Virginia Pharmacy Technician License (2025 Guide)

Editor: Dr. Emmel
Last Updated: November 11, 2025

Quick answer: How to get your Virginia pharmacy technician license

To be licensed in Virginia you must (1) complete an approved pharmacy technician training program, (2) pass a national certification exam (PTCE by PTCB or ExCPT by NHA), and (3) apply and pay the Board registration fee through LARS. As of 2025, Virginia accepts PTCB- or NHA-recognized training programs in addition to ASHP/ACPE, DOE CTE, federal/military, and other Board-approved pathways.

At-a-glance steps

Finish an approved training program (ASHP/ACPE, DOE CTE, federal/military, Board-approved accreditor, or PTCB/NHA-recognized).
Pass the PTCE (PTCB) or ExCPT (NHA).
Apply in LARS for Pharmacy Technician registration and pay the fee.
Renew each year (5 CE hours; provide your NABP e-Profile number).

Quick answer
Eligibility & license types
Step 1: Training
Step 2: Certification exam
Step 3: Apply in LARS
Renewal & CE
Salary
Workplaces
Reciprocity
FAQs

Eligibility & license types in Virginia (trainee vs technician)

Definitions

Pharmacy technician trainee: enrolled in an approved training program; performs technician duties under supervision to gain experience. Registration expires on a date not to exceed two years. See 18VAC110-21-135.
Pharmacy technician (licensed/registered): completed approved training and passed a national exam (PTCE or ExCPT). See 18VAC110-21-141.

Quick compare

Item	Trainee	Technician
Training required	Enrolled in approved program	Completed approved program
National exam	Not yet	Required (PTCE or ExCPT)
Application fee	$20	$35
Validity	Up to 2 years	Expires 12/31 each year
Annual renewal fee	—	$35
CE for renewal	—	5 hours/year
NABP e-Profile at renewal	—	Required

Note on age/diploma/background checks: Virginia’s regulation centers on training + national exam for registration. Minimum age, diploma, drug screen, and background checks are often program or employer prerequisites (e.g., UVA Health lists a high-school diploma and background check). Verify with your program/employer.

Step 1: Complete an approved technician training program

You can meet Virginia’s training requirement through one of the following:

ASHP/ACPE-accredited program (e.g., health-system or college programs).
Virginia DOE Career & Technical Education programs.
Federal/military training.
Programs accredited by a Board-approved body.
PTCB- or NHA-recognized programs (2025 update).

Examples in Virginia: employer-linked programs at UVA Health and Inova. Check each program for admissions standards (age, diploma, math/English proficiency, background/drug screen).

Pharmacy Tech Scholar℠’s pharmacy technician education program qualifies as a PTCB-recognized education program.

Step 2: Pass a national certification exam (PTCE or ExCPT)

PTCE (PTCB)

Format: 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 unscored); 110 minutes total.
Where: Pearson VUE test centers or online via live remote proctoring.
Info: PTCB CPhT & PTCE

ExCPT (NHA)

Format: 100 questions + 20 pretest; 2 h 10 m.
Where: PSI test centers or online proctoring.

Outcome/credential: Passing either exam earns the CPhT credential; Virginia accepts either exam for registration.

Step 3: Apply for your Virginia pharmacy technician registration (LARS)

What you’ll need: (1) proof of training completion, (2) proof of passing PTCE or ExCPT, (3) application + fee in LARS.

Fees (set by regulation)

Application / renewal	Amount
Trainee registration (initial)	$20
Technician registration (initial)	$35
Technician annual renewal	$35
Late fee (≤ 1 year past due)	$15
Technician reinstatement (> 1 year expired)	$45

Authority: 18VAC110-21-20 (Fees).

Renewal, CE, late fees & reinstatement

Annual renewal: Technician registrations expire December 31. Renew via LARS with fee and your NABP e-Profile ID. See 18VAC110-21-170.
Board CE requirement: 5 contact hours (0.5 CEUs) each year; keep documentation for 2 years. See the Board’s CE page for technicians: Virginia Board CE.
PTCB maintenance (national): 20 hours every two years, including 1 hour law + 1 hour patient safety: PTCB CPhT.
Late/expired: Late renewal ≤ 1 year adds $15; > 1 year requires reinstatement ($45 fee). See 18VAC110-21-20.

Salary & job outlook in Virginia

The mean annual wage for Virginia pharmacy technicians is $43,780 (May 2024). Median hourly wage is $20.43; wages vary by region and setting. Source: BLS OES (Virginia).

Common workplaces and duties in Virginia

Where you’ll work: community/retail pharmacies, hospitals/health systems, long-term care, mail-order, and compounding.

Typical duties: prescription processing, data entry, inventory control, non-sterile and (with training) sterile compounding, insurance coordination, and patient communication (under pharmacist supervision).

Program examples: Employers like UVA Health and Inova run structured training with added admissions checks (diploma, drug screen, background check). Confirm with each employer.

Reciprocity: Moving your tech experience to Virginia

If you previously practiced as a pharmacy technician in another U.S. jurisdiction and passed a national certification exam (PTCE or ExCPT), you may be eligible for Virginia registration based on that documentation. Apply through LARS with proof of practice and exam. See 18VAC110-21-141.

FAQs: Virginia pharmacy technician licensing

Is certification required to work as a pharmacy technician in Virginia?

Yes. Since July 1, 2022, Virginia requires both approved training and a national certification exam (PTCE or ExCPT). See 18VAC110-21-141.

How long is the trainee registration valid?

The Board sets an expiration date not to exceed two years to cover program completion and the exam timeline. See 18VAC110-21-135.

What’s the difference between PTCB and CPhT?

PTCB is the organization that administers the PTCE exam. CPhT is the credential you earn after passing the PTCE (or ExCPT for NHA). Virginia accepts either exam for registration.

Where do I take the PTCE or ExCPT?

PTCE is available at Pearson VUE test centers and online via live remote proctoring; ExCPT is delivered via PSI test centers and online. See PTCB and NHA.

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Virginia?

Virginia’s mean salary is $41,650 (May 2023). Individual pay varies by employer, location, experience, and shifts. Source: BLS.

Do I need an NABP e-Profile number?

Yes for renewal. The Board requires your e-Profile ID as part of annual renewal. See 18VAC110-21-170.

Can I work while I’m in school?

Yes: trainee registration allows supervised work while you complete training (see definition and two-year limit). See 18VAC110-21-135.

Helpful resources

Compliance & disclaimer

This guide is informational. Licensing rules can change; always confirm with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the current Virginia Administrative Code. No individualized legal or employment advice is provided.

Dr. Emmel

Dr. Aaron Emmel is a Florida-licensed pharmacist and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist. His vast pharmacy and education experience uniquely qualifies him to direct the pharmacy technician training program. He spent six years working in technician and pharmacist roles in community pharmacy, followed by ten years in clinical pharmacy roles within a hospital system. He served as the Director of Clinical Quality and also as the lead administrator for a Clinically Integrated Network, and also has experience in medical and leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry. He served as Clinical Assistant Professor for the University of Florida, precepting students on Pharmacy Practice Experiences and providing lectures for the Doctor of Pharmacy and Masters in Medication Therapy Management programs. Dr. Emmel earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida in 2007 and his Masters in Health Administration from the University of North Florida in 2015. When he steps away from the office, you can find Dr. Emmel spending time with his family, roasting coffee, playing the trombone, or trying to stay fit.