TOP 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How do I get started? What are the pre-requisites for the program?
- There is no separate admission procedure for the Pharmacy Technology program. Interested students should first apply for admission to Santa Ana College.
- SAC applicant eligibility:
18 years of age or older, OR
graduate from high school, OR
obtained a GED
Grade Point Average (GPA): 2.0 (C grade average or equivalent)
- Once an applicants application has been processed, students will be assigned a registration date. On their registration date, students can enroll in the individual Pharmacy Technology classes that they wish to take.
- To enroll in the Pharmacy Technology program, students are not required to take any entrance examinations or complete any prerequisite courses.
- Fluency in English (written and verbal) and basic Math skills are necessary for successful program completion.
- Complete information on prerequisites
- Apply for Admission
- Beginning students should enroll in one or more of the following entry level courses during the first semester:
*Either PHAR 051 or PHAR 052 may be taken first
2. How soon can I start the program?
- Students may begin the Pharmacy Technology program in either the Fall semester (late August) or the Spring semester (early February).
- Hybrid classes (combined on-line and on-campus) are also offered in the Spring and Fall semesters.
- Entry-level courses are also offered during the Summer session.
- (Note that summer classes cover material very quickly!)
3. What is the total cost by the time I'm done?
- Community college tuition for in-state residents is $46 per unit
- Basic Certificate option is approximately $759.00
- Advanced Certificate options is approximately $1104.00
- A.S. Degree is $1288.00
- Nonresident tuition is $412.00 per unit (this includes capital outlay fee of $49.00 and tuition of $363.00)
- Nonresident tuition is required of all out-of-state and international students
- Basic Certificate option is approximately $6,798
- Advanced Certificate options is approximately $9,888
- A.S. Degree is approximatley $11,536
- All fees and tuition are subject to change by the state legislature, or Community College Board of Governors, or District Board of Trustees.
Additional costs - Mandatory Health Fee:
- Fall & Spring: $23.00
- Intersession & Summer: $20.00
- Health Fee Exemptions (Educational Code 76355)
- Any student who depends exclusively upon prayer for healing in accordance with the teaching of a bona fide religious sect, denomination, or organization, provided that the student presents documentary evidence of an affiliation with such a bona fide religious sect, denomination or organization.
- Student Representation Fee: $2.00 /per semester (optional)
- Students who do not wish to pay this fee may request a prompt refund by calling 714-564-6430, email cashier@sac.edu or by visiting the Cashier's Office (VL-205B-Student Business Office). Refunds must be requested before your drop for non-payment date.
- Material Fee (Textbooks and Supplies)
- Textbooks, supplies and equipment must be purchased by the student.
- Special material fees required for certain courses are indicated in the class schedule.
- Parking Fee
- Intersession= Free
- Per semester (Fall or Spring) = $30.00
- Per Summer session = $10.00
- Per day (using pay parking dispenser) = $2.00
- Transporation Fee
- Spring and Fall semesters only
- $6.75 for Full Time students (12+ units)
- $5.75 for Part Time students (5-11 units)
- Fees are charged to all students whether or not they choose to use the transportation discount service (OCTA ride program)
- Student Life and Leadership Fee** (Optional)
- The $10.00 Student Life and Leadership Fee allows students to become a member of the Associated Students of Santa Ana College.
- Membership provides access to wide variety of discounts, services, and activities.
- Students who do not wish to pay this fee may request a prompt refund by calling 714-564-6430, email cashier@sac.edu or by visiting the Cashier's Office (VL-205B-Student Business Office). Refunds must be requested before your drop for non-payment date.
For further information regarding enrollment and costs see:
Fees and Refunds/ Admissions & Records
4. Are the courses transferable to another program? Can I transfer other courses to the program?
- No. This is a high quality, ASHP–accredited, unique educational program that will prepare the students for the work force using a tiered approach. Successful completion of the entry-level classes will prepare the students for the lab (application-level) classes, which will then prepare the students for externships at affiliated pharmacies. With experience and confidence gained from externship, the students are competent to work.
5. Do you help students find jobs at program completion? What are the exam pass rate and job placement rate?
- We have a strong network of affiliation with local hospital pharmacies and pharmacy chains. We frequently post job openings to alert students to various job opportunities.
Additional information on job placement and salary
- The PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) exam is a private non-governmental exam that students can take, and use successful results to apply for their licenses.
- Licensure pass rate for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam in 2017 is 88% (22/25) compared to national average of 58%.
- The department's job rate for the most recent and attainable academic year (Fall 2011, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012) is 78% (25/32). Total graduates of 32 do not include 4 who moved out of state or are international students. The rate for 2010 was 68%.
- All graduates are required to apply for their licenses. Thus, license attainment rate is 100%.
6. Do you accept international students?
- Yes. However, fluency in English is essential for successful program completion.
- International students should click here for more information regarding SAC's International Student Program.
7. How long does it take to complete the program?
- Depending on student time commitments (families, work, etc), the student can choose to take the classes on a part-time or full time basis.
- The Basic Certificate can be earned in approximately one year.
- Though courses can be taken one at a time, it is recommended that students with limited availability start the program with PHAR 048: Introduction to Pharmacy Technology and PHAR 055 Pharmacy Calculations.
