Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short, cheap and regulated. You can be working within a year of finishing high school.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   A diploma or equivalency is the baseline for registration in most states.

2. 2

   Register with your state board

   Weeks

   Many states, Texas among them, have a technician trainee registration you hold while you learn, including fingerprinting and a criminal history check.

3. 3

   Training

   6 to 12 months

   Either a recognized education program of a few months to a year, or at least 500 hours of supervised work experience on the job.

4. 4

   Pass the certification exam

   One sitting

   90 multiple choice questions in about two hours, covering medications, law, sterile and nonsterile compounding, and dispensing.

5. 5

   Full registration and work

   Year 1 to 2

   Convert to a full technician registration with your state board and renew it on schedule.