Disclaimer: This article is informational only. Missouri pharmacy laws and Board rules change over time. Always verify current requirements on the official Missouri Board of Pharmacy and MOPRO portals before making career or licensure decisions.
Table of Contents
- At-a-glance: Missouri pharmacy technician license requirements (2025)
- Do you need a license in Missouri?
- Eligibility & what you need before you apply
- Step-by-step: Apply online via MOPRO
- Certification (PTCB vs ExCPT): when it helps and when it’s required
- What tasks require certification in Missouri?
- Renewal: deadline, fee, and CE
- High-school pathway: how students can start
- Where pharmacy technicians work in Missouri
- Salary & outlook in Missouri
- FAQs
In Missouri, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy before working in a pharmacy (with a limited allowance to assist after a completed application and fee are received). Registration is now handled through the MOPRO online portal, and the current state fee is $40. This guide walks you through who is eligible, how to apply, what tasks require certification, and how to renew your registration each year.
At-a-glance: Missouri pharmacy technician license requirements (2025)
Here’s a quick snapshot of what Missouri pharmacy technicians need in 2025:
- Registration required: Yes, with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy.
- Portal: Online only via the MOPRO licensing portal (no paper applications).
- State fee: $40 for initial registration and renewal.
- Background check: Fingerprint-based criminal background check through the state’s vendor (e.g., MACHS/IdentoGO).
- Photo: 2×2 passport-style head-and-shoulders photo.
- Education/age: No specific minimum age or diploma requirement in law; employers often prefer 18+ and a high-school diploma or GED.
- Certification: PTCB or NHA certification is optional for registration but required for certain delegated tasks (like vaccine administration, some medication administration, Class R remote sites, and technology-assisted verification).
- Renewal: Annually by May 31 via MOPRO; no Board-required CE for technicians.
Do you need a license in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri law requires anyone who assists a pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy to be registered as a pharmacy technician with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy.
Once the Board has received your completed application and fee, you may assist in the pharmacy under a pharmacist’s supervision while your registration is processed. A copy of your submitted application must be kept at the pharmacy until your registration is either issued or refused.
Eligibility & what you need before you apply
Before you start your MOPRO application, make sure you meet these baseline criteria.
Age & education
- Missouri’s statute does not specify a minimum age or high-school diploma requirement for technician registration.
- You must be of legal working age under Missouri labor laws.
- Most employers prefer applicants who are at least 18 years old and have a high-school diploma or GED, especially for evening shifts or higher-responsibility roles.
Fingerprint-based background check
- Missouri uses a fingerprint-based criminal background check through a state-approved vendor (often MACHS/IdentoGO).
- You’ll schedule an appointment, have your fingerprints taken, and pay a separate vendor fee.
- Keep your fingerprint receipt—it may be requested by your employer or the Board.
Good moral character & disqualifying offenses
- The Board can deny or condition registration based on certain felony or drug-related offenses and maintains a list of disqualifying conditions.
- Disclose your criminal history truthfully. Failing to disclose can be more serious than the underlying offense.
Photo & identification
- Prepare a recent 2×2 passport-style photo (head and shoulders, plain background) to upload or submit per Board instructions.
- Have standard identity documents available (e.g., government-issued ID, Social Security number) to complete your application and fingerprinting.
Step-by-step: Apply online via MOPRO
Missouri now uses the MOPRO online licensing portal for all pharmacy technician applications and renewals. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Create or log into your MOPRO account.
- Visit the official MOPRO portal (you can access it from the Missouri Board of Pharmacy’s website).
- Create an account if you’re a new user, or log in and claim your profile if you’ve been licensed in Missouri before.
- Start the pharmacy technician registration application.
- Select the pharmacy technician application within your MOPRO dashboard.
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your legal documents.
- Answer all eligibility and background questions honestly.
- Upload your 2×2 passport-style photo.
- Follow the portal’s instructions for file type, size, and background requirements.
- Ensure the photo is recent, clear, and a frontal head-and-shoulders image.
