State Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
State Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
The practice of pharmacy is regulated at the state level, and this usually includes rules on who may practice as a pharmacy technician and what that scope of practice entails. Please read below for a high level overview and to view a color coded map indicating whether or not earning your PTCB certification after completion of our course is sufficient to satisfy the training and credentialing requirements to apply for licensure or registration in your state.
Disclaimer: State requirements and rules may change at any time, so please verify the most up to date requirements for pharmacy technician registration or licensure in your state prior to making any decision on an education or training program.
Requirements for Registration or Licensure
While a handful of states do not regulate pharmacy technicians, most require registration or licensure with the state board of pharmacy. Requirements to be eligible for registration or licensure are different in each state, so please familiarize yourself with the requirements in your state prior to enrolling in our online course.
Basic Education and Background Requirements
Most states will require a high school diploma or a completion of an equivalent certificate program. Additionally, many states require an attestation that the applicant is of good moral character and standing. This may include consenting to a background check and disclosing any criminal offenses.
Application Fee
A licensure or registration fee is usually required as part of the application process. This fee varies by state, and ranges from $25 to $150 or more.
National Certification
Many states now require applicants to become certified by a nationally recognized pharmacy technician credentialing organization. The most commonly accepted are the certifications offered by the PTCB or the NHA. Certification may be required at the time of application, or may be required to be obtained within a given timeframe or prior to the first renewal of the license/registration.
Some states offer different tiers of pharmacy technician registration or licensure, with the higher tiers requiring certification.
In states where certification is not required, it can still be beneficial as many employers require certification for employment eligibility or for specific roles within the organization.
Post High School Education or Technician Specific Training
Some states have specific training requirements in addition to or in lieu of certification. This training may be loosely defined as “on-the-job” training that can be satisfied by the attestation of a pharmacist-in-charge that you have completed general training. More commonly, the state may require you to complete a training program that is approved by the state board of pharmacy or accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) or some other specified educational institution accrediting body. These programs have stringent requirements that include hundreds of hours of live training. This training is beyond the scope of what Pharmacy Tech Scholar currently provides: if your state requires this training regardless of certification status, please seek one of the state approved training programs instead of our course if you are applying for initial licensure or registration.
Is a PTCB-recognized Online PTCE Prep Course Right for me?
We are currently compiling a list of articles describing specifc requirements for each state, and whether or not our course will help you meet those requirements. If you do not see your state listed here, please contact us and we will provide you with more information. You can refer to the color coded map below for a high level summary of the type of training/credentialing required by each state.
The color coded map below indicates whether passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam through the PTCB, after completing our online prep course, would satisfy pharmacy specific credentialing or training requirements for your state. DISCLAIMER: Please verify this information with the State Board of Pharmacy in Your State, as this map is not intended to be legal advice. Data used to create this map was obtained in June 2020, and may have changed since this date.
Green states: Are either not regulated, or do not require pharmacy specific training or national certification. Our course may still be beneficial, as many employers require national certification.
Purple states: These states require national certification as a standalone requirement or an alternative to board approved training program completion for licensure or registration or to achieve top tiering as a pharmacy technician. Our course may be ideal in this scenario as it offers an affordable and high quality path to qualify for and pass the PTCB exam.
Red states: These states may or may not require national certification, but they do require all applicants to complete a state board of pharmacy approved training program. Our course will not be sufficient to help you satisfy these requirements. However, if you are already licensed and registered in one of these states and are now seeking PTCB certification, our course may be helpful for you to prepare for the exam.
Where is your business located? Where is your contact number and contact information? Can we speak over the phone? I am interested in purchasing the program and want more info. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience.
Hi Ger,
We are located in Florida but we operate as a remote/distance learning business. You can view our contact info under the About tab on the website header (Contact). Feel free to email us any time at [email protected]. We can also set up a phone call or zoom meeting as well!
Can I study the online class on iphone or ipad? My daughter has been using mu laptop. I live in Texas and has no experience in Phar Tech field. After I finish your course, I’ll eligible to take a PTCE exam , correct?
