State requirements for pharmacy technicians

As pharmacy technicians are currently regulated on the state level, requirements for working as a pharmacy technician vary widely from state to state. This article is intended to give you a brief overview of what the various states require for someone to work as a pharmacy technician. Please keep in mind that this section is not intended as a replacement for checking with an individual state board of pharmacy to verify their requirements. A good resource for links to each board of pharmacy is the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (http://www.nabp.net/boards-of-pharmacy). It is also noteworthy that any costs listed for state registrations and/or renewals do not include any additional costs associated - background checks (if required) or late fees and penalties.

Alabama
The state of Alabama has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians:  Pharmacy technicians must be at least 17 years of age. Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($60) with the state, and they must renew ($60) their registration biennially by October 31st of odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.). Pharmacy technicians are required to complete three hours of continuing education annually, one of which must be a live presentation. The state of Alabama does not require certification, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 up to 3:1 if one of the technicians is certified. 

Alaska
The state of Alaska has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians:  Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($150) with the state, and they must renew ($100) their registration biennially by June 30th of even numbered years (2014, 2016, 2018, etc.). Pharmacy technicians are required to complete ten hours of continuing education per renewal period.</li> Certification is not required in the state of Alaska.</li> </ul>

Arizona
The state of Arizona has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians:  Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($46--prorated) with the state, and they must renew ($36) their registration annually by November 1st.</li> Pharmacy technicians are required to complete twenty hours of continuing education biennially, two of which must be in law.</li> Completion of a board approved training program and board approved certification are required in the state of Arizona.</li> </ul>

Arkansas
The state of Arkansas has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians:  Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($108.50) with the state, and they must renew ($35) their registration annually.</li> Certification is not required in the state of Arkansas.</li> </ul>

California
The state of California has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians:  Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($80) with the state, and they must renew ($100) their registration annually.</li> A pharmacy technician is required to have either completed an appropriately accredited training program, or passed a board approved certification.</li> </ul>

Colorado
The state of Colorado does not require certification, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 up to 3:1 if one of the technicians has accomplished any one of the following:  is nationally certified,</li> <li>has a degree from an accredited pharmacy technician program,</li> <li>or has completed 500 hours of experiential training.</li> </ul>

Connecticut
The state of Connecticut has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($100) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration annually.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete twenty hours of continuing education biennially, two of which must be in law.</li> <li>The state of Connecticut does not require certification, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 up to 3:1 if the technician is either certified by a board approved program, or if the pharmacy prepares sterile products, dispenses unit doses, and does bulk compounding.</li> </ul>

Delaware
The state of Delaware does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

District of Columbia
The District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Florida
The state of Florida has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($105) with the state and they must renew ($55) their registration biennially by December 31st of even numbered years (2014, 2016, 2018, etc.).</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education, of which 4 hours must be via live presentation, and 2 hours must be related to the prevention of medication errors. During a pharmacy technicians first renewal, 1 hour must be in HIV/Aids education.</li> <li>Completion of a board approved training program is required in the state of Florida.</li> </ul>

Georgia
The state of Georgia has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 17 years of age, and is either pursuing a high school diploma, or has a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($100) with the state, and they must renew ($60) their registration biennially by June 30th of odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.).</li> <li>Certification is not required, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 up to 3:1 if one of the technicians is nationally certified.</li> </ul>

Guam
The territory of Guam does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Hawaii
The state of Hawaii does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Idaho
The state of Idaho has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($35) with the state, and they must renew ($35) their registration annually by June 30th.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians in the state of Idaho must be nationally certified.</li> </ul>

Illinois
The state of Illinois has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 16 years of age, and is either pursuing a high school diploma, or has a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($40) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by March 31st.</li> <li>An individual is not allowed to work as a pharmacy technician for more than two years without obtaining training from a nationally accredited school and passing a national certification exam.</li> </ul>

Indiana
The state of Indiana has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($35) with the state, and they must renew ($35) their registration biennially by June 30th of even numbered years (2014, 2016, 2018, etc.).</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians in the state of Indiana must either complete a board approved program or complete a board recognized certification within one year of initial registration.</li> </ul>

Iowa
The state of Iowa has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($30) with the state, and they must renew ($44) their registration biennially before the last day of the registrant's birthday.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians in the state of Iowa must complete national certification within one year of initial registration.</li> </ul>

Kansas
The state of Kansas has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($50) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by October 31st.</li> <li>Certification is not required, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1 up to 3:1 if two of the technicians have passed a state approved certification exam.</li> </ul>

