Pharmacy Technology
About Our Program
Accepting applications for Academic Year 2025-26 !
To apply for the program at that time, you will need to follow the steps below.
Become a Pharmacy Technician
Learn about Mikaela's experience and journey at Foothill College.
Registered pharmacy technicians are in great demand nationwide, throughout California, and especially in the Bay Area.
By studying pharmacy tech, you can work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, retail, home health care, and public and government health agencies.
Start Your Career Path at Foothill
Hear Why from Angela Su, Foothill Pharmacy Technology Program Director
About the Program
The Foothill College Pharmacy Technician Program curriculum is a nine-month sequence of instruction, with entry in the Fall Quarter only. The program is an ASHP/ACPE nationally accredited program.
$34.95 Hourly high wage in the Bay Area as a Hospital Pharmacy Technician
What can you do with a degree or certificate in Pharmacy Technology?
- Retail pharmacies
- Hospitals
- Health insurance companies
- Veterinary clinics
Degree & Program Types
View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.
For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.
Associate in Science Degree
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Certificate of Achievement |
Students who complete the program in a satisfactory manner will be awarded a Certificate of Program Completion and are qualified to apply to the California State Board of Pharmacy for registration as a pharmacy technician.
Graduates will also be eligible to take the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification
Exam) and become a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
A two-year expanded Pharmacy Technician Program is also available, which includes general education.
This two-year course sequence leads to an Associate in Science Degree in Pharmacy Technician, and offers the student the ability to transfer to a four-year program or to enter the job market with additional technical and theoretical background.
Career Opportunities
As a registered pharmacy technician in California, you can — under the supervision of a registered pharmacist — perform routine tasks related to receiving, dispensing, distribution, control, maintenance, compounding, manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of pharmaceutical products.
Typical tasks include:
- Transcribing physicians orders/prescriptions
- Preliminary review of new orders/prescriptions
- Filling prescriptions and medications orders
- Preparing unit dose and multi-dose forms
- Preparing and labeling sterile solutions using aseptic technique
- Data entry and label generation
- Maintenance of inventory and stock
- Maintenance of pharmacy work areas
Learn More!
If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, learn more about our program at Foothill.
Apply for Pharmacy Technician Program
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Program: Pharmacy Technician Degree/Cert: AS/Yes Length: 9 months Start/End: Sept/June FT/PT: FT Application Due: June 1, 2024 or until filled. Please contact Program Director after due date. Prerequisites: Yes — See application Approx. Cost of Program: $1,400 National Lic./Cert.: Yes State Lic.Cert.: Yes Accreditation: The program is an ASHP/ACPE nationally accredited program. Est. Annual Salary: $30,000-$40,000 |
Questions?
We're Here to Help!
Health Sciences and Horticulture Career Support
650.949.7643
Building 5200
| Angela Su, R.Ph. Program Director Phone: 650.949.6121 suangela@foothill.edu |
| Nancy Cheung, MPA, Division Dean cheungnancy@fhda.edu |
| Health Science & Horticulture Division |