Pharmacy Technicians function as a vital member of the health care team preparing medications under the guidance of a pharmacist.  They serve patients in a variety of pharmacy settings such as retail drug stores, department or grocery stores, medical clinics, nursing homes, mail-order pharmacies, and specialized oncology facilities.

Pharmacy Technician duties may include:

• stock, order, and maintain drug and equipment inventory
• maintain patient medication and medical records
• assist in dispensing of medications
• bill for pharmacy services, goods, and prescriptions
• non-sterile and sterile compounding of medications
• measure, mix, count, and/or label medications
• operate and maintain computerized dispensing and/or robotic machinery

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.”

The BLS lists Washington as the top paying state for pharmacy technicians in 2021 with an average hourly wage of $23.81, or about $49,530 annually. This is above the national median wage the BLS records as $18.17.

This program prepares you to be a licensed pharmacy technician pharmacy technician in Washington State. To practice in this State, you must meet the following requirements:

• Graduate from a Washington State Pharmacy Commission approved technician training program like this one. Pharmacy specific training must be completed within a year.
• Complete at least 8 hours of Washington pharmacy law. (AHPT 140)
• Answer personal data questions and complete an application for State licensure with appropriate signed forms.
• Pay a fee to process your application.
• Obtain a certificate or score letter verifying a passing score on a National Certification Examination like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Passing this exam earns you the Certified Pharmacy Technician or CPhT credentials.

To maintain licensure in WA: You must complete 2.0 CPE hours (equal to twenty contact hours) administered by an ACPE accredited program each certification renewal period. Approved continuing education credits must be earned through a commission-approved or Accreditation Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE)-accredited education program or course. You must also pay a renewal fee.  Find out more about pharmacy professions licensing through the WA Department of Health Website.

To maintain your national certification earned through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), you must earn 20 hours of CE during the 2-year recertification period that includes at least 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. A fee is also required for renewal.

The following costs are ESTIMATES of the expenses students can expect during the program.

These costs do not include coursework taken prior to entry.

• Full-time tuition per quarter: $1770.70*
  Total certificate lab fees: $75*
  Books/supplies per quarter: $250
  Pharmacy Assistant Application Fee for the WA State Department of Health: $70

Total approximate costs for the one-year certificate program of 4 quarters of full-time attendance is $8498.68..
*Tuition and lab fees are subject to change.
**Rates subject to change; please see current rate listed in the Business Office (Deccio Higher Education Center).
The estimated costs do not include transportation, room and board, or other personal needs.

Our Pharmacy Technician program accepts up to 20 applications yearly and begins Fall Quarter. The application period closes on August 1 annually.

Step 1: Apply for Admission to Yakima Valley College.

Step 2: Request a program handbook and appointment with the program advisor by emailing Alliedhealth@yvcc.edu.

Step 3: Submit a program application before August 1 for the following fall cohort.

Apply Here during Application Period

Immunizations and Training

Students are required to complete CPR/First Aid/4-hr HIV/AIDS training, obtain current immunization records, and apply for their pharmacy assistance license through the Washington Department of Health website prior to applying to the program. Proof of completion of HIV/AIDS training via a community source is acceptable. Certifications and immunizations must remain current through completion of the Pharmacy Technician Program Externship course.

Immunization Requirements

The Pharmacy Technician Program’s affiliation agreements with clinical and practicum training sites require students to be complete with all immunizations and tuberculosis (TB) screening as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for healthcare personnel. The requirements reduce the risk of exposure to communicable diseases for students and their patients/clients.

Students who have applied, or plan to apply, to the Pharmacy Technician Program must supply official documentation of their immunization status with their application to the program.

If Immunization status is not verified at time of application, the application will be ineligible for review. Failure to maintain immunization records with annual updates will impact enrollment status, jeopardize clinical participation, and continued program participation will be prohibited. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all immunizations and/or proof of immunity documentation be submitted on time (prior to the start of the program and any quarter thereafter). Immunizations, and any needed laboratory testing, are done at the student’s expense.

Current Immunization Requirements

Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap): Within the last eight years. If you have had a Tdap prior to the eight-year mark, a regular tetanus shot may be used.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): Documentation of two injections. If this documentation cannot be provided, then serum titer must be done to demonstrate immunity. If any portion of the titer is negative, a booster must be conducted followed by a titer repeat 30 days after the booster, for the portion the applicant is negative.

