Approved by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy

Pharmacy is one of the fastest growing health care fields in the world, and with new standards set by state and national regulatory agencies, technician education is becoming a must.

Per Alabama Board of Pharmacy regulations, any newly registered technician in Alabama will be required to complete an ALBOP-approved training course within six months of their initial registration.

Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy offers a pharmacy technician education program that you can complete online in just eight weeks. Led by faculty within the school, participants will receive a certificate of completion after successfully completing all course requirements and passing a comprehensive final exam.

The program prepares students to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) examination and is structured to address the main domains of the examination.  Opportunities for face-to-face or web-based interaction with program faculty will be offered on a regular weekly basis throughout the program to ensure students receive the support they need.

Upcoming Classes

Pharmacy Technician Training Course (Spring 2024)

This online certificate program will prepare students to sit for national pharmacy technician certification examinations. The two-month program runs April 1 through May 24, 2024.

Payments can be made in one or two installments. 

Expectations and Preparation

What to Expect

Over the course of the program you will receive broad exposure to the requirements of a pharmacy technician. An emphasis will be placed on learning objectives for national certification board examinations. Though the majority of your time will be spent reading and reviewing modules created by faculty, we will provide ample opportunities for interaction with faculty via email or live chat. Your preparation for a career as a pharmacy technician is our top priority, as we want your Samford preparation to transform the lives of the patients you will serve. You should expect to spend an average of 10 hours per week engaging with the material and lectures.

Plan of Study

Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for having access to a computer or tablet that can access the internet in addition to a scanner or mobile phone with camera (for submitting homework assignments) to complete the course requirements.

The online course delivery system used in the program works with any operating system (e.g., PC or Mac) and any internet browser.  

Board Registration

Prior to beginning the program, if not already registered, participants are required to register as a pharmacy technician with the Alabama Board of Pharmacy. Access the Alabama Board of Pharmacy’s online registration system at albop.com. Make sure you have a passport-sized photo to upload to the Board of Pharmacy website. If you have issues registering with the Alabama Board of Pharmacy or wish to register in person, you can contact the Board of Pharmacy directly at 205-981-2280.

Pricing and Textbooks

Cost of Program

The cost of this pharmacy technician education program is $899, which can be paid either at one time or in two installments of $449.50.

The first installment must be received 10 days prior the first class. The second installment must be received 14 days into the program.  Failure to pay the second installment will result in removal of the student from the course.

This does not include the cost of the Alabama Board of Pharmacy technician registration free or textbooks. 

Required Texts

These books are available for purchase from most online book vendors.

  • Mosby's Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice, 6th edition, textbook.
  • American Pharmacists Association. Complete Math Review for Pharmacy Technicians, 5th edition, textbook.

Refund Policy

As a courtesy to our instructors and other participants, if you need to cancel registration you must do so within 48 hours of the first day of class.  Refunds will be considered in the event of medical emergencies, family death, or program cancellation.  Please contact us should you have questions or require additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Can I get financial assistance for the pharmacy technician training program?

Samford's pharmacy technician training program is a non-credit, certification course.  Since the program does not provide college credit, students in the program are not eligible for financial aid assistance. 

What is the purpose of the pharmacy technician training program?

Samford's pharmacy technician training program is intended to provide students with a broad exposure to the knowledge-base needed to be a competent pharmacy technician.  Professional attributes such as timeliness and flexibility needed for professional success are also addressed.  Furthermore, our program is well positioned to provide training needed by regulatory and certification organizations:

  1. Our program is recognized by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy (ALBOP) as an approved training course. ALBOP requires all newly registered pharmacy technicians to complete an ALBOP-approved training course.
  2. Furthermore, our program is a Pharmacy Technician Training Board (PTCB) recognized education/training program. In order to take the Pharmacy Technician Training Exam (PTCE), candidates will have to have completed a PTCB recognized education/training program or provide evidence of equivalent work experience.

What are the requirements to enter the pharmacy technician training program?

You need only to provide evidence of registration with ALBOP or the relevant regulatory agency in the jurisdiction where you work.  Successful registration with ALBOP ensures that you will be able to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician.  If you are unable to register with ALBOP, successful completion of this course WILL NOT allow you to work as a pharmacy technician.  Please check the ALBOP website for pertinent requirements and forms.

How is the framework/content of the pharmacy technician training program structured?

The pharmacy technician training program is an eight week online curriculum.  Students will only be expected to come to the campus of Samford University once during the program for a four-hour session to address non-sterile and sterile compounding. 

During a normal week of the program, students will view online videos, complete relevant homework assignments, and take content reinforcing quizzes.  Students will also have the opportunity to interact with program faculty online at appointed times during each week.  In order to successfully complete the program, students will have to pass a comprehensive final exam which focuses broadly on concepts learned during the eight weeks