The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy oversees all pharmacy technicians in the state.
Importantly, all pharmacy personnel must be qualified to assume compliance duties.
Consequently, the Pelican State requires pharmacy techs to complete 600 hours of hands-on experience in a Louisiana-based pharmacy within 18 months after registering as pharmacy technician candidates.
Page Navigation
- Gather Your Documents
- Still in High School?
- Pharmacy Technician Industry Information
- Mean Annual Salary
- ASHP-Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana
- Pharmacy Technician Salary in Louisiana
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which program provides the best service for military students?
- Whose Pharmacy Technician program costs the least?
- What time constraints do pharmacy technicians in Louisiana have to meet?
- Why should you gather your documents before you apply for candidacy?
- Explain the TOPS Tech Early Start Award.
- Why become a Louisiana pharmacy technician?
Gather Your Documents
While it seems trivial, obtaining transcripts, diplomas, birth certificates, and other documents will waste your study and work time.
Although it feels long, 18 months will pass in a blur.
In addition, the costs of acquiring necessary documents eat into your tuition and daily expenses funds.
Consequently, as early as possible, request your Louisiana birth certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health, State Registrar, and Vital Records, or contact your birth state’s Department of Health and Vital Records registrar if born elsewhere.
If you lost yours, obtain a copy of your transcript and a replacement diploma.
Additionally, request a new social security card if you do not have one.
Locate your marriage license and divorce papers, if applicable, for proof of name changes.
Obtain these from the Clerk of Courts in the county where you got married or divorced.
Finally, ask for fee waivers and reductions or request payment assistance.
Still in High School?
The TOPS Tech Early Start Award pays eligible Louisiana juniors and seniors in public schools $600 per year towards concurrent enrollment in a technical college, college, or university.
In addition, students may enroll in up to six credits per semester of approved vocational courses, allowing students to significantly reduce the cost of obtaining a professional certificate or degree.
Pharmacy Technician Industry Information
Pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians.
Techs assist the pharmacist by measuring, packaging, labeling, and recording patients’ prescribed medications.
Louisiana uses three Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exams.
New pharmacy technicians take the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)exam.
In addition, pharmacy technician training programs in Louisiana must meet the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) accreditation standards.
Mean Annual Salary
Louisiana pharmacy technicians earn a mean annual salary of $34,840.
However, the top five highest paying states beat Louisiana’s average by $10,190 to $15,150 per year.
Due to the state’s rigorous standards, its pharmacy technician programs qualify you for certification in California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, or the District of Columbia.
ASHP-Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana
Northshore Technical Community College
The Certificate of Technical Studies in Pharmacy Technician program takes nine to 12 months.
Their Associate of General Studies adds 13 months.
In-state student tuition costs approximately $231.96 per credit, while out-of-state students should expect to pay roughly $271.96. Additional test and technology fees apply.
Enroll at these campuses:
- Florida Parishes (Greensburg) 7067 Hwy 10 (PO Box 1300), Greensburg, LA 70441
- Hammond Area (Hammond) 111 Pride Drive, Hammond, LA 70401
- Sullivan (Bogalusa) 1710 Sullivan Drive, Bogalusa, LA 70427
Phone: 985-545-1500, Toll-Free: 1-833-545-1500
Delgado Community College
The Entry-Level Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Technical Competency (CTC) program consists of 18 credit hours taken in two semesters, taking about ten months to complete.
Tuition and fees run around $169.96 per credit.
Therefore, the average DCC tuition and fees per semester run approximately $2,039.52 per semester, $1,500 cheaper than public universities.
615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 671-5000 or 1-855-215-8247
Louisiana State University Eunice
This 100 percent online program includes an interactive lab and virtual externship.
The $2,495.00 tuition includes a full-price voucher for the PTCB exam.
The course requires 12 months to complete.
Call 951.387.4225 to reach Instructors Melissa Dunworth and Betty Stahl
Bossier Parish Community College
The Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technician program comprises 62 credit hours and 400 hours of hands
-on clinical practice.
In addition, the school’s proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base helped place BPCC on the Military-Friendly Schools list for six years.
Tuition and fees run $138.96 per credit hour, for a total approximate cost of $8,615.52. Call (318) 678-6000 or visit us at 6220 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA, 71111.
Baton Rouge Community College
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Technical Studies program provides 32 semester credit hours of instruction.
Call the Pharmacy Technician office: at (225) 421-3801 or the Division of Nursing and Allied Health Advisor: at (225)-216-8879.
Tuition and fees run around $178.89 per semester or about $5,724.48.
Visit the campus at 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. 70806.
Remington College
Remington offers its program online and at the Lafayette and Shreveport campuses.
Call (337) 981-4010 for the Lafayette Campus, (318) 671-4000 for Shreveport, or 1- (800) 208-1950 for online admission.
The pharmacy technician/assistant diploma program comprises 64 quarter credits, takes 53 weeks to complete, and costs approximately $29,589.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana – Summary Table
Top 6 Schools in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Northshore Technical Community College | 1710 Sullivan Dr, Bogalusa, LA 70427 |
| Delgado Community College | 615 City Park Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Louisiana State University Eunice | 2048 Johnson Hwy, Eunice, LA 70535 |
| Bossier Parish Community College | 6220 E Texas St, Bossier City, LA 71111 |
| Baton Rouge Community College | 201 Community College Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 |
| Remington College | 9441 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75243 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Louisiana
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Louisiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | $36,900 |
| Baton Rouge | $34,700 |
| Shreveport | $34,300 |
| Lafayette | $34,200 |
| Lake Charles | $33,800 |
| Kenner | $36,800 |
| Bossier City | $34,300 |
| Monroe | $34,100 |
| Alexandria | $33,000 |
| New Iberia | $34,000 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 250 | $39,350 | $18.92 | $50,670 | $30,150 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,090 | $40,640 | $19.54 | $47,200 | $29,790 |
| Hammond, LA | 160 | $38,360 | $18.44 | $45,530 | $29,910 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 230 | $38,340 | $18.43 | $46,100 | $29,100 |
| Lafayette, LA | 670 | $39,230 | $18.86 | $48,460 | $30,740 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 230 | $39,500 | $18.99 | $46,360 | $31,730 |
| Monroe, LA | 250 | $37,800 | $18.17 | $48,860 | $30,130 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,430 | $40,190 | $19.32 | $47,340 | $33,700 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 630 | $40,900 | $19.67 | $51,080 | $34,730 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which program provides the best service for military students?
Bossier Parish Community College made the Military-Friendly Schools list for six years.
Whose Pharmacy Technician program costs the least?
Louisiana State University Eunice charges $2,495.00.
What time constraints do pharmacy technicians in Louisiana have to meet?
Once you register as a pharmacy technician candidate, you have 18 months to complete all requirements.
Why should you gather your documents before you apply for candidacy?
First, collecting necessary records takes time and will eat into your 18-month time frame.
Explain the TOPS Tech Early Start Award.
Eligible public school students receive $600 per year toward concurrent enrollment in technical school, college, or university vocational programs leading to a certificate or diploma.
Why become a Louisiana pharmacy technician?
The potential annual salary runs about $34,840.
