Becoming a pharmacy technician in Idaho allows you to fill a very important role so that patients can receive their medications.
The process is easier than you might think. By knowing what it takes to become a pharmacy technician, you can decide if it’s right for you and start on this career path.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Idaho
In order to become a pharmacy technician in Idaho, you will need to apply for a license through the Idaho Board of Pharmacy.
Before you can get licensed, there are a few requirements:
- Possess good moral character
- Meet the age requirement of being at least 18 years old
- Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check
- Have at least a high school diploma or GED
Once you submit all of the above, you will be issued a pharmacy technician-in-training license.
You won’t be able to get a full license as a Certified Pharmacy Technician until after you have passed the PTCB or NHA national certification exam.
The exam will require you to complete a training program, which can either be a certificate or an associate degree.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Idaho
You’ll find that there are various pharmacy technician schools throughout Idaho where you can get the necessary education.
Explore each school to determine how the classes are offered, what kind of certificate or degree you’ll get, and what the cost of the program will be.
College of Western Idaho
At the College of Western Idaho, you can enroll in the Pharmacy Technician Program where you’ll learn about pharmacology and get
hands-on training.
With full-time study, you can complete your education in four months.
The total cost of the program is $4199, and there are various discounts available, such as for members of the military.
Idaho State University
The College of Pharmacy at Idaho State University offers a few different options for you.
You can seek out a bachelor’s or even doctorate in pharmacology.
To get started, you may want to consider the Pharmacy Technician Certificate, which takes one year as long as you have met your prerequisites.
The one year is comprised of 53 credit hours (including prerequisites) and would cover fall, spring, and summer sessions.
You’ll take seated and online classes while also participating in lab demos and practicum.
The practicum may require you to work in the evenings or on the weekends.
To earn the BTC (Basic Technical Certificate) in one year, the cost would be $10,888 which includes tuition, books, and supplies.
Idaho Medical Academy
At the Idaho Medical Academy, you can earn a certificate where you’ll complete online courses to prepare you to be a pharmacy technician.
The course fee is $2500 and will result in a certificate of completion.
Included in the course fee is the national certification exam fee as well as BLS/CPR healthcare provider training.
Students are also offered various payment plans to help cover the costs.
By the end of the program, which takes six months, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of medical math, prescription processing, pharmacology, and more.
North Idaho College
North Idaho College offers an Intermediate Technical Certificate in Pharmacy Technology.
You’ll need to complete math prerequisites before going into the program.
From there, you would take a fall, spring, and summer semester to earn a total of 35 credits.
You’ll take classes that range from medical terminology to Communication for Health Professionals.
The summer semester will also focus heavily on National Certification Exam prep so that you can sit for the exam with confidence.
The total cost will be around $8300, assuming that you are not taking advantage of the school’s room and board.
The college also offers scholarships and other financial aid.
Lewis-Clark State College
At the Lewiston campus of Lewis-Clark State College, you can study Pharmacy Technology and earn a certificate program.
You’ll take a total of 40 credit hours with courses that focus on preparing sterile products, performing stock procedures, and recalling patient information.
Approximately 82% of students who attend college receive financial aid, and the college is committed to keeping tuition affordable.
Idaho residents will pay approximately $3500 per semester.
There will also be books and lab fees that you will need to cover for the total cost.
Typically, you can complete the program in one year, which means that you’ll finish in three semesters.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Idaho – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Idaho
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| College of Western Idaho | 5500 E Opportunity Dr, Nampa, ID 83687 |
| Idaho State University | 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209 |
| Idaho Medical Academy | 2323 S Vista Ave Suite 203, Boise, ID 83705 |
| North Idaho College | 1000 W Garden Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | 500 8th Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Idaho
Becoming a pharmacy technician can pay well, especially as you gain more experience and education.
According to salary.com, the median pay for pharmacy technicians in Boise, Idaho is $34,700.
Depending on the city you work in, the employer that you work for, and whether you have people reporting to you, it’s possible to earn more.
Those in the 90th percentile are earning a salary of around $42, 340.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Idaho
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Boise | $34,701 |
| Nampa | $34,300 |
| Pocatello | $32,400 |
| Idaho Falls | $33,900 |
| Meridian | $34,700 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $35,500 |
| Twin Falls | $32,300 |
| Lewiston | $36,800 |
| Caldwell | $34,300 |
| Moscow | $35,600 |
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 1,070 | $41,920 | $20.15 | $50,880 | $30,720 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 220 | $44,740 | $21.51 | $56,890 | $35,010 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 270 | $39,680 | $19.08 | $47,630 | $29,410 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 100 | $42,090 | $20.23 | $51,990 | $33,180 |
| Pocatello, ID | 150 | $37,010 | $17.8 | $46,210 | $29,470 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 200 | $38,010 | $18.27 | $49,510 | $29,100 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a certification need to be renewed?
You will need to renew your certification every two years and your license every one year.
What is the certification test look like?
The certification test takes two hours to complete and consists of 110 questions, all of which are multiple choice.
Where are the most opportunities for pharmacy technicians in Idaho?
Some of the more populated cities of Idaho will result in more job opportunities.
You may want to consider finding work in Boise, Caldwell, or Twin Falls to get started.
