Do you wish you could just start working as soon as possible but make a living wage?
You can if you learn how to become a Pharmacy Technician in New Jersey.
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Licensing Requirements to Become
You don’t need to have a license to practice as a Pharmacy Technician in New Jersey.
However, you must register with the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy when you start working.
Other credentialing information is offered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
Most people working in this role also seek certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Through the PTCB, you would earn credentials when you take the exam they host.
The NABP provides additional options.
For instance, this credentialing body enables certified individuals to transfer their credentials from another state to New Jersey.
They also provide resources for performing emergency pharmaceutical services on a temporary basis.
Another popular Pharmacy Tech certification body is the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA).
It’s reportedly the largest association for this profession in the world and has operated since 1999 preparing students for certification.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in New Jersey
Common certifications students pursue include the Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPht) and the Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT).
The PCTB is the one who offers these.
If you want to acquire this certification, seek schooling that prepares you for this.
1. Ocean County College
Ocean County College offers a Pharmacy Technician program that includes PTCB exam prep.
Coursework will train you in dosage conversion, IV flow rates, pharmacy inventory control, and drug compounding.
You will also learn how to identify drugs by both their brand and generic names.
It’s a certificate course that will take you less than a year.
2. Pennco Tech
Also located in Pennsylvania, Pennco Tech has a Pharmacy Technician Program you can register for, and this school has a campus in New Jersey.
Training includes an externship, and you can graduate in as little time as six months.
Your coursework will teach you how to recognize medications by both their generic and brand names.
This certification learning track also introduces you to the chemical aspects of mixing drugs and medication safety.
You will also learn the techniques used in the Pharmacy industry to control inventory and process customer refills.
3. The American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education (AIMS Education)
The Pharmacy Technician program offered by this school prepares you for an entry-level position in a pharmacy setting.
You will learn how to administer the correct dosages to patients and will understand how to classify drugs.
Your AIMS training includes both classroom time and hands-on learning.
The PTCB credentialing body recognizes this instruction.
You can use it to prepare for your Pharmacy Tech certificate exam.
Time spent in this program totals about seven months if you enroll during the day and nine months if you enroll in the evening.
4. County College of Morris (CCM)
The CCM Pharmacy Technician certification training is designed to get you employed as fast as possible.
You receive direct connections with healthcare companies and pharmacies looking for people like you that have the potential to succeed in a pharmaceutical role.
You can sign up to become a CCM apprentice and secure full-time employment in less than a year.
Initial training only takes about seven months.
5. PTCB Test Prep
The PTCB Test Prep website provides you with resources for Pharmacy Tech certification exam preparation.
It’s not affiliated with PTCB, but it could help you prepare for your tests.
Check it out before you register for access.
If it matches up with what the New Jersey Board says you should learn, it should help you pass your test.
You can request practice tests from PTCB Test Prep.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in New Jersey – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in New Jersey
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ocean County College | 1 College Dr, Toms River, NJ 08754 |
| Pennco Tech | 3815 Otter St, Bristol, PA 19007 |
| The American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education (AIMS Education) | 4500 New Brunswick Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854 |
| County College of Morris (CCM) | 214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869 |
| PTCB Test Prep | Online |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in New Jersey
A New Jersey Pharmacy Technician can make an average yearly income of $41,200.
Salaries usually range from $37,200-$46,000 per year.
If you continue your certificate training and gain as much work experience as possible, you could increase your earnings to $50,370.
If you don’t find jobs in your location, look in Newark, Princeton, East Rutherford, Edison, or Elizabeth and Forked River.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in New Jersey
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $42,600 |
| Jersey City | $44,800 |
| Paterson | $43,000 |
| Elizabeth | $42,600 |
| Edison | $41,800 |
| Woodbridge | $41,800 |
| Dover | $40,000 |
| Hamilton | $34,000 |
| Trenton | $40,223 |
| Camden | $39,900 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 360 | $41,530 | $19.97 | $51,500 | $30,440 |
| Ocean City, NJ | 100 | $40,460 | $19.45 | $49,030 | $29,390 |
| Trenton, NJ | 450 | $41,950 | $20.17 | $54,660 | $31,040 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ | 190 | $39,850 | $19.16 | $47,620 | $30,300 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does NJ Pharmacy Tech training take?
It usually takes you about six to nine months to prepare for an entry-level position.
You find work faster if you seek hands-on experience as soon as possible.
Do you need a degree to become a Pharmacy Tech in New Jersey?
No, you don’t need a degree.
You will if you decide to become a Pharmacist though.
How much does NJ Pharmacy Tech training cost?
It may cost you about $3,000-$5,000 per year.
State Board-approved programs are usually eligible for financial aid.
Sometimes, the cost of your exam is included with your tuition.
Do you need a license to be a Pharmacy Technician in New Jersey?
Registration is required, which is similar to licensing, but NJ doesn’t license Pharmacy Techs.
Most healthcare employers require them though.
Until you receive your first certificate you will work under close supervision by a Pharmacist.
