Disclaimer: This post is informational. Louisiana Board of Pharmacy rules and processes can change. Always verify current requirements with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LABP). This is not individualized legal, licensing, or medical advice.
Table of contents
- Quick answer: How to get a Louisiana pharmacy technician license
- What Louisiana means by “license” (Candidate Registration vs Certificate)
- At-a-glance: requirements, fees, and timelines
- Step 1: Candidate eligibility
- Step 2: Apply + background check
- Step 3: Training + 600 hours
- Step 4: PTCE vs ExCPT
- Step 5: Apply for the Certificate
- Renewal + CPE
- Salary + job outlook
- Where you can work
- Common mistakes
- FAQ
- Official sources
Quick answer: How to get a Louisiana pharmacy technician license
If you’re searching for a Louisiana pharmacy technician license, here’s the path most people follow: apply for a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration, complete your required training and/or 600 hours of practical experience, pass a board-approved national certification exam (PTCE or ExCPT), then apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate (the credential you renew each year).
Louisiana’s rules can change, and LABP controls the official requirements. This guide is designed to help you avoid the most common delays in applications and renewals.
Scam alert: LABP posts warnings about impersonation scams. Be cautious of calls demanding immediate payment. When in doubt, verify using official LABP contact details on pharmacy.la.gov.
What Louisiana means by “license” (Candidate Registration vs Certificate)
People often say “license,” but LABP uses two different state credentials. National certification (PTCE/ExCPT) is separate. If you want a plain-language explainer on terminology, see pharmacy technician license vs certification.
| What you’re trying to do | Official LABP credential | What it lets you do | How long it lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start training and work under supervision | Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration | Perform professional functions while training, under a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist’s direct and immediate supervision | 24 months, not renewable |
| Work as a fully credentialed tech (state credential) | Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Assist in the practice of pharmacy under direct and immediate pharmacist supervision | Expires June 30 each year; renewal required |
| Prove national competency | National certification (PTCE/PTCB or ExCPT/NHA) | Required for the Louisiana certificate | Renewed per the certifying body (separate from LABP) |
At-a-glance: requirements, fees, and timelines
Fees (Louisiana)
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate Registration application | $50 | Paid with online application |
| Pharmacy Technician Certificate application | $100 | Paid with online application |
| Annual certificate renewal | $60 | Due each renewal year (May 1–June 30 window) |
Processing time: LABP states it will issue the credential within fourteen business days after the final requirement is fulfilled when nothing is preventing immediate issuance. (This applies to both candidate registration and the technician certificate.)
Official application pages: Candidate Registration | Technician Certificate
Step 1: Check eligibility for a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration
To work and train toward a Louisiana pharmacy technician certificate, you must obtain a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration before performing any professional functions in a pharmacy.
Louisiana recognizes three eligibility options for the Candidate Registration. Your best option depends on your age and whether you’re in a formal program.
Option A: Board-approved training program (18+)
Choose this if you’re 18+ and enrolled in a nationally-accredited and board-approved pharmacy technician training program. The program director typically notifies the Board of your enrollment. If you’re comparing program options, see accredited pharmacy technician programs.
Option B: Louisiana DOE Jump Start (16+)
This pathway is for students 16+ enrolled in a Louisiana Department of Education program that offers pharmacy technician as a career path. LABP requires your Louisiana Secure ID (LASID) so your enrollment can be verified—without it, your application can’t be processed.
If you’re under 18, Louisiana’s regulations also require evidence of an Employment Certificate (as required by the Louisiana Department of Labor). (See Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46, Part LIII, §903.) Read the regulation.
Option C: Pharmacist intent to train (18+)
This is the “train me in-house” route. You must be 18+ and provide verification from a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist (not on probation) who intends to train you in a pharmacy that is not on probation.
For Option C, the pharmacist completes Form 034 (Training Intention) as a supplement to your Candidate Registration application. You can find the current form on LABP’s Technician Forms page: Forms & Applications (Technicians).
Quick eligibility notes (common edge cases)
- You must be of good moral character and non-impaired per regulation.
- If you currently hold an active Louisiana pharmacist or pharmacy intern credential, there are restrictions on holding candidate/technician status until that credential is relinquished (see the regulation and LABP guidance).
