As the need for the pharmaceutical industry expands due to rapid breakthroughs in medicine, pharmacy technicians are becoming increasingly important.
Although organizations like the Pharmacy Technicians Certification Board (PTCB) are delivering national standards for technicians, all states determine the minimum requirements to work as a pharmacy technician.
Therefore, current technicians need to understand any changes to their state requirements, and new technicians need to know their state’s laws before entering the field.
Keep reading to learn more!
States Requiring a Pharmacy Technician License
No states require pharmacy technicians to earn a license.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
Alaska
The Alaska Board of Pharmacy mandates that candidates finish an in-person job training program under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and register with the Board.
Arizona
New Arizona pharmacy technicians must pass the PHarmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and register with the state register with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy as a trainee.
As an alternative, candidates can also earn national certification through the PTCB.
California
Those looking to work in California must first register with the California State Board of Pharmacy and complete one of the following requirements:
- Become nationally certified via the PTCB requirements.
- Complete a pharmacy tech training program that is American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited.
- Complete an ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education)-accredited program.
- Earn an associate degree in pharmacy technology.
- Graduate from a military pharmacy technician training program.
- Finish a board-certified pharmacy tech training program with at least 240 training hours.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection requires pharmacy technician candidates to complete firsthand training under the supervision of a pharmacy manager or earn national certification through the PTCB or equivalent agency.
Idaho
The Idaho State Board of Pharmacy requires incoming pharmacy technicians to enroll in a training program and pass the PTCE or related approved examination, or earn national certification via the PTCB.
Once certification is gained, the State also requires candidates to register with the Board as a certified pharmacy technician.
Illinois
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requires candidates to graduate from a pharmacy technician training program, become PTCB certified, and then register with the Board to be able to work in the state.
Indiana
Like many other states, the Indiana Board of Pharmacy mandates national certification with the PTCB or a similar certifying agency and the completion of a state-approved pharmacy technician training program.
Iowa
The first step to fulfill the Iowa Board of Pharmacy’s requirements is to register as a pharmacy trainee, then pass the PTCE or equivalent certification exam within one year of registration.
As an alternative, candidates can become nationally certified via the PTCB or similar agency, then register with the state board.
Louisiana
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy dictates that candidates complete 600 hours of firsthand training and a state board-approved pharmacy technician training program.
Also, the Board requires PTCB or equivalent certification.
Maine
The Maine Board of Pharmacy requires applicants to finish firsthand training with a licensed pharmacist, then register with the State.
Pharmacy technicians who wish to pursue advanced designations must also be certified through the PTCB.
Maryland
For those looking to work in Maryland, the State’s Board of Pharmacy requires candidates to graduate from a state-approved pharmacy tech training program that includes 160 hours of firsthand training or become certified through the PTCB or equivalent agency.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy mandates candidates to become nationally certified with the PTCB or equivalent agency, then fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Complete an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training program.
- Finish 500 hours or more of firsthand training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
- Graduate from a state-approved pharmacy technician training program with more than 120 hours of theoretical instruction and 120 hours of practical application.
Michigan
The Michigan Board of Pharmacy dictates that applicants register with the state first, then complete one of the following before starting work:
Earn national certification with the PTCB or equivalent agency.
Graduate from an employer-based training program, followed by passing a board-approved examination.
Minnesota
Budding pharmacy technicians must first complete one of the following requirements, then register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy to work in the State:
- Complete a pharmacy technician training program from a board-approved school or a program offered by the U.S. Military.
- Finish an employer-based, state board-approved pharmacy technician training program with at least 240 combined hours of a theoretical and practical curriculum.
- Graduate from an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training program.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy requires registration with the State, followed by national certification by the PTCB or related certifying agency.
Missouri
The Missouri Board of Pharmacy also requires national certification with the PTCB or equivalent agency and state registration.
Nevada
The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy offers multiple paths to work in the State, including:
- Complete 1500 hours of in-person training as a pharmacy tech in-training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
- Gain national certification with the PTCB or related certifying agency and conduct 500 hours of firsthand training as a pharmacy tech in-training.
- Finish an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training program and complete 350 hours of firsthand training as a pharmacy tech in-training.
- Graduate from a pharmacy technician training program held by a branch of the military or the Indian Health Service, and earn national certification via the PTCB or a related agency.
Once one of these requirements is fulfilled, the candidate must register with the state board.
Technicians with licensure in another state can transfer the registration if those state obligations are equivalent to Nevada’s requirements.
New Mexico
The New Mexico Board of Pharmacy requires applicants to register as a non-certified technician, complete an employer training program under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, gain national certification with the PTCB or equivalent certifying agency, and then apply for certification through the State Board.
North Carolina
The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy dictates that candidates must complete an employer-based job training program within 180 days of the start of employment, graduate from a board-approved pharmacy technician training program, or become nationally certified by the PTCB or related agency.