8. Are classes available in the evening, day time, on-line?
- Daytime and evening classes have been made available during the Fall and Spring (dependant on student demand).
- Summer classes have typically been offered in the evenings only.
- Hybrid classes (combined on-line and on-campus training) are offered during the Fall and the Spring.
- Hybrid classes typically meet on campus every other week, using on-line training during the alternate weeks.
- Entry level classes typically meet once a week for 16 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters.
- During the summer, the entry-level classes are scheduled twice each week for eight weeks.
9. What is the time commitment once enrolled in the program?
- In general, you should allow a minimum of two hours of out-of-class studying time for each unit of class credit.
- For example, a 1 unit lecture course requires 16 hours of instruction and 32 hours of outside studying.
- Be sure to allow enough study time for the courses you plan to enroll in!
10. How do I get a license?
- The California State Board of Pharmacy has established procedures for the licensing of pharmacy technicians. To work as a pharmacy technician in the state of California, you must have a current pharmacy technician license.
- California does NOT have an examination process for pharmacy technicians. In order to obtain a pharmacy technician license, students must meet the qualification requirements of the California State Board of Pharmacy.
- Licensing is not required for persons working as pharmacy clerks or pharmacy assistants.
- You can apply for a pharmacy technician license with the California State Board of Pharmacy if:
- You are at least 18 years of age, and
- You have a high school diploma or GED, and
- You have an official high school or college transcript and
- You have a valid Social Security number, and
- You have completed a Self-Query Report with the National Practitioner Data Bank Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (NPDB-HIPDB) dated no earlier than 60 days of the date of application and
- You pass a criminal background check (done with Live Scan fingerprints), and
- You meet at least one of the following criteria :
- Have completed a course of training specified by the California Board of Pharmacy in section 1793.6 of State Board of Pharmacy Rules and Regulations.
- This requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing any of the three training options offered at Santa Ana College.
- SAC Basic Certificate Option
- SAC Advanced Certificate Option
- SAC Associates Degree Option
- Licensure process also requires the candidate to answer questions regarding current or past drug/alcohol abuse, mental disorders, convictions of law violations, etc.
- The Board of Pharmacy, in its duty to protect public health and safety, can deny a license to any person deemed to be unfit to practice as a pharmacy technician.
- Certified technicians (CPhT's) are also qualified to apply for the California State Board license.
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (not related to the Board of Pharmacy) administers the national board exam for pharmacy technicians who wished to become certified.
More information on the certification process
- To ensure the safety of the public (patients), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists strongly recommends BOTH the completion of a formal training program and completion of the certification process for pharmacy technicians. Note that most employers will only consider candidates who have completed a formal training program.
Please note the following letter from the California Board of Pharmacy dated 2/10/16:"Dear Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
The California State Board of Pharmacy (board) requests that you provide prospective students with information regarding criminal history reviews prior to enrolling a student in a Pharmacy Technician training program.
Listed below are types of criminal convictions that
may result in the denial of a Pharmacy Technician application. This list is not all-inclusive, but it does provide some of the most frequent violations the board reviews. Providing this information to prospective students prior to enrollment may help an individual make an educated decision as to whether or not they may have difficulty obtaining a license, and thus a career, as a Pharmacy Technician. License denials are frequently based on convictions for:
- Driving Under the Influence (drugs or alcohol)
- Possession of illegal drugs, or prescription drugs without a prescription
- Possession or sale of illegal drugs or prescriptions drugs
- Theft (identify, fraud, etc.)
- Multiple arrests
There is nothing in pharmacy law that
requires the board to deny a license based on a specific conviction. That is, nothing is automatic. The board reviews each incident on a case-by-case basis. Likewise, a determination regarding an applicant's approval for licensure cannot be made prior to the submission of an application. The board believes that providing prospective students with this information will help them decide whether or not they are likely to obtain a Pharmacy Technician license prior to enrollment in a Pharmacy Technician training program.
Once the board determines that there may be a reason to deny a license, the board will consider evidence of rehabilitation (mitigation) using the following criteria (Title 16, California Code of Regulations section 1769):
- The nature and severity of the crime
- Total criminal record
- The time that has elapsed since the commission of the act(s) or offense(s)
- Whether the applicant has complied with all terms and conditions of parole, probation, restitution, or any other requirements or sanctions lawfully imposed against the applicant
- Additional evidence, if any, submitted by the applicant
The board reviews all available evidence (arrest report, court documents, applicant's explanation, etc.) and makes a determination based on the Board's primary mandate – protection of the public. An applicant that provides arrest documents, court documents and a written explanation with his or her application will speed the review process. If those items are not included with an application, the board will generally send a letter to the applicant requesting the missing documents, which increases the review time.
Please share this information with your prospective and current students. It is important the Pharmacy Technician training programs are communicating all aspects of the licensure requirements to students about the ability to obtain licensure, so that students can make informed decisions.
Respectfully,
California State Board of Pharmacy"
- Also note that the Pharmacy Technology Department holds periodic PROGRAM INFORMATION MEETINGS for persons interested in attending the program. Refer to home page for a list of meeting dates.