Step 2: Apply online for the Candidate Registration (documents + background check)
Once you know your eligibility option (A, B, or C), apply for the Application for New Pharmacy Technician Candidate through LABP’s Online Services Portal. Use LABP’s official checklist here: Application Process Transparency — Pharmacy Technician Candidates.
Candidate application checklist (documents you’ll upload)
| Required item | What to prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers | Non-English documents must be professionally translated |
| Social Security card | Legible copy | |
| Name change documents | Legal documentation | If applicable |
| Photo | Passport-style head/shoulders photo | |
| Form 033 + verifications | Professional Credentials Disclosure Form + license verifications | If you’ve ever held a credential in another jurisdiction |
| Prior actions documentation | Explanation letter + certified documents | Only if you answered “yes” to prior action questions |
| Electronic business statement | Signed statement | LABP requires a statement indicating you want to conduct electronic business |
| Option B: LASID | Get from your school/school system | Missing LASID = application can’t be processed |
| Option C: Form 034 | Pharmacist completes Training Intention form | Required supplement for pharmacist intent-to-train pathway |
Criminal background check (LSP + FBI)
LABP states it will supply instructions to complete a criminal background check with the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and the FBI. It may be waived if you previously completed the requirement through the Board.
LABP also notes criminal history may be used as a basis for denial, considering factors in LA R.S. 37:2950. For official details, follow LABP’s Candidate Registration transparency page: Candidate Registration checklist.
How long does Candidate Registration approval take?
If nothing is preventing immediate issuance, LABP states it will issue the credential within fourteen business days of the final requirement being fulfilled.
Important: the Candidate Registration expires 24 months after issuance and is not renewable. Plan your training timeline with that clock in mind.
Step 3: Complete training and/or 600 hours of practical experience
After LABP issues your Candidate Registration, you move into the training phase. LABP describes the Candidate Registration as a training credential that authorizes you to perform professional functions while you’re training, under pharmacist supervision, for up to two years.
600-hour rules (50 hours/week max credit) + where hours count
Your training requirements depend on how you qualified as a candidate:
- Option A candidates: complete the board-approved training program, including the practical experience hours the program requires. The program will notify the Board when you complete it.
- Option B or Option C candidates: earn at least 600 hours of practical experience in a Louisiana pharmacy (with limits).
Louisiana’s regulations include several details worth knowing up front:
- You must possess the registration before earning any practical experience.
- If your registration was issued via a non-program route, the Board may credit up to 50 hours per week (and minors may be further limited by their employment certificate).
- You cannot work in a permitted site that is on probation with the Board or with a pharmacist who is on probation.
- Practical experience hours expire two years after the expiration date of the registration.
Documenting hours: LABP lists Form 031 as a form used to document practical experience hours earned by a candidate. Always use the current version from LABP: Technician Forms & Applications.
What happens if you stop training or your registration expires?
Louisiana’s regulations describe what to do if training stops before completion. If you’re no longer training (for reasons other than completion), you generally no longer meet eligibility criteria and must relinquish the registration within 10 days. If you resume training and verification is provided, the Board may re-issue the registration with the original expiration date preserved, and may grant exceptions in unusual circumstances.
For the exact language, review Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46, Part LIII, §903: LAC §903 (Candidates).
Step 4: Earn national pharmacy technician certification (PTCE or ExCPT)
To qualify for the Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Certificate, LABP states that all pharmacy technician candidates must successfully complete a board-approved pharmacy technician certification examination. Louisiana recognizes two national exams: the PTCE (PTCB) and the ExCPT (NHA).
PTCE vs ExCPT: which one should you choose?
From a Louisiana licensing standpoint, both are accepted. Your best choice is usually the one your employer prefers or the one that matches the education/training route you’re already taking.
| Exam | Accepted proof (per LABP checklist) |
|---|---|
| PTCE (PTCB) | PTCB certificate dated 2000 or later |
| ExCPT (NHA) | ExCPT certificate dated 2018 or later |
If you’re preparing for PTCE, you may find our PTCB practice test helpful. (Always confirm your exam pathway and documentation requirements with LABP.)