Applicants are also required to register with the state board.
North Dakota
The North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy is the regulating body for pharmacy technicians.
The Board requires national certification via the PTCB and completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy tech training program or job training under the supervision of the pharmacist in charge.
Ohio
The Ohio Pharmacy Board follows Emily’s Law, which requires an in-person job training curriculum followed by an examination or national accreditation from the PTCB or equivalent agency.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy mandates candidate registration and the completion of an employer job training program under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Oregon
The Oregon Board of Pharmacy requires candidates to register as a pharmacy technician, then finish a job training program directed by a licensed pharmacist, and pass the PTCE for certification.
As an alternative, applicants can become nationally certified via the PTCB or related certifying agency, then register through the State.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy offers several options to work in the state after registration, including:
- Earn national certification with the PTCB or a related certifying agency.
- Graduate from an ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician training program.
- Finish a military pharmacy technician training program or board-approved, accredited program offered by a college or institution.
South Dakota
Those looking to work in South Dakota must register with the Board of Pharmacy as a technician-in-training, pass the PTCE, and graduate from a board-approved pharmacy tech training program.
As an alternative, candidates can become nationally certified with the PTCB or other approved agency, then register with the state to gain the designation as a certified pharmacy technician.
Texas
The Texas State Board of Pharmacy is the regulating body in the state for pharmacy technicians.
Candidates must register with the Board as a trainee, complete an approved in-person job training program, become certified via the PTCB, and then apply to become a registered pharmacy technician in the State.
Utah
The Utah Department of Commerce requires new pharmacy technicians to first register as trainees, then graduate from an approved training program that includes 180 hours of in-person job training.
Most programs prepare students for the national certification exam issued by the PTCB or equivalent agency, which is required to practice in Utah.
The final step is to apply for the pharmacy technician designation through the Department of Commerce.
Virginia
The Virginia Board of Pharmacy mandates applicants to register with the state and earn the PTCB national certification, or graduate from a board-approved technician training program.
Washington
Regulated by the Washington State Department of Health, budding pharmacy technicians must graduate from an approved technician training program, earn the PTCB national certification or equivalent, and register with the State before working.
West Virginia
Regulated by the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy, potential pharmacy technicians must register as trainees and finish a job training program that results in a final examination.
As an alternative, applicants can earn the national PTCB certification, complete 20 hours of firsthand training, then register with the Board to gain the pharmacy technician designation.
Wyoming
The Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy requires registration of all candidates and national certification through the PTCB.
States With No Licensure Requirement but Have Employer-Based Standards
Alabama
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy only requires candidates to register with the State.
Arkansas
The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy requires candidates to pass a state-designated test or become nationally certified via the PTCB to qualify for work.
Colorado
Colorado does not have any licensure or certification requirements.
Delaware
Delaware has no state pharmacy board, so licensure or certification is not required.
Florida
The Florida Board of Pharmacy simply requires registration for new pharmacy technicians.
Georgia
The Georgia Board of Pharmacy requires state registration followed by the submission of an application supplement.
Hawaii
Since Hawaii does not have a state pharmacy board, there are no licensure or certification requirements.
Kansas
The only requirement dictated by the Kansas Board of Pharmacy is to pass a state board-designated test.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy only requires candidates to register with the State.
Montana
The only requirement by the Montana Board of Pharmacy is registration.
Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also only requires registration by applicants.
New Hampshire
Incoming pharmacy technicians only need to register with the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy.
New Jersey
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs only requires state registration to work in the field.
New York
New York State does not require any licensure or certification requirements to work as a pharmacy technician.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for new pharmacy technicians.
However, there is a proposed bill within the State Government that would require pharmacy technicians to graduate from a Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy-approved training program, followed by registration.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Board of Pharmacy simply requires candidates to register with the State.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy only requires new pharmacy technicians to register with the State.
Vermont
The Vermont Board of Pharmacy only requires candidates to register with the State.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not mandate pharmacy technician licenses or certifications.
Get Certified!
Although the above states don’t have certification or training requirements, employers want some type of experience through a formal training program or on-the-job training.
Also, pharmacy technicians in training and existing pharmacy technicians can earn one of the following certifications, which can help advance their careers.
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) – PTCB
The CPhT certification from the PTCB is the most industry-recognized certificate, which is acquired by passing the PTCE.
Many states require this certification, and all employers look for this designation on candidates’ resumes.
Certified Pharmacy Technician – NHA
The other CPhT option is offered by the National Healthcareer Association.
Candidates are required to pass the Certification Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians.
Similar to the PTCB certification, all applicants must pass the exam and meet other criteria, like holding a high school diploma and gaining work experience, to become certified.
Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT)
The CSPT designation is also offered by the PTCB as a specialization that certifies technicians who work with sterile compounding.
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv)
CPhT-Adv is a more advanced version of the CPhT for more experienced professionals.
