Certified Pharmacy Technician Learning Program

Pharmacy Technicians are at the heart of any pharmacy department. Whether you're looking for a stable long-term healthcare career or taking the first step down the pharmacy pathway, Drake will give you the foundation you need to become certified in this vital role.

Becoming a nationally-recognized, certified pharmacy technician unlocks new potential for job opportunities, career advancement, salary or wage increases, and a variety of specialties and work environments. The new self-paced, asynchronous learning program at Drake will fulfill requirements to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PCTB) exam while preparing learners to confidently enter the workforce.

Drake's Pharmacy Technician program is designed to provide a formal learning structure to those wanting to pursue their certification, including professional development and professional identity formation. Faculty and working pharmacy tech mentors will aid with the job application process and ensure learners have the infrastructure and accountability they need to work through the PCTB textbook content and prepare for the exam.

Real, hands-on experiences will give learners an even deeper understanding of the pharmacy tech curriculum and may even lead to job offerings upon completion of the program. Learners will complete experiential hours with community healthcare partners in the Des Moines Metro. 

Enrollment

What is a pharmacy tech?

Pharmacy technicians are an essential part of the workflow of any pharmacy, whether that be in a community, hospital, or other speciality setting. Their multitude of skills allow pharmacists to focus on higher-level tasks. On a daily basis, techs perform the following important duties among many others:

• Fulfill products or prescriptions
• Place medication orders
• Engage with customers at community pharmacy counters
• Prepare sterile products

Certified pharmacy technicians often enjoy strong job security. Demand for techs, particularly within the state of Iowa, is high. Certified techs can attain additional training and certificates in specialties such as Billing & Reimbursement, Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention, Hazardous Drug Management, Immunization Administration, Medication Therapy Management, and Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation.

Acquiring a pharmacy technician certificate allows you to take further steps within pharmacy. Rankings may vary depending on site, but pharmacists typically oversee pharmacy technicians until they reach manager-level positions.

In 2025, the average salary of a pharmacy technician in Des Moines, Iowa, was $17.71 per hour as compared to an average of $25.55 per hour for a certified pharmacy technician according to Indeed.

About the PTCB Exam

Completion of Drake's recognized learning program will give learners eligibility to sit for the pharmacy technician certification exam. Additional Iowa Board of Pharmacy requirements for obtaining a certification include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or GED, clean criminal record, and registration status as a technician trainee with the Board. More information can be found on the Official State of Iowa Website.