Finding time for school as a working adult is sometimes a challenge.
You can find programs to teach you how to become a Pharmacy technician in Virginia in less than a year though.
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License Requirements To Become a Pharmacy Technician in Virginia
You must register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to work as a Pharmacy Technician.
The Board provides detailed information on what kind of Pharmacy Technician training you must receive before you register.
Options you have include completing a program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
You also can seek education through the Career and Technical Education program sponsored by the Department of Education.
Two credentialing bodies that provide referrals the Board of Pharmacy approves of include the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Consider training requirements before signing up for school.
You also will need to undergo a background check and have already completed high school.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Virginia
Keep in mind, the following school recommendations are only suggestions.
It’s up to you to verify their accreditations and credentials to see if they match with the state’s pharmacy board.
1. JT Pharmacy Training Program
This training center provides you with Pharmacy Technician career preparation accredited by the VA pharmacy board.
It also meets PTCB standards. 
Your JT training will cover pharmacy law and how to calculate medications.
In addition, you will learn the medication classification codes and prepare for work in both inpatient and outpatient environments.
You also have the chance to become skilled in sterile and non-sterile compounding.
This training also prepares you to handle insurance billing cases.
Moreover, you’ll know how to read drug labels and may end up assisting with IV preparations.
2. Rasmussen University
This school offers an online training option and has several U.S. campuses.
You can earn a certificate and pass your PTCE or ExCPT certification exams once you complete this coursework.
This instruction also gives you a chance to earn an associate degree in a healthcare field, and you can transfer your certificate credits to that. 
Your training will only take you about nine months to complete.
It prepares you for what to expect when working in a retail pharmacy or at an inpatient or outpatient center.
You will learn how to perform any duties allowed, such as packaging and distributing prescription medications.
In addition, this training gives you the core medical background you need to understand the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare treatment procedures.
3. Chester Career College (CCC)
CCC offers a Pharmacy Technician Diploma, a credential you can earn in less than a year.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with patient interaction.
In addition, you’ll know how to collect and gather patient medications for prescription packaging.
This coursework will also increase your understanding of the ethics and legal aspects of pharmaceutical work.
Equipment sterilization and career development are also part of the curriculum.
4. South College
The training you receive here could prepare you for a pre-pharmacy career.
You can complete the entire classroom portion online or take courses in person at multiple campuses. 
Perhaps you already took some certificate courses and want to expand your education.
This associate program can do that for you.
It also could become a stepping stone toward becoming a Licensed Pharmacist.
5. Piedmont Virginia College
It’s possible to apply for free tuition for this workforce training.
It’s a G3 program, which means you’d enroll with the objective of getting a job as soon as possible in mind. 
Your Piedmont instruction will open up both healthcare facility and retail pharmacy employment options.
The coursework and practical experience you gain from this program will develop your skills in serving patients who need their medications.
Your time spent preparing to become a Pharmacy Technician will also introduce you to handling patient records.
In addition, you’ll know how to handle medication.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Virginia
Top 5 Schools in Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| JT Pharmacy Training Program | 313 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219 |
| Rasmussen University | 1250 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908 |
| Chester Career College (CCC) | 751 W Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23836 |
| South College | 3904 Lonas Dr Knoxville, TN 37909 |
| Piedmont Virginia College | 501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Virginia
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $35,602 |
| Norfolk | $35,100 |
| Chesapeake | $35,000 |
| Richmond | $37,200 |
| Newport News | $34,900 |
| Hampton | $34,900 |
| Alexandria | $41,498 |
| Portsmouth | $35,100 |
| Roanoke | $34,500 |
| Lynchburg | $34,300 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 290 | $38,840 | $18.68 | $50,170 | $29,120 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 430 | $43,970 | $21.14 | $56,730 | $35,300 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 400 | $41,910 | $20.15 | $48,580 | $35,100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 310 | $38,850 | $18.68 | $45,950 | $30,620 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,370 | $41,740 | $20.07 | $50,550 | $34,820 |
| Roanoke, VA | 540 | $40,040 | $19.25 | $47,000 | $30,770 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 140 | $40,880 | $19.65 | $49,710 | $31,740 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 2,160 | $40,720 | $19.58 | $50,190 | $31,190 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 250 | $40,220 | $19.34 | $47,460 | $33,450 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Pharmacy Technician training in Virginia cost?
You may not have to pay anything for your training if you join a workforce program.
Other programs may require some payment upfront.
Then, you get reimbursed, or you can apply for financial aid.
If you do pay for it yourself, it may cost you between $3,000-$5,000.
How long does VA Pharmacy Technician take?
Certificate programs take an average of six to nine months.
Sometimes, you can find employment sooner than this and earn while you learn and work toward a certificate.
What can a Pharmacy Technician do and not do?
A Pharmacy Technician provides support to a pharmacist by handling patient prescription pickups, deliveries, etc.
They will also package and label medications.
In addition, they might count and measure dosages when supervised.
A Pharmacy Technician cannot provide advanced medical advice or write prescriptions.
However, they can answer basic questions as directed by a Licensed Pharmacist.
Where does a Pharmacy Technician find jobs?
You can usually look for openings at local pharmacies.
They’re typically in a department or convenient store.
However, you also may know of small, standalone medication dispensaries where you can work.
