Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Admission requirements

• Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. 
• Have English language and math proficiency sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the pharmacy technician job responsibilities, demonstrated by passing the reading comprehension and math assessments in three or fewer attempts.  A minimum score of 70% is required for each assessment.  
• Disclose any history of criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration actions that may affect the student’s ability to pursue national pharmacy technician certification.  
• Pass a criminal record background check.  
• Comply with immunization requirements of experiential sites and employers. 
• Meet technology requirements: All students must have access to a computer and internet with capabilities to view and hear video demonstrations. 
• Be available for on-site simulation and experiential hours at UI Health Care.
• PLEASE NOTE: Pre-Pharmacy or other Full-Time University Students seeking to earn Certification or Experience as a Pharmacy Technician should NOT apply for this program. This program requires a student to commit 35-40 hours a week to independent and in person training, including over 200 hours of onsite training at UI Healthcare. If you are a full-time college student, you would not be able to meet the time commitment necessary to successfully complete the program. We do not offer a program that is strictly remote (hands on, in person training is VERY important), or part time, nor do we offer in person training that is strictly nights and weekends. While we offer some flexibility, most of the in person Simulated activities and Experiential rotations are conducted during normal daytime business hours.
• University of Iowa students on the Pre-Pharmacy or Pre-Med or Pre-Nursing track that wish to gain Pharmacy Experience as a Technician can often qualify for STUDENT PHARMACY TECHNICIAN positions WITHOUT going through this program. You can gain valuable pharmacy experience and earn money to help pay for school. You can find those job postings at Jobs@Uiowa

Program overview

The program is approximately 420 hours (12-15 weeks) in length and will be scheduled individually with the program coordinator based on student availability and preference. Training is provided in both online and in-person formats.  

Didactic/Online (approximately 130 hours)  

Acquired at the convenience of the student by completing online training modules through the Pharmacy Technician University program. Students learn about skills and knowledge they will need to know to pass the certification exam and work as a technician. Includes learning about common generic and name-brand medications, pharmacy ratios and proportion equations, pharmacy law, electronic insurance claims, professional interaction with patients, sterile and non-sterile compounding, and other topics appropriate to UI Health Care pharmacy settings. 

Simulation (approximately 66 hours)  

Acquired through in-person training schedule with the program coordinator at UI Health Care. Students will get opportunities to gain first exposure to activities such as putting on garb and going into a simulated clean room to learn proper aseptic technique. They will also learn about making non-sterile compound products and perform role-playing activities that will mimic the tasks of a certified pharmacy technician.  

Experiential (approximately 224 hours)  

Acquired through in-person training where the student spends time at a variety of pharmacy locations within UI Health Care shadowing pharmacists and technicians while performing many of the tasks required of a technician. These include filling and dispensing medications, and compounding sterile and non-sterile products, among other tasks.  

Program Training Dates: 

The student roster for the Spring Session, starting in January 2025, is full. All applications submitted will be considered for the Summer Session to begin in late May 2025.

Download Pharmacy Technician Training Program manual

Program costs

Tuition assistance is not available. Program fees must be paid at noted timelines and are subject to change. Additional payment plans are available upon request. 

Covered Expenses:  

• Access to online materials through Pharmacy Technician University 
• Uniform(s) 
• Iowa Board of Pharmacy trainee registration fee 
• Iowa Board of Pharmacy certified technician registration fee 
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board certification exam (one time) 

How to apply: 

• Complete the application form
• Attach a copy of high school diploma or equivalent to the application form.
• Complete pre-assessments of reading comprehension and math administered through Pharmacy Technician University

Graduate Performance

100% of graduates of the UI Health Care Pharmacy Technician Training Program who have taken the national pharmacy technician examination have achieved a passing rate.

Questions? 

To learn more about this program, contact:  

Ben Voss, program coordinator, [email protected]  

Becky Triplett, Pharmacy Manager, [email protected]