This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Pharmacy regulations can change. Always confirm details with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy and the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) before applying or making career decisions.
Table of contents
- Overview: Pennsylvania’s pharmacy technician registration (effective June 28, 2025)
- Who must register and by when?
- Minimum age, education, and training requirements
- What counts as a Board-approved training program?
- Background check & child-abuse training: what’s required?
- How to apply via PALS (step-by-step)
- Fees & renewal at a glance
- Trainee registration (age 16): eligibility, limits, and conversion
- Do you need national certification (PTCB/ExCPT)?
- Work settings & job outlook in Pennsylvania
- Quick checklist: from “considering” to “registered”
- FAQs about becoming a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania
Overview: Pennsylvania’s pharmacy technician registration (effective June 28, 2025)
Beginning June 28, 2025, Pennsylvania requires pharmacy technicians to register with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
To qualify, applicants must generally be at least 17 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program, undergo a criminal history record check, and complete required child-abuse recognition and reporting training. There is no state pharmacy technician exam required for registration.
Technicians already working in Pennsylvania must complete registration by June 28, 2026 to continue practicing. The Board uses the term “registration,” not “license,” but many employers and job postings still use “license,” so you’ll see both terms in this guide.
Who must register and by when?
In most cases, anyone working as a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania must be registered with the Board. The new regulations took effect on June 28, 2025. From that date, the law provides a transition period until June 28, 2026 for currently practicing technicians to obtain registration.
At-a-glance summary
- Effective date of regulations: June 28, 2025.
- Deadline to be registered and keep working: June 28, 2026.
- Who must register: Almost all pharmacy technicians working in Pennsylvania, with limited transitional exceptions.
Grandfathering provisions
The regulations include a limited grandfathering option for individuals who were already working as pharmacy technicians before the rule took effect. If you worked as a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania for at least one year during a specified period (for example, between January 29, 2019 and January 29, 2021), you may qualify for a streamlined registration pathway that relaxes some education or training requirements.
Because these transitional rules are time-limited and specific, always review the latest language on the Board’s site or in the Pennsylvania Bulletin final rule to confirm whether you qualify under a grandfathering clause.
Minimum age, education, and training requirements
The core requirements to become a fully registered pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania include:
- Age: At least 17 years old at the time of application for full technician registration.
- Education: High school diploma or GED (or equivalent).
- Training: Completion of a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program.
- Child-abuse training: Completion of state-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting training for initial registration.
- Criminal history record check: A criminal history record check (CHRC), which may include state and/or FBI checks as directed by the Board.
- State exam: Pennsylvania currently does not require a state pharmacy technician exam for registration.
These requirements are set out in the Board’s regulations and summarized on the official Pharmacy Technician Registration snapshot.
What counts as a Board-approved training program?
Pennsylvania requires pharmacy technicians to complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program. The regulations allow several types of programs to qualify, including:
- Employer-based training programs that meet the Board’s requirements for content, documentation, and supervision.
- ASHP/ACPE-accredited programs (often offered by colleges, health systems, and training providers).
- Programs recognized by national certification bodies such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or NHA, when they meet Pennsylvania’s Board-approved criteria.
If you’re comparing options, you can see how the Pharmacy Tech Scholar℠ PTCB-recognized training program compares by clicking here.
Background check & child-abuse training: what’s required?
Pennsylvania requires a criminal history record check as part of the registration process. The exact type of background check (state-level, FBI fingerprinting, or both) is defined in the application instructions on PALS and may vary depending on your residence history and other factors.
In addition, pharmacy technician applicants must complete child-abuse recognition and reporting training from a state-approved provider before initial registration. A smaller number of child-abuse CE hours is typically required for renewal.
Because these safety-related requirements can change, always follow the current instructions in your PALS application and on the Board’s website.
How to apply via PALS (step-by-step)
Pennsylvania uses the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) for all licensing and registration applications, including pharmacy technician registration. Here is a practical step-by-step overview:
- Create or log in to your PALS account
Go to pals.pa.gov, create an account if you do not already have one, and log in. Under the Pharmacy Board options, select Pharmacy Technician Registration (or Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration if applicable). - Confirm eligibility
Before you start, make sure you meet the minimum age, education, and training requirements. Have your high school diploma/GED and proof of completion for your Board-approved training program ready to upload if requested. - Complete child-abuse recognition training
Complete the required child-abuse training from an approved provider. Save your completion certificate or number so you can document it in your application. - Obtain your criminal history record check
Follow the directions in the PALS application and on the Board website to request your criminal history record check. In some cases, this involves scheduling fingerprinting through a designated vendor. - Fill out the online application
Complete all sections of the online application carefully, including your employment history and training details. Upload any required documents and attestations. - Pay the application fee
Pay the applicable fee electronically through PALS:- $30 for initial pharmacy technician registration.
- $15 for pharmacy technician trainee registration.
- $15 additional fee if converting from trainee to full technician registration.
- Monitor your PALS messages
After submission, check your PALS account and email regularly. The Board may request additional information or documentation. Respond promptly to avoid delays. - Receive and verify your registration
Once approved, your registration will appear in PALS. Save or print a copy for your records and confirm that your employer has the updated information.
Fees & renewal at a glance
Here is a simplified view of the most important pharmacy technician fees in Pennsylvania:
| Action | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial pharmacy technician registration | $30 | Paid through PALS when you apply. |
| Trainee registration | $15 | One-time; non-renewable. Valid for a limited period (e.g., two years). |
| Conversion from trainee to technician | $15 | Additional fee when upgrading from trainee to full technician within the allowed timeframe. |
| Biennial renewal (pharmacy technician) | $70 | Registrations renew on a two-year cycle, typically in odd-numbered years, with child-abuse CE requirements. |
Always verify the current fees and renewal schedule on the Board website or in PALS, as fee amounts and cycles can change. The authority for these fees is set in the Board’s regulations (for example, 49 Pa. Code §27.91 and related sections).