Our course can be accessed using the web browser on your tablet or iphone. Admittedly, it works much better on the tablet but you can still view the videos, slides, and flash cards on your phone.
Our course is PTCB-recognized, so you are eligible to take the PTCB certification exam once you complete our course. In Texas, completing our course and passing the PTCE will satisfy the training/credentialing requirement for pharmacy technician registration.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Sincerely,
Aaron
I’m very interested in purchasing this class. I currently live in Mississippi but will be moving back to Arkansas next year. Arkansas is a green state on the charts but I want to know if I take the course while I’m living in Mississippi can I use the license in Arkansas?
Hi Rachel,
Our course is a PTCB-recognized program that will qualify and prepare you to take the national certification exam through the PTCB. Since this is a national exam, and our course is listed as a distance/remote learning program, you can take it from anywhere and meet the PTCE exam eligibility. This is separate from state registration/licensure.
You can initially register in Mississippi before getting your national certification, but they require it upon renewal: https://www.mbp.ms.gov/Pages/Technician.aspx
Once you move to Arkansas, you’ll be able to apply for their registration regardless of your certification status. You can see their application requirements here: https://www.mbp.ms.gov/Pages/Technician.aspx
Can I get more information on Oregon!?
Highly interested in Becoming a Pharmacy tech.
Hi Luis,
Oregon has two tiers of pharmacy techcnician licensure: Pharmacy Technician and Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician. Current board rules in Oregon only allow the plain Pharmacy Technician registration for a total of two years, so you must become a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician within that time frame. Passing our course and passing the PTCE meets the training/credentialing requirements to become a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician.
Hi, I currently reside in WA state and was wondering if your program will meet the requirements needed in order to take the PTCB exam? I already work in a pharmacy as a B Tech, and just need to find the best program to help me study for the exam. Thanks!
Hi Diana,
Our course will meet the requirements needed in order to take the PTCB exam. However, our program will not meet Washington’s approved training program requirement for licensure. Washington requires completion of either a state approved training program, or an application for approval of training that you completed out of state. Since our program does not include experiential training, it will not be approvable by the state.
If you are already licensed in Washington, or completed other state-approved training, our program could be used to help you prepare for the exam. However, if you already have 500 hours of working experience as a pharmacy technician, or if you completed state-approved training, it is likely you are already eligible for the exam. Let us know if you have any additional questions!
Can you tell me more about requirements for NJ? Thanks!
New Jersey does not have any advanced certification or training requirements for pharmacy technician registration. However, they do require national certification for pharmacy technicians working in a ratio of more than 2 technicians per pharmacist, so many employers will require national certification. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Hi,
I am from New York. Can I take this course for the PTCB exam?
Thanks
Hi Margarita,
New York requires national certification in order to apply for registration as a pharmacy technician. Yes, taking our course will qualify you for the PTCE, and passing the PTCE would meet New York’s certification requirement. We get a lot of students from New York for this reason.
Here is a link to the New York Board of Pharmacy if you want to read more: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/rpt/regpharmtechlic.htm
Can I take this course i live in Mississippi and is there a contact number?
Mississippi does not have a requirement for training or advanced education for initial registration as a pharmacy technician. However, they do require that you become nationally certified before it is time for the first license renewal. Taking our course and passing the PTCE would meet this requirement.
Our number is 904-580-6030
Iowa has new rules as of July. I am a RN and I want to take the National exam. Would your course satisfy the training program for Iowa, so I could take the exam without work experience in a pharmacy?
Thank you!
Hi Theresa, yes! The new requirements in Iowa are that to register as a certified pharmacy technician, you must have your PTCB or NHA CPhT credential. You can take our course to qualify for the PTCE through the PTCB. Passing that exam will then meet the Iowa requirement.
