Pharmacy Technician Schools in Maryland

Pharmacy technicians support the efficient operation of pharmaceutical establishments by handling essential administrative and clinical tasks. In Maryland, they can assist patients, perform detailed medication reviews to minimize errors, and provide quality customer service, thereby strengthening the facility’s reputation.

In the guide that follows, we explore the key requirements for becoming a successful pharmacy technician. We analyze the educational considerations, preparatory steps, licensing and certification organizations, and more.

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Maryland

The following is a step-by-step guide to becoming a thriving pharmacy technician in Maryland.

Academic Training

Academic training is one of the most straightforward ways to enter the pharmacy technician profession. All candidates need to do is choose a recognized training program, learn crucial skills, and meet the program completion requirements.

Afterwards, they will have the skills necessary to secure employment or continue learning if they please. Academic programs for prospective pharmacy technicians can be offered on campus, online, or in a hybrid format.

They may also lead to a certificate or an associate degree, depending on the duration.

We will review some of the best training programs for prospective pharmacy technicians in Maryland in an upcoming section.

On-the-Job Training

Even after academic training, or instead of it, prospective pharmacy technicians can choose to learn on the job. Securing on-the-job training placement is easier for those with academic qualifications who want to refine their skills.

In this case, candidates may participate in an internship or an externship. Most clinical training programs in this profession last approximately 240 hours.

Job Placement & Advancement Opportunities

Candidates who have been comprehensively trained can prepare a resume and apply for open positions. They must, however, obtain certification to maximize their chances of career success; we explore certification options further below.

In Maryland, pharmacy technicians can specialize in central pharmacy operations, community pharmacy, or hospital pharmacy, among others.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a sterile processing technician in Maryland

Licensure & Certification Requirements

In Maryland, anyone who has been properly trained at an approved institution can begin the process to obtain licensure and certification. The agency responsible for licensing pharmacy technicians in the state is the Maryland Board of Pharmacy.

Before their applications can be considered, applicants must register with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy, complete the required background check and fingerprinting, and meet current eligibility requirements. Confirm current fees and the submission method (online/mail) on the Board’s site.

Applicants must be at least 17 years old and provide proof of their date of birth. In Maryland, pharmacy technicians typically obtain certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board by passing the PTCE exam or the National Healthcareer Association by passing the ExCPT exam. Both pathways lead to the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential.

Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Maryland

These are the best places to obtain pharmacy technician education in Maryland.

Explore pharmacy technician schools in Maryland by city:

• Pharmacy technician schools in Baltimore

Salary & Career Outlook

Without sorting the annual average salaries of pharmacy technicians in Maryland by any single criterion, the overall numbers can be grouped into three main categories. These include the bottom tier, who end the year with an average salary of $30,244; the mid-level earners, with an average annual salary of $41,206, according to Indeed; and the top-tier group, who earn at least $56,141.

Key determinants of these numbers include employers, credentials, experience, and, of course, specific locations within the state.

Focusing on the last point, the best places to work as a pharmacy technician in Maryland are Bethesda ($47,168), Hanover ($45,836), and Annapolis ($44,686).