1. How can I find my state's requirements for certification?
The Internet is a great resource. All states currently have a site with board of pharmacy information. You can access this information directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website at www.ptcb.org. If you cannot access this information via the Internet, you can always call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations.
2. What if my State requires more than what is offered in this program?
Most states still offer employment prior to certification. This often comes with the stipulation that certification is acquired within a period of time (usually a year). During this period you will be considered unlicensed personnel, clerks, or aides.
On-the-job training or externships are a great way to obtain the increasing number of hours required. If your goal is to work in a hospital pharmacy, finding that job while you are still a student will help you reach your employment requirements (many states require a minimum number of hours worked before registration/certification with the board can occur), along with the educational clinical requirements.
3. How will the Clinical Rotations or Externship be established?
GES has established a national contract with Walgreens for Pharmacy Technician externships. Walgreens externships are based on availibility. GES will work with the student to set up Walgreens externships for 20-40 hours. If the student does not participate in the Walgreens externship, the student initiates clinical rotations. You know best what facilities are in your area. Once a hospital and/or retail store has been found, and contact has been made, the student then notifies the instructor. Once the instructor has the name, contact, and phone number of the institution the requirements can be reviewed to ensure the student will get the necessary training to complete their program. We cannot guarantee the time frame in which your clinical rotations will be established. If you are currently working in a pharmacy setting, that will qualify. With the increase in confidentiality and privacy regulations and liability issues, in relation to health information, clinical rotations could become difficult to accomplish. In the event that rotations cannot be found, a research project for each area will be assigned.
4. Can I register for courses if I live outside the United States?
Yes you can! The International zip code locator will determine which school is nearest you. Simply click here to choose your country, and select the course you wish to take.
5. How do I register?
Every student must register with a university or college that offers our courses. GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. You must locate a school and contact them for registration information.
6. How much do the courses cost?
Our partner colleges set the prices for the courses they offer. You must locate a school for cost and registration information.
7. Why do I have to locate a school?
GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. GES is the content developer for the course, but the schools actually offer the courses and provide the certificates upon completion.
8. Do I ever have go to the school I register with?
Not in most cases. Most of our partner schools offer telephone or online registration. All of our courses are delivered entirely online, so you never have to go to a class or travel to the school. Locate a school and contact them for more registration options.
9. What if there is not a school in my area that offers the course I want to take?
You can register with the school that is closest to your zip code (even if it is far away). Since GES courses are online, you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. Locate a school for more registration information.
10. How long does it take to complete a course?
All of our courses are self-paced and open enrollment. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. When you register for a course, you are given 180 days (6 months) to complete the course. If you need more time, extensions are available.
11. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All materials are included. The cost of materials is covered by your tuition. GES ships all materials via UPS ground service upon registration.
12. Can I get financial aid?
GES courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Locate a school for more information on this.
- GES also provides a loan opportunity for students. Simply go to www.collegeloanapplication.com to apply for an easier qualifying loan. Click here for more information on this loan program.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school with which you registered. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.
14. Am I guaranteed a job?
GES courses will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the course. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
15. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.
16. Can this course be taken on a Mac?
Yes.
17. How can I get more information on the course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button below). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the “Ask a question” button below. You may also call us at 1-866-441-5454. We will answer your questions promptly.
18. When can I start the course?
Our courses are all open enrollment. You can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Locate a school for registration information.
Pharmacy Technician
GES 117 -- 240 hours
FAQs
- GES also provides a loan opportunity for students. Simply go to www.collegeloanapplication.com to apply for an easier qualifying loan. Click here for more information on this loan program.
1. How can I find my state's requirements for certification?
The Internet is a great resource. All states currently have a site with board of pharmacy information. You can access this information directly from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) website at www.ptcb.org. If you cannot access this information via the Internet, you can always call the state board and ask for the current technician regulations.
2. What if my State requires more than what is offered in this program?
Most states still offer employment prior to certification. This often comes with the stipulation that certification is acquired within a period of time (usually a year). During this period you will be considered unlicensed personnel, clerks, or aides.
On-the-job training or externships are a great way to obtain the increasing number of hours required. If your goal is to work in a hospital pharmacy, finding that job while you are still a student will help you reach your employment requirements (many states require a minimum number of hours worked before registration/certification with the board can occur), along with the educational clinical requirements.
3. How will the Clinical Rotations or Externship be established?
GES has established a national contract with Walgreens for Pharmacy Technician externships. Walgreens externships are based on availibility. GES will work with the student to set up Walgreens externships for 20-40 hours. If the student does not participate in the Walgreens externship, the student initiates clinical rotations. You know best what facilities are in your area. Once a hospital and/or retail store has been found, and contact has been made, the student then notifies the instructor. Once the instructor has the name, contact, and phone number of the institution the requirements can be reviewed to ensure the student will get the necessary training to complete their program. We cannot guarantee the time frame in which your clinical rotations will be established. If you are currently working in a pharmacy setting, that will qualify. With the increase in confidentiality and privacy regulations and liability issues, in relation to health information, clinical rotations could become difficult to accomplish. In the event that rotations cannot be found, a research project for each area will be assigned.
4. Can I register for courses if I live outside the United States?
Yes you can! The International zip code locator will determine which school is nearest you. Simply click here to choose your country, and select the course you wish to take.
5. How do I register?
Every student must register with a university or college that offers our courses. GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. You must locate a school and contact them for registration information.
6. How much do the courses cost?
Our partner colleges set the prices for the courses they offer. You must locate a school for cost and registration information.
7. Why do I have to locate a school?
GES does not offer courses directly to the public. We work in partnership with colleges and universities nationwide. GES is the content developer for the course, but the schools actually offer the courses and provide the certificates upon completion.
8. Do I ever have go to the school I register with?
Not in most cases. Most of our partner schools offer telephone or online registration. All of our courses are delivered entirely online, so you never have to go to a class or travel to the school. Locate a school and contact them for more registration options.
9. What if there is not a school in my area that offers the course I want to take?
You can register with the school that is closest to your zip code (even if it is far away). Since GES courses are online, you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. Locate a school for more registration information.
10. How long does it take to complete a course?
All of our courses are self-paced and open enrollment. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. When you register for a course, you are given 180 days (6 months) to complete the course. If you need more time, extensions are available.
11. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All materials are included. The cost of materials is covered by your tuition. GES ships all materials via UPS ground service upon registration.
12. Can I get financial aid?
GES courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Locate a school for more information on this.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school with which you registered. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.
14. Am I guaranteed a job?
GES courses will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the course. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
15. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.
16. Can this course be taken on a Mac?
Yes.
17. How can I get more information on the course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button below). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the “Ask a question” button below. You may also call us at 1-866-441-5454. We will answer your questions promptly.
18. When can I start the course?
Our courses are all open enrollment. You can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Locate a school for registration information.