Step 5: Apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Once you’ve finished training/experience and earned national certification, apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate through LABP’s Online Services Portal. Use the official checklist here: Application Process Transparency — Pharmacy Technician Certificate.
LABP lists minimum age 18, a $100 application fee, and issuance within fourteen business days after the final requirement is fulfilled when nothing is preventing immediate issuance.
Certificate application checklist (high-level)
LABP’s checklist includes identity, Social Security card, name change docs (if any), photo, Form 033 + verifications (if you’ve held other credentials), electronic business request statement, prior action documentation (if applicable), exam proof, and a criminal background check arranged using Board instructions. Follow the official checklist for the exact requirements and acceptable documents.
What changed on November 20, 2024?
LABP’s certificate instructions branch the “evidence of training and experience” requirements depending on whether you received your Candidate Registration before or on/after November 20, 2024. This affects what you submit as proof of completion/hours depending on your option (A/B/C). Use LABP’s official certificate transparency page for the correct pathway and documentation: Certificate requirements (pre/post Nov 20, 2024).
Out-of-state technicians (active credential for 1+ year)
If you’ve held a pharmacy technician credential from another U.S. jurisdiction for at least one year and it’s currently active, LABP indicates Form 33 may be accepted as evidence of education, training, or experience. (See LABP’s checklist for details.)
Renew your Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Certificate (May 1–June 30)
Renewal deadlines (May 1–June 30)
LABP states technician certificates expire June 30 at midnight. The renewal cycle runs May 1 through June 30 annually. If you do not renew by June 30, the certificate expires and reinstatement is required. See: Technician Certificate Renewal & Reinstatement.
Continuing pharmacy education (CPE): 10 hours + exemptions
LABP’s technician CPE requirements specify a minimum of 10 credit hours (or one technician-specific ACPE or board-approved CPE unit) in the 12 months before the certificate expires. LABP also uses an automated CPE compliance check and emphasizes having CPE on file with NABP CPE Monitor. See: Technician Continuing Pharmacy Education.
- CPT-M (military designation): LABP notes CPE requirements are waived.
- First renewal courtesy waiver: LABP describes a waiver for technicians renewing for the first time (see the CPE page for the exact rule language).
- Important: Renewal pages sometimes reference exemptions “for this renewal period.” Always verify the current year’s instructions.
Reinstatement if you miss the June 30 deadline
If your certificate lapses, you’ll need to follow LABP’s reinstatement process and pay applicable fees. Louisiana’s fee schedule is codified in regulation; see: LAC §115 (Fees).
Account reminder: LABP warns not to create a new online account for renewal—use your established account and follow the renewal notice instructions. If you have technical issues you can’t resolve, LABP describes a paper renewal option. See: Renewal & Reinstatement.
Salary and job outlook for pharmacy technicians in Louisiana
Pay varies by city, employer, and setting (hospital vs retail). For a Louisiana-specific snapshot, CareerOneStop reports these wages for Pharmacy Technicians in Louisiana:
| Measure | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Low | $15.05 | $31,300 |
| Median | $18.61 | $38,700 |
| High | $23.61 | $49,100 |
Source: CareerOneStop wage data (Louisiana).
For national context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the national median wage and outlook here: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Pharmacy Technicians.
Where pharmacy technicians work in Louisiana
Louisiana pharmacy technicians can work in many settings. The credentialing steps are the same, but the daily workflow differs:
- Retail/community pharmacies: dispensing workflow, insurance processing, customer service.
- Hospitals and health systems: medication distribution, inventory systems, compounding support (with training).
- Long-term care pharmacies: cycle fills, packaging, coordination with nursing facilities.
- Mail-order and central-fill operations: high-volume production workflows.
- Specialty and compounding pharmacies: complex medication preparation with tight documentation.
- Government/VA settings: structured workflows and compliance systems.
If you’re still deciding, prioritize a training environment that can reliably support your required hours and documentation (especially if you’re on the 600-hour pathway).
Common mistakes that delay Louisiana technician applications
- Choosing the wrong eligibility option (A vs B vs C) and missing the option-specific requirement.
- Jump Start applicants forgetting the LASID (LABP notes the application cannot be processed without it).
- Option C applicants using the wrong form: Form 034 is “training intention” for the Candidate Registration; Form 035 is used later as “training completion” evidence for the certificate (confirm current form requirements on LABP’s forms page).
