If you think you have to attend school for several years to work at a healthcare facility, think again.
You can learn how to become a Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota in about a year.
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Licensing Requirements to Become
Pharmacy Technicians must register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.
You also need to renew that registration once a year.
When registering to become a Pharmacy Technician, you need to complete your state-approved training within 12 months.
Moreover, you must fulfill 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years.
Important Note About Seeking Proper Training
It seems more complicated in Minnesota than in other states to become a Pharmacy Technician.
For instance, government website documentation states that a board-approved Pharmacy Technician training program and a pharmacy technician certification program are not the same thing.
MN also says that the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Exam for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) do not fulfill training requirements.
On the other hand, seeking training is required by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, but the Board of Pharmacy doesn’t require certification. Healthcare employers usually are the ones who require the certification.
It’s important to contact all the relevant agencies and understand what training you must receive before registering for any classes.
If you’re confused, start here and ask all the questions you need to ask before paying tuition for courses.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Minnesota
1. Hennepin Technical College
You can achieve a Pharmacy Technician Diploma at Hennepin after about a year.
It will prepare you for national certification. However, you must verify with the state board to make sure it fulfills requirements.
Your training includes core courses in medical terms and pharmacology.
In addition, you’ll become familiar with the legalities and ethics associated with medication distribution.
You also will have the chance to practice interacting with real patients.
2. Minnesota North College
If you’re not sure yet about becoming a Pharmacy Technician or want to explore other health care careers, start with this.
MN North also provides opportunities to train in different levels of nursing, which also may require some pharmacology courses.
Your training starts with background information pertaining to the healthcare field.
It also shows you what to expect when working in a medical environment.
You might want to contact this school directly to find out what they recommend about becoming a Pharmacy Tech.
3. Rasmussen University
Rasmussen does have a MN campus. However, you can also take their online Pharmacy Technician training.
It takes about nine months and will prepare you for working in a healthcare environment where you’ll be responsible for medications
As long as you find out the Minnesota State Board approves of this training, it will prepare you for a pharmacy retail setting.
Otherwise, you’d work in a clinic, hospital or doctor’s office.
Your time spent in this coursework will show you how to identify the most commonly used drugs.
In addition, you’ll know how to package and label them before distributing them to patients under the direction of a Licensed Pharmacist.
4. Penn Foster
Sometimes, it’s not easy to find training near you.
Therefore, online education at Penn Foster could help prepare you for a Pharmacy Technician Career. 
Your Penn Foster training would include an externship at a local Walgreens, CVS, or another pharmacy.
At some point, you will gain enough experience to work in private practice or a local hospital.
This training will take you about a year to complete.
It prepares you for an entry-level Pharmacy Technician position.
You may have more than one option to tailor your training to MN standards.
5. Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP)
MSHP provides resources for you to help you complete your required CE courses, including a list of places you can enroll in them.
Some of these learning centers include The University of Minnesota and MediCom Worldwide. 
You will find additional resources on the MSHP website that come from the MN Board of Pharmacy.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College also have some CE offerings from time to time.
Course topics include billing procedures and how to prevent opioid overdose.
Furthermore, you could learn about immunization procedures.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Minnesota – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Minnesota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Hennepin Technical College | 9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445 |
| Minnesota North College | 1515 E 25th St, Hibbing, MN 55746 |
| Rasmussen University | 4400 W 78th St. Fl 6. Bloomington, MN 55435 |
| Penn Foster | 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 |
| Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) | 13911 Ridgedale Dr # 260, Minnetonka, MN 55305 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Minnesota
A Minnesota Pharmacy Technician can start out making an average yearly income of $38,073.
Your annual salary may range from $34,331 to $42,482.
Fulfilling your CE requirements and gaining additional experience could raise your earnings to $46,497 or more.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Minnesota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $39,702 |
| St. Paul | $39,700 |
| Duluth | $35,300 |
| Rochester | $36,100 |
| Bloomington | $37,000 |
| Brooklyn Park | $36,000 |
| Plymouth | $37,000 |
| Eagan | $35,600 |
| Coon Rapids | $37,000 |
| Burnsville | $39,600 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 460 | $42,390 | $20.38 | $49,750 | $35,830 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | 140 | $44,440 | $21.36 | $54,760 | $35,550 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 5,100 | $47,470 | $22.82 | $59,430 | $37,970 |
| Rochester, MN | 440 | $49,790 | $23.94 | $59,880 | $37,420 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 320 | $44,730 | $21.5 | $54,910 | $36,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do Minnesota Pharmacy Technicians work?
They often work in a retail store setting.
However, they might also become employed anywhere that has a pharmacy department.
This includes at hospitals, in a doctor’s or specialist’s private office, or in a public clinic or long-term care facility.
You might also find open positions at schools.
How long does MN Pharmacy Technician training take?
You can complete your Pharmacy Technician training for an entry-level position in about a year.
That depends on where you seek your hands-on training and if the school you attend has the courses that meed the MN Board requirements.
How much does certification for MN Pharmacy Techs cost?
According to PTCB Test Prep, it costs $129. Another source says $135.
Fees sometimes change and may differ according to your level of training.
You should contact the MN Board of Pharmacy for the most recent information.
