— Virginia pharmacy technician hiring just got easier

Board-approved training for Virginia pharmacy employers

Virginia now allows you to easily hire pharmacy technicians with no experience. Enroll your new hires in our fully online, Virginia-approved training program to meet trainee license requirements and get them working in just a few days.

3-5 days

To get your new hire working
— Virginia approved and built for busy pharmacies

What Virginia’s new rules mean for pharmacy employers

Effective July 1, 2025, the Virginia Board of Pharmacy allows employers to easily hire pharmacy technician trainees with no experience—as long as they’re enrolled in a Board-approved training program.

That’s where we come in.

Pharmacy Technician Academy is a fully online, Virginia-approved and PTCB-recognized training provider. We give Virginia pharmacies a fast, affordable, and compliant way to train new hires without sending them to a classroom.
Enroll your new employee, submit their trainee license application, and they can be working in your pharmacy within 3–5 business days.

This change levels the playing field for independent pharmacies, helping you compete with big chains and expand your hiring pool.
Per the 2025 Code of Virginia Chapter 168 (§ 54.1-2522.1), pharmacy technician trainees may begin work once enrolled in a PTCB Board-approved program and licensed as trainees.
— Simple steps to hire and train a Virginia pharmacy technician

Hire a pharmacy technician in Virginia in 3 easy steps

With Virginia’s new rules, hiring and training pharmacy technicians is faster and easier than ever. Instead of requiring prior certification or in-person education, individuals brand new to pharmacy can now begin working after enrolling in a Board-approved training program. Our fully online course is Virginia-approved and built to help pharmacies stay compliant while streamlining onboarding from day one.

Find a great candidate

Virginia no longer requires prior experience or certification to begin working in a pharmacy. You can now hire anyone with potential—even those new to pharmacy. This opens up a much wider talent pool and lets you focus on hiring the right person, not just the right résumé.

Enroll them in our program

Once you’ve hired someone, enroll them in our Virginia-approved, fully online training program. After enrollment, submit their pharmacy technician trainee license application to the Board of Pharmacy. Most applications are approved in 3–5 business days, allowing your new hire to start quickly.

Start working immediately

Once their trainee license is approved, your new hire can legally perform all pharmacy technician duties. While you train them on your pharmacy’s workflow, our program covers federal law, calculations, top 200 drugs, and more. You get flexibility, compliance, and a technician who contributes from day one.
— Virginia-approved. PTCB-recognized. Ready to go.

What’s included in the training program

Our online program covers the core knowledge every pharmacy technician needs to succeed—on the job and on the PTCB exam. It’s designed to complement your in-house training while meeting Virginia’s regulatory requirements.

Medications

We teach the most commonly prescribed drugs—brand and generic names, classifications, uses, interactions, and common side effects.

Pharmacy operations

Covers everything from prescription processing and billing to inventory management, safety, labeling, and daily technician responsibilities.

Pharmacy law & regulations

Includes HIPAA, federal pharmacy law, controlled substances, and best practices to ensure legal and ethical pharmacy operations.

Certification exam prep

Throughout the course, students prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) with study guides, quizzes, and practice tests.

Fully online and self-paced

Trainees can complete the program at home or during downtime at your pharmacy. They can log in anytime, from any device—no travel or classroom time required.

Instructor support & resources

Trainees can contact instructors with questions as they move through the course. Built-in resources like flashcards, quizzes, and progress tracking help reinforce learning and keep them on pace.
— Serving employers across Virginia

Who we work with

We partner with pharmacies and healthcare organizations of all sizes to provide flexible, Board-approved training solutions for pharmacy technician onboarding.
  • Independent retail pharmacies
  • Regional and grocery chains
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Hospital and clinic pharmacies
  • Career centers or workforce development programs

Statewide

Serving pharmacies across every corner of Virginia
“Pharmacy Technician Academy made it simple for us to bring in new hires and get them working fast. The online format is a huge plus, and knowing it’s Virginia approved gives us peace of mind. We’ve used it to train several new techs with no prior experience, and it’s been smooth every time. Highly recommend it to any busy pharmacy.”

David R.

Pharmacy Manager, Richmond, VA

— Pharmacy Technician Academy is trusted by employers across Virginia

Why Virginia pharmacies choose our program

Our fully online, PTCB-recognized training program helps you hire, train, and certify pharmacy technicians without disrupting your pharmacy's workflow. Whether you run a single independent pharmacy or manage a multi-location chain, we make compliance simple, flexible, and scalable.

Fully online and
pharmacy-friendly

Trainees can complete the program from home or during downtime at your pharmacy—no classroom time, no travel, and no scheduling conflicts.

Flexible enrollment for individuals & teams

Enroll individual technicians anytime, or contact us for group pricing and an administrative dashboard to track employee progress.

Quick hiring with no experience needed

Enroll your new hire, apply for their trainee license, and they can begin working in just 3–5 days.

Match the training power of big chains

Level the playing field. Independent pharmacies can now hire, train, and certify new technicians just as efficiently as large national chains—without the overhead.
— Get started in just a few clicks

Ready to train your next technician?

Whether you’re onboarding one technician or building a larger team, Pharmacy Technician Academy gives you a simple, flexible way to meet Virginia’s training requirements. Choose the option that fits your pharmacy’s needs and get started today.

Enroll an individual technician

Let’s get your new hire working. Our Board-approved, fully online course helps them meet trainee license requirements and prepares them for certification—while you train them on your workflow.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

Request group pricing and dashboard access

Managing a team? We offer bulk enrollment, custom pricing, and an employer dashboard to track trainee progress and manage compliance across your pharmacy.

Frequently asked questions

Does this program meet Virginia Board of Pharmacy requirements?

Yes. Our program is PTCB-recognized and meets the training requirements outlined in the July 1, 2025 Virginia rule change. It also prepares students for national certification through the PTCB.

How soon can my new hire start working?

Once your new hire is enrolled in our training program, you can submit their pharmacy technician trainee license application to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Approvals typically take 3–5 business days. Once approved, they can begin working immediately.

How long does the training take to complete?

The course is fully self-paced and divided into 16 core modules. Most students complete the program in 2 to 4 months while working part-time or full-time, typically by completing 1 to 2 modules per week. If you’re using our employer dashboard, you’ll be able to monitor each trainee’s progress as they move through the course.

Does my new hire need pharmacy experience or certification?

No. Under the new Virginia regulations, you can hire someone as a pharmacy technician trainee even if they have no prior experience—provided they’re enrolled in an approved training program. Our course will teach them the fundamentals and prepare them for PTCB certification, while they gain hands-on experience at your pharmacy.

What’s the difference between a pharmacy technician trainee and a pharmacy technician?

In Virginia, there is no difference in the tasks or responsibilities you can delegate to a pharmacy technician trainee compared to a fully registered pharmacy technician. A trainee license allows the individual to perform all the same duties under pharmacist supervision. The trainee license is valid for up to two years. Once the trainee completes our Board-approved training program and passes the PTCB certification exam, they’ll be eligible to register as a full pharmacy technician with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
— Your next great technician starts here

Start building your pharmacy team today

Whether you’re hiring one technician or a full team,
Pharmacy Technician Academy gives you the tools to train with confidence and get your new hires working quickly.
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Explore more 
Virginia pharmacy technician resources

Browse our complete library of Virginia-specific resources, from licensing and salary data to training options for individual students and employers.