Pharmacy Technology Basic Option

Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted) Pharmacy Technology · Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Program Code: SAC.PHARB.CA

Program Control Number: 18780

The Basic Certificate option prepares students for entry-level employment as pharmacy technicians in the retail pharmacy sector. By completing the Basic Certificate option, students will meet the minimum academic training requirements for licensing as specified by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Students who intend to complete only the Basic Certificate option will be placed for a minimum of 120 hours of externship in an outpatient (drug store or ambulatory care clinic) pharmacy site to gain workplace experience. Background checks, health screenings, and/or drug testing will be required prior to lab classes. Any required investigations are done at the student’s expense. Students are expected to understand and agree to abide by the Program Guidelines, which include technician standards and essential functions for pharmacy technicians.

The Basic Certificate option is not accredited by the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (ASHP). Students who earn the Basic Certificate and then continue through the Advanced Certificate will be designated as having completed an ASHP-accredited program. Students must complete each required course with a grade of “C” or better (Externship with a grade of “P”) to qualify for the Basic Certificate.

All courses are required to be completed within a 3-year period to be eligible for Pharmacy Technology program enrollment and certificate/degree.

Learning Outcome(s):

  1. Construct an effectiveresume for Pharmacy Technician job interviews.
  2. Apply forlicensing as a Pharmacy Technician withthe California Board of Pharmacy in a timely manner.
  3. Apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam.
CourseTitleUnits
Required Courses:16.5-20.5
PHAR 048Introduction to Pharmacy Technology2
PHAR 055Pharmacy Calculations2
PHAR 051Body Systems I3.5
PHAR 052Body Systems II3.5
PHAR 056Pharmacy Operations4.5
PHAR 072APharmacy Technology Externship Outpatient0.5-2
Recommended electives0
BIOL 139Health Microbiology4
CHEM 210General, Organic and Biochemistry5
CMPR 100The Computer and Society3
PHAR 056LPharmacy Technology Skills Lab0.5-1
Total16.5-20.5

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