--- title: Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/becoming-a-certified-pharmacy-technician/" type: page date_published: 2025-08-19 date_modified: 2026-05-12 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-US word_count: 790 reading_time: 4 min canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/becoming-a-certified-pharmacy-technician/" --- # Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician ![Arizona College hero bars graphic](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/themes/arizona-college/assets/svg/hero-bars.svg) # Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician Classes begin June 1st ![How to become a Pharmacy Technician](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/icon-local_pharmacy.svg?w=1024) [Pharmacy Technician](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/) ![Icon for Pharmacy Technician Program Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-pharma-tech-white.svg?w=1024) [Become a Pharm Tech](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/how-to-become-a-pharmacy-technician/) ![Icon for how do I become a pharmacy technician](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-pharmacy-roles-white.svg?w=1024) [Pharmacy Tech Roles](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/what-is-a-pharmacy-technician/) ## Pharmacy Technician Certification After completing a  [pharmacy technician training program](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/) , your next goal will be to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). Getting a pharmacy technician license starts with passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. This examination is offered by the  [Pharmacy Technician Certification Board](http://www.ptcb.org/). **Note:** The CPhT is a requirement for the Pharmacy Technician Full License in Arizona. ## Renewing Your Pharmacy Technician Certification Both your Certified License and PTCB certification must be renewed every 2 years. Before renewing your certification and applying for a renewed license, you must successfully complete 20 hours of continuing education ![Pharmacy Technician Program Graduate](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pharmtechniciangraduate-1.webp) Here are the PTCB Exam rates for the two campuses at Arizona College from July 1st, 2024, to June 30th, 2025: 1. Glendale campus: 46% passing rate on the PTCB Exam. 2. Mesa campus: 58% passing rate on the PTCB Exam Congratulations to all the students who put in their hard work and dedication to achieve these results! Of course, the process of how to become a certified pharmacy technician first starts with completing a training program and an externship where you get to work alongside a pharmacist and gain first-hand experience in the pharmacy field. ## Two Different Pharmacy Technician Certification Licenses There are two levels of licenses per the Certification Board: the Trainee License and the Full License. Below are the steps on how to get each type of pharmacy technician license: Required for our students to practice during their externships. To obtain a trainee license, you’ll apply at the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy with your U.S. birth certificate and high school diploma or GED. The fee is $50\* for a 2-year license. This step should must be completed prior to your externship. \*[Pharmacy.az.gov](https://pharmacy.az.gov/apply-new-license-or-registration) Achieved by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). While going through this process, some graduates may work under a Trainee License. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers this exam and issues the certification. When you submit an application for certified licensure, you will be required by law to show proof of your PTCB certification. ## Begin Your Journey To Become a Pharmacy Technician Today! Arizona College’s Pharmacy Technician training program can provide you with the education and training you need for  [becoming a pharmacy technician](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/pharmacy-technician/how-to-become-a-pharmacy-technician/) . Submit a request for information form to learn more about how our pharmacy tech program prepares you with the knowledge and skills needed to pass the exam requirements. ## National & Programmatic Accreditation ![ABHES Accredited Nursing School](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/logo-abhes.png) All Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the  [Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)](https://www.abhes.org/) , a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency. ![ASHP Accredited Healthcare Program School](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/768510.webp) The Pharmacy Technician program at Arizona College, Glendale is [ASHP accredited](https://www.ashp.org/Professional-Development/Technician-Program-Accreditation) . Accreditation is the act of granting credit or recognition, especially to an educational institution that maintains quality and compliance with the ASHP standards. ## Guide to Becoming a Pharmacy Technician Ready to make a difference in healthcare? 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