- Pay the state fee (currently $40).
- Submit the $40 registration fee online via the portal (a small processing fee may apply).
- Save a copy of your payment confirmation for your records and employer.
- Complete fingerprinting with the approved vendor.
- Use the Board’s instructions to schedule fingerprinting with the current vendor (commonly MACHS/IdentoGO).
- Bring required identification and your appointment confirmation.
- Pay the vendor’s fee and keep your receipt.
- Begin assisting (if allowed) while the Board processes your application.
- Once the Board has received your completed application and fee, Missouri law allows you to assist in the pharmacy under a pharmacist’s supervision.
- Your pharmacy must maintain a copy of your submitted application on-site until your registration is either issued or refused.
- Monitor your application status in MOPRO.
- Watch for Board emails about missing information or approval.
- Once approved, you can download or print a copy of your registration from the portal.
Processing time: The Board often needs around three weeks to process a complete application, but this can vary based on volume, background findings, and whether any information is missing.
Certification (PTCB vs ExCPT): when it helps and when it’s required
Missouri does not require national certification (like PTCB or ExCPT) just to register as a pharmacy technician. However, certification can:
- Make you more competitive for jobs and promotions.
- Support higher starting pay and raises.
- Allow your supervising pharmacist to delegate additional tasks that non-certified techs cannot perform.
If you’re confused about the difference between a state license and national certification, see: License vs certification (what’s the difference?).
PTCB vs NHA at a glance
The two main national certification options for Missouri pharmacy technicians are the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), which offers the ExCPT exam.
| Item | PTCB (CPhT) | NHA (ExCPT / CPhT) |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | Widely recognized nationwide; often the default credential. | Nationally recognized; accepted by many employers and states. |
| Eligibility (standard paths) | PTCB-recognized training program or equivalent work experience, plus high-school diploma/GED by certification date. | NHA-approved training program or work experience, plus high-school diploma/GED by certification date. |
| Renewal frequency | Every 2 years. | Every 2 years. |
| CE required for renewal | At least 20 hours of technician-appropriate CE every 2 years, including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety. | At least 20 hours of CE every 2 years, including coursework in law and patient safety per NHA policy. |
| More information | PTCB.org | NHA (ExCPT) |
If you’re starting to prepare for the PTCE, you may find a dedicated guide helpful: PTCB exam study guide.
What tasks require certification in Missouri?
Missouri allows pharmacists to delegate certain higher-level tasks only to an intern pharmacist or a qualified (certified) pharmacy technician who has completed required training and competency.
- Vaccine administration: Pharmacists may delegate vaccine administration only to an intern pharmacist or a qualified, certified technician who meets specific training and competency requirements.
- Medication administration under a prescription order: Certain medication administration tasks may be delegated to qualified, certified technicians per Board rules and written protocols.
- Class R Remote Dispensing Sites: A Class R pharmacy may be staffed by a qualified, certified technician (or intern pharmacist) with a supervising pharmacist connected remotely.
- Technology-Assisted Verification (TAV/TPV): Only authorized, nationally certified technicians who complete additional training may perform technology-assisted final product verification for some prescriptions.
These delegated activities are governed by detailed Missouri regulations and require documented training, competency assessments, and close pharmacist oversight. Always review your pharmacy’s policies and the current Board rules before taking on a new responsibility.
Renewal: deadline, fee, and CE
Once you’re registered, you’ll need to renew your Missouri pharmacy technician registration every year.
Renewal basics
- Deadline: May 31 of each year.
- Portal: Renew online in your MOPRO account.
- State fee: Currently $40 per year.
- Work status: You may not work as a pharmacy technician in Missouri if your registration is expired.
Continuing education
- State Board: Missouri does not require CE for pharmacy technicians to renew their Board registration.
- PTCB/NHA certification: If you hold national certification, you must complete at least 20 hours of approved CE every 2 years, including designated hours in law and patient safety.
- Many technicians treat CE as an opportunity to stay current with new medications, technology, and safety practices—even if the Board doesn’t require it.