I live in Colorado but plan to move to Tennessee in 2 years. I do not have pharmacy experience but would like to become a certified pharmacy tech. Will your course satisfy both states? I should have experience by the time I move to TN.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Colorado requires national certification in order to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Here is more information from the Colorado Board of Pharmacy on licensing requirements: Colorado Pharmacy Technician Requirements.
Tennessee has similar requirements, so you would be good to go whenever you move.
Hello, I’m from California, is this program accredited by the PTCB? Also is it accredited by the ASHP? Because on the PTCB I read that persons cannot take the PTCE if the organization is not ASHP or ABHES accredited…? Thank you
Hi Carolina,
Our program is recognized by the PTCB: completion of our course will qualify you to take the PTCE. All ASHP and ABHES accredited programs are automatically recognized by the PTCB. Programs that aren’t ASHP or ABHES accredited must go through an attestation process and be subject to audit in order to become PTCB-recognized. Our program is not ASHP accredited at this time, primarily because of the requirement for live learning hours (our course is online only). However, we are PTCB-recognized and you can find us in their program directory!
I need more information for Nebraska. What is the difference between registered and certified. Do you register with the department of health and human services before or after certification completion
Nebraska does not have any advanced certification or training requirements for initial pharmacy technician registration. You must become certified within one year however. Also, to work in a hospital or other health system environment you will need to be state or nationally certified. Also, state regulations only allow certain tasks to be performed by certified technicians. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement. You can read more about the certification process for Nebraska here: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Documents/PharmTechBoardApprovedCertPrograms.pdf
Hi, can you give me more information on becoming certified in Ohio? Completing this course and passing my PTCE would allow me to become certified and work as a technician right?
Ohio requires all pharmacy technicians to complete an ACPE/ASHP accredited or state approved training program. To be approved, a training program must include experiential (on-the-job) training. As an online-only education program, our course does not meet this requirement. Based on this requirement, we advise that you seek out a program that is ACPE/ASHP accredited or state approved.
I am in Colorado and was wondering if this class meets the requirements?
Colorado requires national certification in order to apply for registration as a pharmacy technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE would meet this requirement.
I am very interested in purchasing this course. However, I was wondering if you could give me a little more information about what all is required in the state of Tennessee. Thanks so much!
In Tennessee, you can apply for initial registration as a pharmacy technician without training or certification. However, board of pharmacy regulations restrict the activities of pharmacy technicians who are not certified, and only allow 2 non-certified pharmacy technicians to work at any given time per pharmacist. For this reason, many employers require national certification. Completing our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
I am currently located in Arizona, I was wondering if this course and passing the PTCB exam will make me eligible to become a certified technician ?
Arizona requires national certification in order to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
I am located in Louisiana. Would this course allow me to work as a Pharmacy Technician?
Hi Abigail,
You have two options to get started as a pharmacy technician in Louisiana. You can get enrolled in a nationally accredited pharmacy technician training program, or you can take and pass one of the national certification exams. Either of those options will allow you to apply for a training registration. You will then have to complete the accredited training program that you signed up for or obtain 600 hours of on the job training within 2 years. Once you have done that you can apply for a full license.
Our program does not meet the criteria for their nationally accredited training program option, but it would allow you to become eligible to take one of the certification exams which could help you eat the requirements to get started. You should to take some time to read about this and decide which option is best for you but we’re happy to help you if you decide to choose our program.
You can read more at the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy website: http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=426
Hi, I currently live in Virginia and I’m interested in taking your online class. Will I be able to take the PTCB exam after completing this program? Thank you.
Hi James, thanks for your comment! Virginia requires either completion of a state approved training program and a state board examination, or national certification in order to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Update: Virginia updated their Board rules effective in July 2022, and now completion of an ASHP accredited program is a requirement. As an online only program, our course is not eligible for ASHP accreditation and therefore is not sufficient to meet state requirements.
