEFORE applying for your trainee registration.
Then, wait for a determination before proceeding to classes and training.
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Salary
As of May 2021, Iowa’s 4170 Pharmacy Technicians earned an average salary of $35,660.
The nationwide average runs $37,300.
However, the five highest-paying states beat Iowa’s average by $9,370 to $14,330.
Fortunately, since Iowa’s academic standards are so rigorous, transferring to any of those states after completion would allow you to pay off student debt faster.
Iowa Pharmacy Technician Training Schools
Denison Job Corps Center
Attending Denison, you pay nothing. Job Corps students receive all books and materials, safety and job-specific equipment, and clothing for free.
In addition, participants receive a $100 personal clothing allowance in the first 90 days and another $125 allowance 90 days from
graduation.
Denison provides all daily meals, an evening snack, and brunch and dinner on weekends.
Moreover, students receive free medical, dental, optometry, and mental health services.
Students receive a $45 stipend every two weeks through day 182 and live in dorms with up to two roommates.
The program design fulfills the requirements of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
The UIHC Pharmacy Technician Training Program lasts 12 weeks, 420 clock hours, in a hybrid format.
The schedule includes 130 hours of direct online instruction, 66 hours of in-person simulation, and 224 hours of experiential learning.
Tuition costs $1500 plus $100 to hold your seat and $90 for parking.
The first five students to apply and receive acceptance receive a full tuition waiver.
Tuition includes uniforms, course materials, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy trainee registration fee, certified technician registration fee, and a single-attempt Pharmacy Technician Certification Board certification exam.
Hawkeye Community College
The Pharmacy Technician Short-Term Training program includes four weekly online and 112 classroom hours.
The $2,799 cost covers a textbook, a practice exam, and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy certification exam.
In addition, students may receive financial help through their employer from the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training (260E) program, the Iowa Jobs Training Program (260F), or the Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Program.
Various sponsoring agencies also provide financial assistance.
Iowa Western Community College
The program includes a 76-hour externship.
Sixty hours will occur in a retail pharmacy and 16 in an acute care setting or hospital pharmacy.
The program costs $1695, including tuition, books, course materials, the Technician Trainee Registration fee, a complete background check, a drug screen, and the PTCB national exam.
In addition, you pay a $150 non-refundable processing fee.
You may qualify for tuition assistance through Education 2 Employment, the Workforce Innovation, Opportunity Act, Veteran Employment Services, or the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Kirkwood Community College
Kirkwood’s Pharmacy Technician program requires 31.5 credit hours of coursework over two terms.
In-state cost of $7,247 include $850 for books, $445 in fees, and $5952 for tuition.
Prospective students must attend a program conference before admission.
In addition, students may qualify for the Kibbie grant, Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship, and the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant.
Northeast Iowa Community College
The Pharmacy Technician program costs $1395, excluding the cost of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB) exam.
In addition, northeast ICC students may qualify for the Kibbie grant, Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship, and the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant.
Contact Krista Uptagrafft (844)-642-2338, ext. 1176, or Email: uptagrafftk@nicc.edu for tuition assistance.
Northwest Iowa Community College
Northwest’s program consists of 32 credit hours of coursework taken over two semesters and costs $8,492 in-state or $8,812 for non-residents.
Spring tuition includes a graduation fee.
First, read the eligibility requirements for every scholarship and apply for everything, even if you do not meet all the criteria.
Then, consult Financial Aid (712)-324-5061 to ensure you access all funding.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Iowa
Top 7 Schools in Iowa
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Denison Job Corps Center | 10 Opportunity Dr, Denison, IA 51442 |
| University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics | 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242 |
| Hawkeye Community College | 1501 E Orange Rd, Waterloo, IA 50701 |
| Iowa Western Community College | 2700 College Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 |
| Kirkwood Community College | 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | 8342 NICC Dr, Peosta, IA 52068 |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | 603 W Park St, Sheldon, IA 51201 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Iowa
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Iowa
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $36,000 |
| Cedar Rapids | $35,400 |
| Davenport | $35,500 |
| Sioux City | $31,700 |
| Waterloo | $33,800 |
| Iowa City | $35,100 |
| Council Bluffs | $35,200 |
| Dubuque | $35,100 |
| Ames | $35,700 |
| West Des Moines | $36,000 |
Regional Salary in Iowa
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 120 | $39,240 | $18.87 | $48,830 | $24,500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 340 | $40,870 | $19.65 | $48,470 | $33,050 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 520 | $39,640 | $19.06 | $47,950 | $31,250 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,030 | $43,220 | $20.78 | $52,980 | $36,560 |
| Dubuque, IA | 230 | $40,010 | $19.24 | $47,980 | $33,370 |
| Iowa City, IA | 450 | $42,220 | $20.3 | $56,490 | $34,160 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 230 | $40,400 | $19.43 | $47,790 | $33,460 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 280 | $39,730 | $19.1 | $47,330 | $32,100 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there programs not listed?
The seven listed represent the lowest price or provide significant financial aid.
Can I attend Iowa Pharmacy Technician programs for free?
Fortunately, yes. Denison Job Corps costs nothing for Iowa residents.
In addition, Hawkeye, Iowa Western, Kirkwood, and Northeast Iowa Community Colleges have options to cover full tuition.
Which program requires living with two roommates?
Job Corps attendees live in dorms.
Whose program costs the most?
Northwest Iowa Community College costs $8,492.