High-school pathway: how students can start
Because Missouri law does not set a specific minimum age or diploma requirement for technician registration, motivated high-school students can often begin working as pharmacy technicians while still in school.
- Check your local and state labor laws on work hours and permitted duties for minors.
- Confirm the minimum age and education policies for the chains or hospitals where you want to apply—many still prefer 18+.
- Look into high-school Career & Technical Education (CTE) or health science programs that include pharmacy technician training.
- Consider preparing early for PTCB or ExCPT certification to strengthen college applications and job prospects.
Where pharmacy technicians work in Missouri
Pharmacy technicians in Missouri work in a variety of settings. Your responsibilities and schedule can look very different depending on where you choose to practice.
- Community/retail pharmacies: Chains and independent pharmacies are often the fastest way to gain experience. Techs help fill prescriptions, manage inventory, handle insurance, and assist patients at the counter or drive-through.
- Hospital and health-system pharmacies: Technicians may prepare sterile products (IVs), manage automated dispensing cabinets, and support medication reconciliation for inpatients and outpatients.
- Long-term care and assisted living: Techs support medication packaging, delivery, and coordination for nursing homes and other care facilities.
- Compounding pharmacies: Some pharmacists and technicians specialize in customized medications, such as hormone creams, pediatric suspensions, or veterinary formulations.
- Mail-order and central fill: Large operations process high volumes of prescriptions, often with more automation and less direct patient contact.
- Class R remote dispensing sites: In Missouri, Class R pharmacies may use certified technicians under remote pharmacist supervision to improve access in underserved areas.
Salary & outlook in Missouri
Pharmacy technician pay varies across Missouri based on location, setting, experience, and certification.
- Missouri median pay: Around $40,840 per year for pharmacy technicians.
- U.S. median pay: Around $43,460 per year for pharmacy technicians.
- Technicians working in hospitals, health systems, or specialized roles (such as sterile compounding or TAV verification) may earn more than entry-level retail positions.
- National certification, additional training, and supervisory roles often support higher pay over time.
For a deeper breakdown of wages by state and setting, see: Pharmacy technician salary guide.
FAQs
How much does the Missouri pharmacy technician license cost?
The current state fee for a Missouri pharmacy technician registration is $40, with a separate vendor fee for fingerprinting. The renewal fee is also $40 each year, paid through the MOPRO portal.
Can I work before my registration is issued?
Yes, in many cases. Once the Board has received your completed application and fee, you may assist in the pharmacy under a pharmacist’s supervision while your registration is processed, as long as a copy of your submitted application is kept at the pharmacy. If the Board later refuses your registration, you must stop working as a technician immediately.
Is there a minimum age or high-school diploma requirement?
Missouri law does not set a specific minimum age or diploma requirement for pharmacy technician registration. However, individual employers often require or prefer applicants who are at least 18 years old and have a high-school diploma or GED.
Which tasks require certification?
Certification is required when a pharmacist delegates tasks such as vaccine administration, certain types of medication administration, working in a Class R remote dispensing site, and performing technology-assisted final product verification under Board-approved protocols.
Do I need continuing education (CE) to renew?
The Missouri Board of Pharmacy does not require CE for pharmacy technician registration renewal. However, if you hold PTCB or NHA certification, you must complete at least 20 hours of approved CE every 2 years, including law and patient-safety topics, to keep your national credential active.
Where do I apply and renew?
You apply for and renew your pharmacy technician registration through the state’s MOPRO licensing portal, which you can access from the Missouri Board of Pharmacy website. MOPRO is also where you update your contact information and download license copies.
How long does it take to get a pharmacy technician license in Missouri?
Processing times vary, but many applicants receive a decision in roughly three weeks once a complete application, fee, and fingerprint results are on file. Missing information or background check issues can extend this timeline.
Note: This guide reflects Missouri rules and common practices as of the Last updated date. For official requirements and the latest changes, always consult the Missouri Board of Pharmacy and the MOPRO licensing portal directly. Nothing here is individualized legal or medical advice.
