The guide below provides Hawaii residents with everything they need to know and what to watch for when starting a career as a pharmacy technician in the state. The guide doesn’t just cover the key steps to securing employment; it also outlines the main approaches to ensure rapid career advancement and professional opportunities.
We begin with an in-depth look at the steps required to prepare for training and the specific educational approaches to achieve specific outcomes, including flexibility, certification preparation, and more.
Concerning certification, we also explore the organizations and steps needed to become certified pharmacy technicians. Finally, readers will find the best ways to improve their yearly earnings and the categories they may fall into, depending on unique factors.
How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Hawaii
Aspiring pharmacy technicians in Hawaii can start their careers by following the approach below.
Enrolling in an Approved Program
Many candidates start by completing a pharmacy technician training program to build job-ready skills and prepare for certification. Employers typically prefer to work with candidates who are already skilled, and attending a training program is one of the best ways to demonstrate readiness.
Candidates can begin by earning an associate degree from a 2-year program. They can also choose a more direct route by completing a 1-year certificate program.
Practical Experience
Most pharmacy technician positions in Hawaii require practical experience. Most training programs allow students to gain work experience through an internship or an assistant position in a pharmacy.
Candidates who complete an online course can also gain real-world experience through an externship program.
Certification
Certification is the next step after education for prospective pharmacy technicians. In this regard, candidates have two major organizations from which to pursue professional credentials.
These are the PTCB and the NHA. We discuss certification further in the next section.
Employment and Specialization
Finally, after completing the steps above, professionals can choose a specialty and secure employment. Pharmacy technicians in Hawaii can work as general pharmacy technicians, laboratory pharmacy technicians, community pharmacy technicians, and central pharmacy operations technicians, among others.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
To become a professional pharmacy technician in Hawaii, candidates must register with the Hawaii Board of Pharmacy. To do so, they must complete a formal application, pay the appropriate fees, and submit their completed form.
Of course, before they can access this, individuals must meet a few requirements. Completing an accredited training program to achieve the required skill level and a background check are required.
Applicants must also be at least 17 years old.
Finally, for certification, pharmacy technicians in Hawaii can pursue the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Hawaii
Below are some of the top institutions in Hawaii with impressive training programs for future pharmacy technicians.
Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu, HI Campus + Online
Kapiolani Community College, part of the University of Hawaii System, offers a comprehensive training program for future pharmacy technicians across the state.
Tuition
$2,000 per ProgramContact
(808) 734-9540
martincs@hawaii.edu
Hawaii Medical College
Honolulu, HI Campus + Online
Hawaii Medical College is the perfect place to go to find a pharmacy technician program that strikes the right balance between classroom and practical education.
Tuition
$320 per CreditContact
(808) 468-7571
admissions@hmi.edu
Leeward Community College
Pearl City, HI Campus + Online
Finally, Hawaii residents can build a strong foundation for their careers through the pharmacy technician program at Leeward Community College. The school offers workforce readiness and preparation for the PTCB certification exam.
Tuition
$1,800 per ProgramContact
(808) 455-0477
workdev@hawaii.edu
Explore pharmacy technician schools in Hawaii by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
How much a pharmacy technician in Hawaii earns at the end of the year depends on several factors, including their specific location within the state and their experience level. Some work environments and specialty areas offer more than others, while factors such as professional credentials and networking are also relevant.
The most popular earning bracket is for mid-level earners, with an average annual salary of $49,908, according to Indeed. Also possible are annual average salaries of $37,438 for those in the bottom tier and $66,530 for those in the top tier.
The best places to work as a pharmacy technician in Hawaii, based solely on average annual salaries, are Wailuku ($60,147), Kealakekua ($54,683), and Lihue ($52,120).