Hepatitis B: The series of three injections must be given over a period of months. The second injection is administered one month after the first, with the third administered six months after the first. The series of three injections must be given over a period of months, followed by a post immunization titer. The second injection is administered one month from the first, with the third administered six months after the first. Documentation must be in the student’s file proving the immunization has been completed prior to participation in the program. A positive Hepatitis B titer may be used to replace evidence of the shot series.

Or Hepatitis B Titer: A serologic titer with LAB results for Hepatitis B demonstrating immunity. If the titer is negative for immunity, a restart of the series is required. Documentation demonstrating the restart of the series, using the CDC guidelines must be included with titer results.

Tuberculin skin test (PPD): Required once a year after the two-step baseline has been established. Evidence of recent, three, current consecutive years of testing history is accepted in place of the two-step baseline, provided they are annually and timely. Students with a positive PPD must have a chest x- ray demonstrate that they are negative for active disease and provide documentation to the Medical Assisting Program office. Once a chest x-ray is performed, the student must have an annual questionnaire in place of the PPD. The student should have a repeat PPD if exposed to a patient with active TB. A tuberculin titer, known as a Quantiferron, may also be used.

Date Administered/Date read and read results.
Date Administered/Date read and read results.

A PPd 2-step baseline is an injection, read and results that are repeated within 10 days. All PPd records must demonstrate the date administered, the date read, with results to be valid.

Hepatitis A: Currently not required, however, some facilities require a minimum of one injection prior to student placement so it is highly recommended to have at least one administered.

Varicella: Provide proof of two doses of inoculation, or titer lab results

Flu: Proof of seasonal flu immunization which is not due until Winter Quarter starting in January.

COVID-19: 2 vaccinations for Moderna 21 days apart, 2 vaccinations for Pfizer 28 days apart, or 1 vaccination for Johnson & Johnson

Background check and drug screen

Criminal history background information and drug screening are required of students after tentative acceptance into the Pharmacy Technician program. Information obtained from the background check and/or drug screen will be considered in determining student eligibility complete the experiential courses. Inability to participate externship experiences due to information obtained from the criminal history background check and/or drug screen may result in the student’s inability to satisfactorily complete program requirements.

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information. 

• Apply quality assurance practices that promote patient centered care throughout the medication use process.
• Demonstrate proper processes and procedures for preparing and dispersing various medications.
• Explain Federal and Washington State laws governing pharmacy practice and the requirements for licensure of a professional pharmacy technician.
• Identify the most prescribed drugs and common over the counter medications used in the United States today.
• Demonstrate correct processes and procedures for accurate medical billing and reimbursement. (AAS only)

A computer (no older than 5 years is recommended) and access to Wi-Fi is needed to complete these program courses. Do not plan to complete your class on smart phones or tablets. Some of the system functions that some courses use may not work well or at all on mobile devices.

Find out more about online learning at YVC.

PTCB National Exam Pass Rates

• 2021: YVC’s pass rate 67%, the national rate 71%
• 2022: YVC’s pass rate 100%, the national rate 70%

YVC Pharmacy Tech Completion Rates

2020-2023 data shows our average completion rate is 90%.

YVC offers a unique approach to obtaining a variety of health professional certificates or degrees.

• Our shorter-term certificate offerings range from 5 to 69 credits in length.
• Our Associate of Applied Science Degree, we offer several options which range from 90 to 106 credits in length.

Our Allied Health Technology programs provide career and enrichment coursework and clinical experiences in order to build the knowledge, skills, and competencies for providing care for people of all ages in a variety of medical professions. Each program has different admission criteria, coursework, and degree options, ranging from introductory classes and certificates to associate of applied science degrees focused on a specific area of study. The majority of courses are offered in an online format. Clinical laboratory practice and clinical externship are required in some program courses.

YVC’s recently opened West Campus features expanded classrooms and labs for five of the college’s Allied Health programs: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Sterile Processing Technician, and Surgical Technology. The new facility is designed to prepare students to excel as healthcare professionals by providing spaces that mimic real-life healthcare settings. Learn more about West Campus and the Kaminski Allied Health Center.