Pharmacy Technician Requirements
If you are considering a career in healthcare, one of the most notable professions you can go into is being a pharmacy technician. You will be working under the supervision of a pharmacist. You are responsible for the preparation and dispensation of prescription of medicines, among others.
Before you can begin, you should know the requirements of your state. You should research and take note of the rules and regulations of your state board of pharmacy. There are 4 types of requirements: Registration/Licensure, Certification, Education, and Continuing Education.
💊 Pharmacy Technician License and Pharmacy Technician Registration
How to get a pharmacy technician license?
There are states that require you to have a license to work as a pharmacy technician. The process requires you to complete registration so you can earn your license. You need to apply at the necessary state board of pharmacy since the requirements vary for each state. You must also remember that when you acquire your license, you need to renew it every 2 years.
📜 Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
How to get a pharmacy technician certification?
There are two ways in which you can get certified. You can either take the PTCB test or the NHA test. The most popular and widely accepted pharmacy technician certification test is the former.
To get your certification, you must pass the exam. You can take a pharmacy technician practice test to help you prepare, or you can read a pharmacy technician study guide to make the test easier to understand. There are various things that you can do so you can pass the exam with flying colors.
An essential thing that you must also know when it comes to the pharmacy technician certification requirements is that you must have the required knowledge and experience before you can take the exam. Some require formal education, while others accept on-the-job training for the experience.
🏫 Pharmacy Technician Education
Your path to being a pharmacy technician will depend on your state’s laws. You need to check out the pharmacy technician education requirements. There are some states that will require you to complete a pharmacy technician program. There are two ways. You can either get on-the-job training or post-secondary education.
In addition to that, before enrolling, you must verify whether it is an accredited program. As of 2025, the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission will be responsible for program accreditation. The PTAC is a combination of the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy. It is a joint effort for the two organizations.
For most programs, here are some of the most common prerequisites for your enrollment:
- You need to have a high school diploma or an equivalent.
- Some training programs may allow you to take a placement exam.
- Having professional experience in the healthcare field would also prove to be advantageous for various programs.
📝 Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education
Continuing Education is crucial to pharmacy technicians because it determines whether they are up to date on current practices and knowledge. If your state requires it, you have to complete the continuing education in order to maintain your active status. You are also renewing your license. You’ll be given 2 years for your renewal or recertification.
If you want to know more about your state’s general requirements, you can check out the table below.
State | Registration/Licensure | Certification | Education | Continuing Education |
Alabama | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ |
Alaska | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
Arizona | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Arkansas | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
California | ✘ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Colorado | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Connecticut | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Delaware | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ |
District of Columbia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Florida | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
Georgia | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Hawaii | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Idaho | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ | ✓ |
Illinois | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Indiana | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Iowa | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Kansas | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Kentucky | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Louisiana | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Maine | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Maryland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Massachusetts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Michigan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Minnesota | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
Mississippi | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ | ✘ |
Missouri | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Montana | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Nebraska | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Nevada | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
New Hampshire | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✓ |
New Jersey | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
New Mexico | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
New York | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
North Carolina | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
North Dakota | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ohio | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Oklahoma | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Oregon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Pennsylvania | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Rhode Island | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
South Carolina | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ |
South Dakota | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Tennessee | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Texas | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Utah | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Vermont | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Virginia | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ |
Washington | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
West Virginia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Wisconsin | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Wyoming | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
💭 Pharmacy Technician Questions
Can you be a pharmacy technician with a juvenile record?
It depends on the charges and circumstances. As an exam candidate, you must able to disclose the following information: criminal records, action taken by a state board of pharmacy against a license or registration, and violation of the code of conduct. The PTCB must be able to determine whether you are eligible based on official documents.
How to study for a pharmacy technician exam?
The best way to study for it is to take as many PTCB practice exams as you can. They’ll help you review, and you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the content and the format. You can also search online such as “Pharmacy technician certification practice test”, “Pharmacy technician practice exam”, “Pharmacy technician certification exam study guide”, “Free PTCB practice test”, “Pharmacy technician certification practice exam”, “Pharmacy tech classes online”, “Pharmacy tech practice exam”, or “Practice pharmacy tech exam” that can help you pass the pharmacy tech certification test.
Do you enjoy being a pharmacy technician?
There are so many perks of being a pharmacy technician. It is one of the rising professions in the healthcare field. The salary and its availability are factors that many consider as beneficial. It is an enjoyable job, especially for those who have a passion for taking care of others.
How hard is the pharmacy technician exam?
The difficulty level depends on the test-taker. If you have taken the necessary measures, then the exam will be bearable. If you have not prepared at all, then it might become too complicated for you.
How can I get a California pharmacy technician license?
You must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists to be licensed as a pharmacist in California (CPJE).
How to become a pharmacy technician without going to school?
To become a pharmacy technician, you don’t have to go to school for years and take out massive student loans. All you need is a certification as a pharmacy technician. These can be obtained through pharmacy technician training programs or even online.
How to schedule PTCB exam?
Candidates who are authorized to schedule an exam can do so online at PTCB.org or by phoning Pearson VUE directly at (866) 902-0593 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. After arranging an appointment, candidates will receive a confirmation email.