Kentucky
The state of Kentucky has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 16 years of age.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by March 31st.</li> </ul>

Louisiana
The state of Louisiana has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>An individual that wants to become a pharmacy technician must complete a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration application ($25) and then complete 600 hours of training under a licensed pharmacist; after which, they must take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.</li> <li>Once an individual has completed their training and passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, they are required to register ($100) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration annually by June 30th.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete ten hours of continuing education annually.</li> <li>The technician to pharmacist ratio is 2:1 if there is a technician candidate on duty; but the ratio may be increased to 3:1 if there are no technician candidates on duty.</li> </ul>

Maine
The state of Maine has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by December 31st.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians that pass a national certification exam are allowed to register with the state as advanced pharmacy technicians.</li> <li>The technician to pharmacist ratio is 3:1; however, the pharmacy may increase the ratio to 4:1 if at least one is registered as an advanced pharmacy technician.</li> </ul>

Maryland
The state of Maryland has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be pursuing a high school diploma, or have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($45) with the state and they must renew ($45) their registration biennially.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must either complete a 160 hour training program or be nationally certified.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete ten hours of continuing education during their first renewal cycle, and twenty hours each subsequent renewal period.</li> </ul>

Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and either pursuing a high school diploma, or have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($150) with the state, and they must renew ($60) their registration biennially by the pharmacy technician's birthday.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must either complete a board approved training program, or complete a minimum of 500 hours as a pharmacy technician trainee.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must pass a state board approved assessment examination administered by the employer or the employer’s agency.</li> </ul>

Michigan
The state of Michigan does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Minnesota
The state of Minnesota has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($35) with the state, and they must renew ($20) their registration biennially by January 1st.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to either complete a state approved training program.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete twenty hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle.</li> </ul>

Mississippi
The state of Mississippi has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($50) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration annually between April 1st and March 31st.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to pass a national certification exam prior to their first registration renewal.</li> </ul>

Missouri
The state of Missouri requires pharmacy technicians to register ($35) with the state. At the time this book went to print there were no requirements for renewal.

Montana
The state of Montana has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians initially register ($60) as a technician-in-training, and have 18 months in which they must pass a national certification exam. Once certified, registration renewal ($50) is required annually by June 30th.</li> </ul>

Nebraska
The state of Nebraska has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25 + $1 for each year till next renewal cycle) with the state, and they must renew ($25 + $2) their registration biennially by January 1st of odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.).</li> </ul>

Nevada
The state of Nevada has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($40) with the state, and they must renew ($40) their registration biennially by October 31st of even numbered years (2014, 2016, 2018, etc.).</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to have completed a board approved pharmacy technician training program (including ASHP accredited programs from other states), or complete 1,500 hours as a technician-in-training, or be already licensed in another state, or have completed a training program in another state which is not ASHP accredited, but has also successfully passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. (As ASHP is transferring its accreditation program to PTAC in 2014, it is expected that the language in the law will be shifted to reflect that.)</li> <li>Technicians are required to complete 12 hours of in-service, and 1 hour of continuing education in Nevada law prior to registration renewal.</li> </ul>

New Hampshire
The state of New Hampshire has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and must be pursuing a high school diploma or equivalent, or have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by March 31st.</li> </ul>

New Jersey
The state of New Jersey has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to purchase an application for registration ($50), and then register ($35 for each year till next renewal cycle) with the state, and they must renew ($70) their registration biennially.</li> </ul>

New Mexico
The state of New Mexico has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians initially register ($30) as a non-certified technician, and have 12 months in which they must pass a national certification exam.</li> <li>Once certified, the certified pharmacy technician must register ($30) with the state, and renewal ($30) is required biennially by the last day of the registrant's birth month.</li> </ul>

New York
The state of New York does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

North Carolina
The state of North Carolina has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to either complete a board approved 6 month training program within the pharmacy, or a pharmacy technician training program from a community college.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must register ($30) with the state, and renewal ($30) is required annually by December 31st.</li> <li>The state of North Carolina does not require certification, but a pharmacy is allowed to increase their technician to pharmacist ratio from 2:1, as long as each additional technician is nationally certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.</li> </ul>