- Waiting too late on the background check (it’s part of the final requirements before issuance).
- Not tracking CPE in NABP CPE Monitor before renewal season (LABP performs an automated audit).
- Trying to renew with a brand-new account instead of your established account.
Key takeaways
- In Louisiana, your “license” path usually starts with the Candidate Registration and ends with the Pharmacy Technician Certificate.
- If you’re 16+, the Jump Start route may apply, but you’ll need your LASID.
- If you’re on the 600-hour pathway, know the rules (50 hours/week max credit and site/pharmacist probation limitations).
- Renew your certificate every year between May 1 and June 30, and keep your CPE current in NABP CPE Monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get a Louisiana pharmacy technician license?
In Louisiana, most people start by applying for a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration, completing training and/or 600 hours of practical experience, passing PTCE or ExCPT, and then applying for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate. LABP states it will issue credentials within fourteen business days after the final requirement is fulfilled when there are no issues blocking issuance.
Can you become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana at 16?
Yes—Louisiana recognizes a Candidate Registration eligibility option for students age 16+ enrolled in a Louisiana Department of Education program with a pharmacy technician career path. LABP requires your LASID for enrollment verification, and minors may need an Employment Certificate as required by the Louisiana Department of Labor.
What’s the difference between a Pharmacy Technician Candidate and a certified pharmacy technician in Louisiana?
A Pharmacy Technician Candidate has a training registration and may perform professional functions only while training under direct and immediate pharmacist supervision. A Pharmacy Technician (Certificate holder) has the state credential issued by LABP and renews it annually.
Do you need PTCB certification to work as a pharmacy technician in Louisiana?
To qualify for the Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Certificate, LABP requires successful completion of a board-approved certification exam—either the PTCE (PTCB) or the ExCPT (NHA). You may work as a Candidate while training, but you need exam completion to obtain the Certificate.
How many hours do you need for Louisiana pharmacy technician certification?
If your Candidate Registration was issued through a non-program method, Louisiana regulations require at least 600 hours of practical experience in a Louisiana pharmacy, with a maximum of 50 hours per week credited (and additional limits may apply for minors). Program-based candidates complete the practical experience required by their approved program.
How much does it cost to get a Louisiana pharmacy technician license?
Louisiana’s fee schedule lists $50 for a new Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration and $100 for a new Pharmacy Technician Certificate. Annual certificate renewal is $60 (with additional fees for delinquent renewal and reinstatement).
When do Louisiana pharmacy technician certificates expire?
LABP states all Pharmacy Technician Certificates expire on June 30 at midnight, with a renewal cycle from May 1 through June 30 annually. Missing the deadline means the certificate expires and reinstatement is required.
How many CPE hours do pharmacy technicians need in Louisiana?
LABP’s technician CPE requirements specify a minimum of 10 credit hours (or one technician-specific ACPE or board-approved CPE unit) in the 12 months prior to the certificate’s expiration date. LABP uses NABP CPE Monitor records for compliance checks and may waive requirements for certain categories (such as CPT-M and first renewal conditions).
Can you transfer an out-of-state pharmacy technician credential to Louisiana?
If you’ve held an active pharmacy technician credential in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least one year, LABP indicates Form 33 may be accepted as evidence of education, training, or experience. You still need to follow LABP’s certificate application checklist, including exam proof requirements.
What happens if your Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration expires?
Louisiana regulations state the Candidate Registration expires 24 months after issuance and is not renewable, and practical experience hours may also expire two years after the registration’s expiration date. If training stops, the regulations describe relinquishing the registration and potential re-issuance under certain circumstances.
Official sources and references
- LABP — Application Process Transparency (Technician Candidates)
- LABP — Application Process Transparency (Technician Certificate)
- LABP — Technician Certificate Renewal & Reinstatement
- LABP — Technician Continuing Pharmacy Education
- LABP — Technician Forms & Applications
- Louisiana Administrative Code §903 (Candidates) — Cornell LII
- Louisiana Administrative Code §115 (Fees) — Cornell LII
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Pharmacy Technicians
- CareerOneStop — Louisiana wages for Pharmacy Technicians