[…] with PTCB-recognition. However, these programs are required in some states so always check state requirements for pharmacy technicians prior to deciding on an education […]
[…] There are multiple paths that you can take to start your career as a pharmacy technician. Most states require you to apply for registration or licensure to work as a pharmacy technician. Your options on how to become a pharmacy technician will depend on the Board of Pharmacy regulations in your state. You can find your state’s requirements by searching for “(your state) board of pharmacy technician requirements,” and clicking on the official board of pharmacy site link that shows up in the search results. For quick reference, view our post on state requirements for pharmacy technicians. […]
Does the class pass the requirement for Virginia
Hi Heather,
Virginia requires either completion of a state approved training program and a state board examination, or national certification in order to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement through the national certification pathway.
Update: Virginia updated their Board rules effective in July 2022, and now completion of an ASHP accredited program is a requirement. As an online only program, our course is not eligible for ASHP accreditation and therefore is not sufficient to meet state requirements.
Would this benefit me in Pennsylvania
Hi Shannon,
Pennsylvania does not currently require registration for pharmacy technicians. However, some employers may require national certification. Completing our course and passing the PTCE would satisfy this requirement.
There is a new law on the books that will require pharmacy technicians to complete a state-approved training program and register with the state. The State Board of Pharmacy has not finalized regulations on what type of training will be required, and they will be exempting pharmacy technicians who are already working for a year prior to the law actually going into effect.
Here is a link to the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy if you want to read more: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pharmacy/Pages/Board-Laws-and-Regulations.aspx
Sincerely,
Aaron
I live in florida, will this course help me become a certified Pharmacy Tech?
Florida requires completion of a state recognized training program to be eligible for licensure as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. To meet Florida’s requirement, a training program must include experiential (live on-the-job) training. Our course does not meet Florida’s requirement at this time as it is online learning only. If you are not already registered as a technician in the state, we advise that you seek out a training program that will meet Florida’s requirement.
good evening I am living in chicago il
did your course meet the requirements pathway of become Pharmacy Technician?
Thanks
MOHAMMAD
Hi Mohammad,
Currently, you can register as a pharmacy technician in Illinois if you are at least 16 years of age and have or are working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers will desire those registered as certified pharmacy technicians, which requires that you both pass a national certification exam and complete an accredited training program or employer based training. Completing our course, passing the PTCE, then completing on-the-job training can help you attain this registration status.
You can read more at the Illinois Board of Pharmacy website: https://www.idfpr.com/profs/pharm.asp
Does this course meet all requirements to take the pharm tech certification test in NC? I tried searching myself but there’s so much info it’s overwhelming
Hi Elizabeth,
North Carolina requires either completion of an employer based training program or national certification in order to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Here is the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Website that describes this: http://www.ncbop.org/technicians_registrationreqs.htm
I live in Louisiana and will be moving to Mississippi next year, so I would like to know the easiest route to go.
Mississippi allows initial registration as a pharmacy technician without certification or training. However, they do require pharmacy technician to attain national certification prior to the first renewal of the license. In addition, many employers may require national certification. Completing our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Here is a link to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy if you want to read more: https://www.mbp.ms.gov/Pages/Technician.aspx
You have two options to get started as a pharmacy technician in Louisiana. You can get enrolled in a nationally accredited pharmacy technician training program, or you can take and pass one of the national certification exams. Either of those options will allow you to apply for a training registration. You will then have to complete the accredited training program that you signed up for or obtain 600 hours of on the job training within 2 years. Once you have done that you can apply for a full license.
Our program does not meet the criteria for their nationally accredited training program option, but it would allow you to become eligible to take one of the certification exams which could help you get the requirements to get started. You should to take some time to read about this and decide which option is best for you but we’re happy to help you if you decide to choose our program.
You can read more at the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy website: http://www.pharmacy.la.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=426
Hello, I was a Walgreens tech in WA for 2yrs but never completed my course because I got a new job in a hospital. I have the experience and education but not the certificate. Can I take this course to complete my education so I can take my exam and be certified in WA?