North Dakota
The state of North Dakota has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete an ASHP acrredited training program. If this training program is on-the-job, they will need to register as a technician-in-training. (As ASHP is transferring its accreditation program to PTAC in 2014, it is expected that the language in the law will be shifted to reflect that.)</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must pass and maintain the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must register ($35) with the state, and renewal ($35) is required annually by March 1st.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete ten hours of continuing education per renewal period.</li> </ul>

Ohio
The state of Ohio has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must pass a board approved certification exam.</li> </ul>

Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must first complete a training program (Phase I), and then they must complete on-the-job training (Phase II) within 90 days.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($40) with the state, and they must renew ($40) their registration annually by the l ast day of the registrant&rsquo;s birth month .</li> <li>While national certification is not mandatory, only certified technicians may prepare chemotherapy or prepare sterile products with multiple drugs.</li> </ul>

Oregon
The state of Oregon has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians initially register ($50) with the state, and they have 12 months in which they must pass a national certification exam.</li> <li>Once certified, pharmacy technicians must renew ($50) their registration annually by August 31st.</li> <li>Technicians are required to complete 1 hour of continuing education in Oregon law prior to registration renewal.</li> </ul>

Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Puerto Rico
The territory of Puerto Rico does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Rhode Island recognizes two levels of pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy Technician I is considered an employer-specific license; whereas, a Pharmacy Technician II license allows the technician to be automatically eligible for employment at all pharmacies.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and in order to be a Pharmacy Technician II, they must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($40) with the state, and they must renew ($40) their registration annually on the last day of the registrant&rsquo;s birth month.</li> <li>Once a pharmacy technician passes a national certification exam, they are eligible to be a Pharmacy Technician II.</li> </ul>

South Carolina
The state of South Carolina has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($40) with the state, and they must renew ($15) their registration annually by June 30th.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete ten hours of continuing education annually, four of which must be a live presentation.</li> <li>The state of South Carolina allows a registered certified pharmacy technician to perform more duties than a registered pharmacy technician including: accept verbal orders, perform transfers, check another technician's refill, and check another technician's medication repackaging from a bulk container to unit dose containers.</li> <li>To become certified in South Carolina, a technician must: complete an ASHP accredited program, pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, and complete 1000 hours of practice under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. (As ASHP is transferring its accreditation program to PTAC in 2014, it is expected that the language in the law will be shifted to reflect that.)</li> </ul>

South Dakota
The state of South Dakota requires pharmacy technicians to register ($25) with the state within their first thirty days of employment, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually by October 31st.

Tennessee
The state of Tennessee requires pharmacy technicians to register ($50) with the state prior to employment, and they must renew ($50) their registration biennially from the date the registration was granted.

Texas
The state of Texas has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians may initiate employment as a trainee registered with the state, but they may only maintain that status for two years. The application fee for this is $47.</li> <li>Pharmacy trainees must pass a state approved exam (currently, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam is the only state approved exam) to register as a pharmacy technician. </li> <li>Pharmacy technicians not designated as trainees are required to register ($75) with the state, and they must renew ($71) their registration biennially.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete twenty hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle.</li> </ul>

Utah
The state of Utah has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($100) with the state, and they must renew ($47) their registration biennially by September 30th of odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.).</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete either an on-the-job training program or a formal training program.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to pass and maintain national certification.</li> </ul>

Vermont
The state of Vermont requires pharmacy technicians to register ($50) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration biennially by July 31st of odd numbered years (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.).

Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands do not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Virginia
The state of Virginia has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must either pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, or complete a state approved training program and pass a state approved exam.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25) with the state, and they must renew ($25) their registration annually.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to complete five hours of continuing education each renewal period.</li> </ul>

Washington
The state of Washington has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($60) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration annually before their birthday.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete a state approved training program.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must pass and maintain a national certification exam.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete four hours of training on HIV/AIDS prior to being registered with the state.</li> </ul>

West Virginia
The state of West Virginia has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must either complete a state approved training program (which could include a 2,080 hour pharmacy trainee program) or become nationally certified and complete 20 hours of training.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($25) with the state, and they must renew ($30) their registration annually by July 1st.</li> </ul>

Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin does not have any requirements for pharmacy technicians.

Wyoming
The state of Wyoming has the following requirements for pharmacy technicians: <ul> <li>Pharmacy technicians must be at least 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians may register as a technician in training ($15) for up to two years and is nonrenewable, and to continue working beyond that, must pass a board approved certification.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians are required to register ($50) with the state, and they must renew ($50) their registration annually by December 31st.</li> <li>Pharmacy technicians must complete six hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle.</li> </ul>