Pharmacy Technician Professional Transition Certificate

The Pharmacy Technician Professional Transition Certificate is designed to enhance employability by assisting practicing pharmacy technicians with the transition to meet requirements of regulation. With integration of theory and practical application of knowledge in the College’s newly constructed world class pharmacy lab, the certificate program will focus on knowledge and skills required to prepare technicians for regulation.

Pharmacy technicians in Alberta will be regulated as a profession under the Health Professions Act. As part of licensure, most pharmacy technicians will be required to complete four bridging courses. This program not only includes the bridging courses, but also provides hands-on training in sterile production, as well as pharmacy law, management, and math components. This program will benefit pharmacy technicians without formal academic training, technicians without experience in sterile production, and those who wish to update their knowledge and skills to prepare for regulation. The program’s flexible format and schedule is designed to accommodate the learner’s work schedule.

Bridging courses are Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) eligible except Professional Practice for Pharmacy Technician Bridging. Candidates are permitted to attempt a PLAR challenge only once for each of these courses. For non-bridging courses, some transfer credit may be available on a case-by-case basis.

Courses in Program

In order to obtain a certificate, students must successfully complete the 4 mandatory bridging courses and acquire an additional 13 credits from the electives below.

Students may take the bridging courses without registering for the Pharmacy Technician Professional Transition Certificate program.

Mandatory Bridging Courses (Developed by CON*NECT)
10 credits (available in-class and online)

*PLAR-Challenge Exam eligible

Elective Courses
Choose 13 credits from the following options:

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Admission requirements

• Open admission
• In order to receive credit from the Alberta College of Pharmacists for the bridging courses, applicants must meet eligibility criteria.  For details visit www.pharmacists.ab.ca or call 1-877-227-3838.