Washington requires all pharmacy technicians to complete a state approved training program. To be approved, a training program must include experiential (on-the-job) training. Online-only education programs, such as ours, will not satisfy this requirement. We advise that you seek out a program that is ACPE/ASHP accredited or state approved. You may be able to find a pharmacy employer with an accredited training program who is willing to hire interns, saving you the expense of attending a diploma-based program.
You can read more at the Washington Board of Pharmacy website: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/PharmacyProfessions/LicensingInformation#heading66755
Can you give me info on GA requirements?
Georgia does not have any advanced certification or training requirements for pharmacy technician registration. However, state regulations require at least one technician to be certified in certain work environments. Therefore, many employers may require national certification. Taking our course and passing the PTCE will meet this requirement.
Here is a link to the Georgia Board of Pharmacy website: https://gbp.georgia.gov/faqs-other-information/pharmacy-technician-faqs
I am located in kenya. I am Pharmacy Technician in my country and am interested with PTCB certification what is the way forward?
Hi Gabriel,
PTCB credentials are intended for use exclusively in the United States, and testing is generally only available in the U.S. unless you are serving on a military base overseas. If you are planning on moving to the states, it will depend in which state you are planning on moving to.
I live in Florida is this going to be a course that will be sufficient for the PTCE?
Hi Heather,
Florida requires completion of a state recognized training program to be eligible for licensure as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. To meet Florida’s requirement, a training program must include experiential (live on-the-job) training. Our course does not meet Florida’s requirement at this time as it is online learning only. If you are not already registered as a technician in the state, we advise that you seek out a training program that will meet Florida’s requirement.
Hi, I am interested in the pharmacy tech program, and I am from California. I would like to know if this course meets all the required licensing and credentials to work in CALIFORNIA.
Also, is this enough to write CA pharmacy tech licensing?
Is this course enough to work as a pharmacy tech in CA? Thank you.
Hi there,
Accordingly to Board rules at the time of this comment, taking our course and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam will meet the Pharmacy Technician specific Education/Training requirement in the State of California. This is an efficient way to meet the state requirement, and we get a lot of students from California for this reason. Alternatively, you could complete a training program approved by the California Board of Pharmacy without taking the PTCE. Training programs considered to be state approved must meet one of the following criteria:
• Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology
• Any other course that provides a training period of at least 240 hours of instruction as specified in Title 16 California Code of Regulation section 1793.6(c)
• Training course accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP)
• Graduation from a school of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
Hi, I am interested in the pharmacy tech
program, and I am from Rhoda Island. I would like to know if this course meets all the required licensing and credentials to work in RI.
Is this course enough to work as a pharmacy tech in RI? Thank you.
Hi there,
Great question! These rules change all the time so please keep that in mind. But at the time I am writing this, Rhode Island has two tiers of pharmacy technician licensure: Tech I and Tech II. You can apply for Tech I registration without any advanced training or certification. Tech II requires national certification. Completing our course and passing the PTCE would satisfy that requirement. You will want to review the application requirements to see what other items you will need to consider: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=275
Where are some reliable websites where I can apply for an official state registration/license?
Hi CJ,
This must be done through the health agency that oversees the practice of pharmacy in your state. It is usually a State Board of Pharmacy or other State Health Office. Let me know which state in particular you are looking to practice in and I can point you in the right direction.
Florida
Here is a link to the Florida Board of Pharmacy website: https://floridaspharmacy.gov/licensing/registered-pharmacy-technician/
Please note that Florida requires completion of a state recognized training program to be eligible for licensure as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. To meet Florida’s requirement, a training program must include experiential (live on-the-job) training.
I am seeking pharmacy tech certification and I reside in the state of Virginia. Will this online course and the ptce exam meet the requirements for me?
Beginning in July 2022, Virginia now requires prospective pharmacy technician registrants to have completed a fully accredited training program. These include program accredited by ASHP/ACPE, the Department of Education, and the military. Given the requirements of live training for these accreditations, online only programs such as ours are ineligible. Please see this link for more information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy/pharmacy_faq.htm#TechRegistration.