Launch Your Pharmacy Career with Walgreens: The Pharmacy Technician Training Program
Walgreens, a leading community pharmacy chain with thousands of retail stores across North America, offers a comprehensive Pharmacy Technician Training Program – a paid “earn while you learn” program.
Pharmacy Technician Training Program Overview
At its heart, the Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Training Program enables trainees to:
Obtain a nationally recognized Certification through the PTCB or NHA.
Gain substantial hands-on experience in a retail pharmacy environment under pharmacist supervision.
Learn to deliver compassionate, patient-focused service while performing core technical tasks
As an apprenticeship recognized by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Department of Labor, the program follows an accredited pathway that prepares participants for certification and establishes a foundation for long-term career
Earn‑While‑You‑Learn Structure
One of the program's greatest appeals is its paid learning format:
Trainees take part in structured computer-based training modules alongside on‑the‑job practice in store settings.
Wages begin immediately, with opportunities for pay raises upon successful certification .
Accreditation & Exam Preparation
The program provides comprehensive assistance to prepare candidates for certification:
Funded training for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the ExCPT exam.
Reviews and study materials in partnership with Walgreens University.
A remarkable PTCE pass rate of 81%, surpassing the national average by 11% .
Pharmacy Technician Program Curriculum & Credit
The curriculum follows a scientifically rigorous structure:
Approximately 90 hours of coursework, blended with a minimum of 600 hours’ on-the-job training over roughly 15 weeks
Topics range from pharmacology, medication dispensing, pharmacy law, calculations, to customer interaction, inventory control, and safety protocols .
Coursework is independently accredited by the American Council on Education (ACE) for up to 8 college credits, with modules spanning introductory and advanced pharmacy functions .
Actual employee feedback
Feedback from the industry and employees highlights the effectiveness of the program:
Walgreens technicians believe their skills are essential to expanding pharmacy services (e.g., vaccine delivery, telehealth) after the pandemic, which significantly reduces the burden on pharmacists.
Nichole Cover, Director of Pharmacy Affairs at Walgreens, said:
“Walgreens helps people become professional technicians with a career path… our technicians have a bright future.”
One Reddit user affirmed:
“Walgreens will train you and pay for your pharmacy technician license. No experience required… they will also pay for the hourly classes and exams.”
How to Get Started
Apply to Walgreens: Look for in-store Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship roles. No prior experience required .
Begin training: Eligible candidates are onboarded via Walgreens University, with flexible training schedules.
Complete coursework & OJT: Finish the computer modules and clock the required training hours.
Pass the exam: Walgreens supports test prep and pays for your certification exam.
Launch your career: Earn salary increases, assume advanced responsibilities, and maintain certification with Walgreens’ support.