The Mission of the Pharmacy Technology Program is to equip students with the essential skills to provide safe, ethical, and culturally competent care though theoretical knowledge and practical training, preparing them to be positive contributors in the healthcare setting.

  • Analyze and process prescription and medication orders
  • Calculate accurately pharmaceutical conversions and medication dosages within scope of Pharmacy Technician duties.
  • Reference and apply pharmacy law to application of Pharmacy Technician duties.
  • Identify Brand and Generic names of the Top 200 medications commonly used in pharmacy settings.
  • Model ethical leadership and cultural competency towards the community in a pharmacy setting.
  • Apply and prepare for examination and evaluation of results from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
  • Employ career readiness and soft skills applicable to the Pharmacy Technician profession.

The Pharmacy Technician Program is offered on an open enrollment basis. Students are required to attend a mandatory program orientation session, which provides an overview of the program, course expectations, and licensure requirements, prior to enrolling in PHT 060. Enrollment remains open until the course reaches maximum capacity.

To apply:

  • Become a student at San Bernardino Valley College.
    1. Complete the college admission and enrollment steps.
    2. Apply to SBVC Here!
  • Attend the required Program Orientation.
    1. Attendance at a scheduled Program Orientation is required to receive petition clearance for the first-semester course PHT 060.
    2. Students may contact the instructor of the section they wish to register for or the Pharmacy Technology Department at SBVCPharmTech@valleycollege.edu to obtain orientation information, see the website for orientation registration, or contact the course instructor for additional details.
    3. During the orientation, program-specific requirements, application instructions, externship and licensure requirements, as well as additional program information, will be provided.

Program costs vary by student. The estimated costs below reflect a typical projection for the Certificate of Achievement. Actual expenses may be higher or lower and are subject to change at any time. Financial aid may be available for eligible students.

These estimated costs include expenses incurred throughout the certificate program and post-completion costs required for state licensure and national pharmacy technician certification.

Estimated expenses include:

  • Tuition & college fees: $1,200+
  • Program eBooks: $400+
  • Uniforms: $100+
  • Externship clearance fees (e.g., background check, drug screening, immunizations): $250+
  • California State licensing / registration application fees: $280+
  • National pharmacy technician certification exam: $130+
    (through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)

Total Estimated Program Costs = approximately $2,400

Students must have all required clearances and documentation in place before being placed at a pharmacy site. The externship (clinical experience) occurs during the second semester of the program in PHT 072 – Pharmacy Clinical Experience.

To be eligible for externship placement, students must:

  • Have successfully completed PHT 070 and PHT 071 or be concurrently enrolled in the remaining four required courses (PHT 070, PHT 071, PHT 072 and PHT 074).
  • Be 18 years of age on the day the course begins.
  • Meet all externship clearance and documentation requirements listed below.

Prior to the externship enrollment period, the Program Director will contact currently enrolled students to provide detailed instructions for upcoming semester registration and other clearance requirements. The items listed below represent the majority, but not all, of the requirements students may need to complete. Items should only be collected or completed after speaking with the Program Director, as some may be time sensitive.

Students must provide proof of:

  • Cleared background check
  • Cleared drug screen
  • Medical clearance from a healthcare provider
  • Required proof of titers for:
  • Hepatitis B series
  • MMR
  • Varicella
  • Required immunizations, including:
  • Tdap
  • Influenza
  • COVID-19 (declination accepted)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) clearance
  • Student School ID card
  • Government-issued state identification
  • Professional liability insurance
  • CPR – Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association
  • Proof of Health insurance
  • Program uniforms

To be eligible to apply to the California State Board of Pharmacy for a Pharmacy Technician license, students must:

  • Complete all seven Pharmacy Technology program courses with a grade of C or higher to earn the Certificate of Achievement.
  • Receive guidance from the Program Director during the final semester on completing the application process. All required items should be collected or completed only after speaking with the Program Director, as some may be time sensitive.

Students must provide or complete the following for state licensure:

  • Age: Must be 18 years or older
  • Identification: Valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • State ID: California state-issued identification card or driver’s license
  • Education: Sealed high school transcripts, GED certificate, or notarized foreign diploma transcripts
  • Background Check: Complete a Livescan/background check
  • Photo: Provide a passport- photo
  • Self-Query: Submit a self-query report
  • Training/Certification: Meet educational training requirements offered through Pharmacy Technology program and/or obtain PTCB certification.

Important Note:
Students with a history of illicit drug use or certain criminal records may not be granted a license by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Such students may be discouraged from enrolling in the program.

The Pharmacy Technology ASHP-accredited program at San Bernardino Valley College serves as the qualifying training pathway for pharmacy technician licensure and meets the requirements for eligibility to sit for national certification. Completion of the program alone does not replace the requirement to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The program prepares students to sit for national certification, and all students are strongly encouraged to take the exam.

National certification is:

  • Industry-recognized
  • Required for most hospital or advanced technician roles
  • Nationally recognized, allowing certification to transfer to other states
  • Helpful for improving employment prospects

Additionally, the Pharmacy Technician Program offers a noncredit course, PHT 601, every semester. This course is available to students after program completion as a refresher before taking the certification exam, or for already licensed pharmacy technicians who wish to prepare for certification.

TOP Code 1221.00 - Pharmacy Technology

CIP Code 51.0805 - Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

Labor Market Assessment for Pharmacy Technicians - Inland Empire/Desert Center of Excellence, August 2025

 

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