Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon

Oregon Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

In the state of Oregon, individuals who wish to work as pharmacy technicians must register and obtain a license with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.  However before applying for a license a technician must have a high school diploma or GED, and have passed a national certification exam.

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy allows technicians to take the certification exam offered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the exam offered by the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).

The Oregon license for Pharmacy Technicians expires on September 30 each year, so depending on when you apply for your first license, it may not be valid for a full year.

Training and Schools for Oregon Pharmacy Technicians

The only school in Oregon that offers a Pharmacy Technician training program that is accredited by the ASHP is Chemeketa Community College:

Chemeketa Community College – Salem Campus
4000 Lancaster Dr., NE
PO Box 14007
Salem, OR 97309-7070
Phone: (503) 365-4696

The cost of the program including tuition, fees and books is approximately $6,000.
CCC offers a one year Pharmacy Technician Certificate program and a two year AAS degree in Pharmacy Management.  Both Pharmacy Technician programs include a 198 hour externship.  For further information contact: Cheryl J Buckholz, Ph.D.  (cbuckhol@chemeketa.edu)

What Do Pharmacy Technicians Earn in Oregon?

Pharmacy Technician wages in Oregon for 2010 averaged about $16.52 per hour or $34,400 annually, which is above the national average of $13.65 hourly or $28,400 per year.  The salary range for Pharmacy technician jobs in Oregon starts at a low of about $12.28 per hour and reaches a high of about $20.86 per hour.  When starting a new job the initial salary offer you receive will be influenced by your previous training and/or work experience, certification status, the job description and whether you’ll be working in a retail or institutional pharmacy.
(Source for wage information: Bureau of Labor & Statistics and Oregon Occupational Information Center)

Finding a Pharmacy Technician Job in Oregon

Many people find that Indeed.com is always a good source for locating available Pharmacy technician jobs in Oregon.  You can set up a free profile on Indeed and they will send you email alerts when Pharmacy technician jobs are posted by local employers in Oregon.