Regulatory note: Fees and forms change. Always confirm in the Board portal before you apply. We cite primary sources throughout this guide.
Overview: How to get a Tennessee pharmacy technician license
Short answer: Register with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy by submitting the online application, an employer-signed affidavit, a criminal background check via the state vendor, and paying the required fee; then maintain biennial renewal. Certification (PTCE or ExCPT) is optional but expands duties and can affect staffing ratios.
Table of contents
- Eligibility & prerequisites (what TN actually requires)
- Training & certification options (PTCE vs ExCPT)
- Step-by-step: Apply for your Tennessee pharmacy technician registration
- Renewal: timeline, fees, and CE
- Scope of practice & pharmacist-to-technician ratio in TN
- Salary & job outlook in Tennessee
- FAQs
- References
Eligibility & prerequisites (what TN actually requires)
What Tennessee requires:
- Registration with the Board on the prescribed form/portal.
- Employer & applicant affidavit confirming you’ve read TN laws/rules (copy kept at work).
- Criminal background check through the state’s vendor (IdentoGO) using the Board’s OCA code and workflow.
- Fees (see fee table below). The portal controls the amount you actually pay at checkout.
Notably absent in rule text: there’s no explicit minimum age or education requirement in the technician rule; employers may set their own. Verify in current rules and application materials.
Required documents
- Online application (Board portal).
- Affidavit signed by you and your employer.
- Background check confirmation (IdentoGO).
- Declaration of Citizenship form & ID proof (if applicable).
- Passport-style photo (stated in the Board’s application packet). Verify in the portal; paper packet lists this requirement.
Fees summary (initial & renewal)
| Fee line | Amount in rule text | Other official posting | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial registration | $55 (+ $10 peer-assistance) | $95 (Board notice & legacy application PDF) | Expect to pay what the Board’s LARS portal shows when you apply. |
| Biennial renewal | $75 (+ $10 peer-assistance) | $95 (Board notice) | Start in LARS; portal presents the current total. |
Why the mismatch? The codified rule still lists $55/$75 (plus $10 program fee), while an official TN fee notice and older application show $95. Treat the LARS portal as the source of truth at checkout. Verify at the moment of payment.
Training & certification options (PTCE vs ExCPT)
Certification is optional in Tennessee, but it expands duties (see scope section) and can let a pharmacy exceed the 6:1 ratio when the extra technicians are certified.
PTCE (PTCB) vs ExCPT (NHA) — quick comparison
| Feature | PTCE (PTCB) | ExCPT (NHA) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | PTCB-recognized education/training or 500 hours equivalent work experience | Eligibility posted within NHA account; criteria in Candidate Handbook |
| Exam fee | $129 | $129 |
| Renewal | 20 CE hours every 2 years; policies on ptcb.org | NHA renewal policies set by NHA; see handbook/portal |
| Official source | ptcb.org | nhanow.com |
Looking for a deeper dive? See our explainer: License vs certification: what’s the difference?
Step-by-step: Apply for your Tennessee pharmacy technician registration
Use the Board’s online system; upload documents and complete your background check.
- Create/Log in to the Board portal (LARS). Start the Pharmacy Technician Application for Registration.
- Complete the application & profile. Ensure your name matches your identification and background check registration.
- Employer affidavit. Have your PIC/employer sign the Board affidavit that you understand TN laws/rules; keep a copy at the pharmacy.
- Fingerprint/background check with IdentoGO (use the profession OCA 9906). Keep your receipt/confirmation.
- Upload required docs (passport-style photo; ID/citizenship form if requested). Photo appears in the Board packet; verify portal prompts.
- Pay the fee shown in the portal (see fee table).
- Watch for approval. Processing varies; expect communication via the portal/email.
Tip: Register for fingerprints only after you’ve noted your profession and OCA code; it prevents mismatches.
At-a-glance checklist
- Board application started
- Affidavit signed (you + employer)
- Background check scheduled/completed (IdentoGO)
- Citizenship/ID documents ready (if requested)
- Fee paid
- Registration number issued
Renewal: timeline, fees, and CE
When: Registrations renew biennially (every 2 years). Use the Board LARS portal for renewal; late renewals can incur penalties.
Fee: Board rule lists $75 + $10 peer-assistance; a TN fee notice lists $95. Pay the amount presented in LARS at checkout. Verify in the portal at the time of payment.
CE: Tennessee does not require CE for state technician renewal; national certifications (PTCB/NHA) require 20 hours every 2 years.
Scope of practice & pharmacist-to-technician ratio in TN
Ratio: Max 6:1 technicians per pharmacist; additional technicians beyond six are allowed if the additional techs are certified (Pharmacist in Charge may also request a written modification).
Additional tasks for certified techs (examples in rule text)
- Receive new or transferred oral medical/prescription orders.
- Receive/transfer copies of oral orders between pharmacies.
- Verify unit-dose carts/automated dispensing systems prepared by other techs when extra verification occurs prior to administration.
These duties are in addition to standard technician functions under pharmacist supervision.
Salary & job outlook in Tennessee
Tennessee: The most recent BLS state table (May 2023) reports an average annual wage of $38,940 for pharmacy technicians in Tennessee (median hourly ~$18.72).
National context: BLS shows a $43,460 national median (May 2024) and a 6% projected growth (2024–2034).
BLS will publish May 2024 Tennessee tables on the state page; expect values close to or slightly above 2023. Verify with: BLS OEWS state data viewer.
Where you’ll work (short list): community pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care, mail-order/specialty—duties vary by setting.
FAQs
How do I get a pharmacy tech license in Tennessee?
Complete the Board’s online application, submit the employer affidavit, complete a background check through IdentoGO, and pay the fee. Renew every 2 years. Certification is optional but helpful.
Do I need national certification (PTCE/ExCPT) to work in TN?
No. The state doesn’t require certification; however, certified techs may perform extra duties and allow a pharmacy to exceed the 6:1 ratio for additional certified roles.
What’s the difference between a pharmacy technician and a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT)?
Both hold state registration; CPhT adds a national credential (PTCB or NHA) recognized by employers and TN rules for certain duties.
How long is pharmacy tech school in TN?
Many programs run 6–12 months; others are shorter exam-prep courses. (Program length varies by school.) Verify with specific program pages. The 120-Hours to CPhT by Pharmacy Tech Scholar℠ program can be completed in as little as 3 weeks.
How much does the PTCE cost?
$129
References
- Tennessee Board of Pharmacy — Rules 1140-02-.02 (Pharmacy Technicians) and 1140-01-.10 (Fees): Technicians | Fees
- TN Dept. of Health — Applications/Portal; Licensure Renewal & Verification
- TN Dept. of Health — Criminal Background Check (IdentoGO): Instructions | OCA codes
- PTCB — CPhT (PTCE) eligibility & $129 fee: ptcb.org
- BLS — TN OEWS table (May 2023): bls.gov/oes
- BLS — OOH Pharmacy Technicians (May 2024 national): bls.gov/ooh
Compliance & disclaimer: This guide is informational, not legal advice. State rules and fees change; verify details in the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy portal and rules before applying.