Trainee registration (age 16): eligibility, limits, and conversion
Pennsylvania allows a separate pharmacy technician trainee registration for individuals who are at least 16 years old but do not yet meet all of the requirements for full technician registration.
Key points about trainee registration include:
- Minimum age: 16 years.
- Background check and child-abuse training: Trainees must typically complete a criminal history record check and state-approved child-abuse recognition and reporting training, similar to fully registered technicians.
- Duration: Trainee registration is issued for a limited period (for example, two years) and cannot be renewed.
- Conversion to full technician: Once a trainee meets all full technician requirements (age, education, and training), they can apply to convert their trainee registration to full technician registration by submitting a conversion application and fee in PALS.
The Board’s pharmacy technician trainee snapshot provides the most up-to-date details on eligibility, timelines, and limitations.
Do you need national certification (PTCB/ExCPT)?
Pennsylvania’s pharmacy technician registration regulations do not require national certification such as PTCB (CPhT) or ExCPT to register with the state. However, many employers strongly prefer or require certification, especially health-system and hospital employers.
The PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential typically requires:
- Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program or a qualifying amount of pharmacy technician work experience.
- Passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
Obtaining national certification can:
- Improve your employability and competitiveness.
- Increase your chances of working in higher-paying settings like hospitals.
- Open paths to advanced roles, such as PTCB’s CPhT-Adv and other specialty credentials.
If you are preparing for the PTCE, practice resources (such as a PTCB practice test) can be helpful alongside your formal training program.
Work settings & job outlook in Pennsylvania
Pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania can work in diverse practice settings, including:
- Community/retail pharmacies (large chains and independent pharmacies).
- Hospitals and health systems (inpatient and outpatient pharmacies).
- Long-term care and closed-door pharmacies.
- Mail-order and central fill facilities.
- Specialty pharmacies serving patients with complex conditions.
- Other settings such as compounding pharmacies, correctional facilities, and certain pharmaceutical or insurance roles.
According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania was around $40,710 as of May 2024, while the national median wage for pharmacy technicians was about $43,460 as of May 2024. Actual pay varies by region, experience, certification, and employer.
Quick checklist: from “considering” to “registered”
Use this short checklist if you’re planning your path to registration in Pennsylvania:
- Confirm you meet the age requirement (17 for full technician, 16 for trainee).
- Earn or verify your high school diploma or GED (for full registration).
- Enroll in and complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program.
- Complete child-abuse recognition and reporting training from an approved provider.
- Request your criminal history record check as directed in PALS.
- Create or log in to your PALS account and submit your online application.
- Pay the appropriate fee ($30 technician, $15 trainee, $15 conversion, plus future renewal fees).
- Respond to any Board requests in PALS and, once approved, confirm your registration status with your employer.
- Track your renewal date (biennially, typically in odd-numbered years) and complete required continuing education.
FAQs about becoming a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania
Do pharmacy technicians need to be licensed/registered in Pennsylvania?
Yes. As of June 28, 2025, Pennsylvania requires pharmacy technicians to be registered with the State Board of Pharmacy to practice in most settings. Applications are submitted through the PALS system, and existing technicians must be registered by June 28, 2026 to continue working.
When did the registration requirement become mandatory?
The regulations implementing technician registration took effect on June 28, 2025, following publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. From that date, Pennsylvania began requiring pharmacy technicians to register, with a transition period for existing technicians.
What are the minimum age and education requirements?
For full technician registration, you must generally be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Pennsylvania also offers a trainee registration pathway starting at age 16, which has its own limitations and conversion requirements.
What training programs qualify?
Pennsylvania requires completion of a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program. Employer-based programs, ASHP/ACPE-accredited programs, and programs recognized by PTCB or NHA can qualify when they meet the Board’s criteria. Always confirm with your employer and the Board that your training program satisfies Pennsylvania’s requirements. The Pharmacy Tech Scholar℠ program is considered a board-approved training program in Pennsylvania.
How do I complete the background check?
The application instructions in PALS explain exactly which criminal history record checks you must complete and how to submit them. This often includes obtaining state records and may require fingerprinting through a Board-designated vendor. Follow the directions in PALS carefully and keep copies of your documentation.
What fees must I pay and how often do I renew?
The typical fees are $30 for initial technician registration, $15 for trainee registration, $15 for trainee-to-technician conversion, and around $70 for biennial renewal. Registrations usually renew every two years, often in odd-numbered years, and require completion of child-abuse continuing education. Always verify current fees on the Board’s site.
Can I work as a trainee at age 16?
Yes, Pennsylvania offers a pharmacy technician trainee registration starting at age 16. Trainees must comply with background check and child-abuse training requirements and can only hold trainee status for a limited time before converting to full registration once they meet all requirements.
Do I need national certification?
National certification (such as PTCB CPhT or ExCPT) is not required by the state for registration. However, many employers prefer or require certification, and it often leads to better job prospects and higher pay. Certification may also help demonstrate that your training meets or exceeds Board expectations.
What is the salary and job outlook in Pennsylvania?
Recent federal data place the mean annual wage for pharmacy technicians in Pennsylvania at about $40,710, with a national median around $43,460. Demand for trained, registered technicians is expected to remain strong, especially in hospitals, health systems, and specialty pharmacy settings. For the most current figures, check the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and local job postings.
Always consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy, the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and other official sources for the latest requirements, fees, and deadlines.
