Frequently asked questions

How long is the program?

Designed as a 400 hour course, made up of online didactic coursework, hands-on simulation skills training, and a 120 hour externship in a licensed, working pharmacy.

How does the Recruitment pathway work?

You have an opening and no candidate, and we act as your recruiter. You pay a recruitment fee, and from there we source the technician and put them through our training program. Part of that program is a 120 hour externship in your pharmacy, so they gain real experience in the environment they would be working in and both sides get a clear sense of the fit. They finish their remaining hours with us, and then you decide whether to hire.

How is the Onboarding pathway different?

With Onboarding, you have already hired the technician. You pay for the training directly, and we put your new hire through the same standardized program before they start working in your pharmacy. Onboarding can also be customized to your specific workflow.

What does it cost?

Pricing depends on scope: which pathway you need, how many technicians, and your pharmacy setting. Tell us what you are trying to solve and we will put a number to it.

What does the externship ask of our pharmacy?

A place to learn and a preceptor to oversee them. The technician spends 120 hours on site applying what they have already practiced in coursework and simulation. We stay involved throughout with competency assessments and progress reporting, so you are not left to figure out whether they are ready on your own.

Do you train for hospital and community settings?

Both. Professional skills stay consistent across every setting: professionalism, patient-centered thinking, teamwork, communication, and de-escalation. Technical skills are setting specific. Community pharmacy covers data entry, insurance and prior authorizations, dispensing, production, and patient interaction. Hospital and health-system work covers sterile compounding, IV preparation, automation systems, medication safety, and inpatient workflow.

Can the training be customized to our pharmacy?

Yes. Every partnership starts with a consultation to understand your goals, workflow, and expectations. The curriculum is then aligned to your environment and your current standards, and you receive competency assessments and progress reporting throughout.

I am a technician. Can I enroll and pay for the training myself?

Not at this time. Pharmacy Essentials is not a school, and the program is built around employers rather than individual enrollment.

We would still like to hear from you. See how our recruitment works and share your information so we can reach out as openings come up.

Does the program lead to national certification?

Yes. Pharmacy Essentials is a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program, and our curriculum is built to the ASHP/ACPE standards for pharmacy technician education and training. Technicians who complete the program can qualify to sit for the PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) exam. If your pharmacy is also partnered with NHA, your technicians can qualify for NHA’s ExCPT exam as part of your employer sponsorship. We’ll walk you through eligibility for either route.

Where do you operate?

Pharmacy Essentials is based in North Carolina. The partnership model is built to scale, whether you operate a single location or a larger pharmacy network. Tell us where you are and we will work out the details to support your locations.