Program Overview
CNEI offers education and training to become a Licensed Pharmacy Technician. Our program will prepare students to meet the standards and requirements for pharmacy technician licensing.
The Pharmacy Technician program consists of 6 in classroom lecture levels and 1 externship rotation. The externship allows students to gain real life work experience in the pharmacy environment.

Job Summary
Pharmacy techs work under the direction and supervision of a licensed pharmacist. The Pharmacy Tech assists the pharmacist in dispensing prescription medication and prescription drugs to patients. They are responsible for accurately measuring and mixing medications.
Pharmacy Techs carry out critical tasks in the pharmacy such as:
- Keeping inventories
- Assist patients and customers
- Packaging and labeling
- Collecting data from patients
- Answering telephone calls
- Verifying insurance
Pharmacy Techs work in pharmacies located in grocery stores, hospital settings, retail pharmacies, community pharmacies, health care facilities, and other locations.
Time to Complete:
36 Weeks 780 Hours
Semester Units:
35
Externship:
1
Lecture Levels:
6
Format:
In-Person
Start Dates/Class times:
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Program Details
Program Objective
This program is designed to prepare students for an entry-level pharmacy technician positions for both institutional and community pharmacy settings. A pharmacy technician, under the supervision of pharmacists, assist in the day-to-day operations to prepare and provide medications to patients and with related tasks in managing pharmacy clinical and business operations.
Upon graduation, graduates are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination.

Program Description
The program consists of six course levels of classroom theory and laboratory instruction totaling 540 hours and 240 hours of externship for a total of 780 hours.
Students will learn theoretical and practical skills to meet eligibility requirements for certification examination upon graduation. Students start at the beginning of level I through VI. Students must complete all levels to be eligible for placement on an externship rotation. Graduates receive a certificate upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
Requirements
To become eligible to take the pharmacy technician licensing exam students must meet the below requirement:
- High school diploma or equivalent educational diploma (e.g., a GED or foreign diploma)
- Complete the Pharmacy Technician Training requirements
Students Must Complete:
- Lecture Levels I – VI (540 Hours)
- Externship Level VII (240 Hours)
Career Outcome & More Information
Pharmacy Technicians in California
The data below shows the job market for Pharmacy Technicians for the State of California.
CNEI cannot guarantee employment, salary levels, or career advancement. The data is not
specific to CNEI students or graduates.
1. Salary Range
$35-54K
25th-75th percentile from BLS
2. Job Outlook
4% Increase
Average Growth Rate from 2019 - 2029
- Salary ranges reflect the 25th and 75th percentile for the occupation in California, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS). The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of CNEI. Actual outcomes vary based on
multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual.
CNEI does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement. - Job Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm#tab-6