Pharmacy Technician Schools in Colorado

To become a successful pharmacy technician in Colorado, candidates must be concerned not only with education but also with career growth opportunities. Below, interested individuals will find a comprehensive guide outlining the framework for achieving these goals.

They will find a breakdown of the preparatory steps for training, the types of educational institutions to consider based on convenience and standard curricula, and the potential certification and licensing requirements. They will also find a list of training programs that operate at high educational standards.

Finally, the guide wraps up with an analysis of the annual average salary categories for pharmacy technicians in Colorado.

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Colorado

Below are the key considerations for launching a career as a pharmacy technician in Colorado.

Accredited Training

Enrolling in an accredited training program is the very first step to starting a pharmacy technician career in Colorado. Typically, candidates can complete their education in 2 years, earn certification, secure employment, or pursue higher education.

For those who want to start their careers faster, instead of 2-year associate degree programs, they may pursue 1-year certificate programs. Most pharmacy technician training programs require applicants to pass a background check before admission.

Practical Experience

Most employers offer full-time positions only to candidates who are likely trained in both academic and practical environments. This is why most training programs require pharmacy technician students to complete an internship or externship in the latter part of their training.

Some candidates may also leverage the internship period to secure direct employment at the same organization.

Certification and Specialization

Certification and possible specialization follow education. Specialization is especially important because it helps professionals improve by giving them a single focus area.

Employers also value candidates with a specialized skill set. Some areas of specialization for pharmacy technicians include central pharmacy operations technician, community pharmacy technician, and laboratory pharmacy technician.

For those who would like to become certified, we analyze the steps and requirements to keep in mind in the next section.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical assistant in Colorado

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Colorado is one of 5 states that do not regulate pharmacy technicians. This means candidates only need proper training to secure employment.

Of course, employers still have the right to decide what they want in a pharmacy tech they hire. Generally, those who are certified are usually more preferred over those who are not.

To become certified as a pharmacy technician in Colorado, professionals may consider the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To earn this credential, candidates must pass a certification examination.

Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Colorado

The entries below are among the best places for aspiring pharmacy technicians to study in Colorado.

Explore pharmacy technician schools in Colorado by city:

• Pharmacy technician schools in Denver

Salary & Career Outlook

It is possible to analyze the annual earnings of pharmacy technicians in Colorado using a few key factors. Analyzing strictly based on where they work in the state, we have the following as the most favorable locations:

• Lone Tree, with an annual average salary of $46,990;
• Boulder, with an annual average salary of $45,785;
• Denver, with an annual average salary of $45,164;
• Englewood, with an annual average salary of $44,417.

Analyzing without looking at any strict criterion, we have three main categories:

• The bottom 10% with an annual average salary of $34,092;
• the top 10% ending the year with an average of $57,715; and
• The median earner earns an annual salary of $44,358 according to Indeed.

The other determining factors are experience, establishment of employment, professional credentials, and more.