How pharmacy technician certifications and licenses differs across the United States

Career
Female pharmacist in white lab coat reaching for a product on a shelf in a pharmacy

A pharmacy technician license and certification allow you to work as a tech in the US. Find out how the certifications and licenses differ across the country.

The majority of states require some form of training, criminal background checks, or drug screening before you can be licensed. Interestingly, the process of getting a license or certification differs from state to state. You also can’t work in a state where you aren’t licensed.

If you want to become a pharmacy technician, keep reading to learn about how to be one in your state of choice. Keep in mind that not all states require a license or certification. 

How pharmacy technician certifications differ between states

The board from which you obtain the license under, the type of license you need, the fees, and background checks will vary greatly. The timeframe for pharmacy tech training will also differ from each state, but getting certified should take anywhere from one to two years. 

In some states, getting licensed will require experience or training, which adds to the timeframe.

All states will require a background check, photo ID, and paying exam fees to earn a license unless noted otherwise (aka, you won’t need these items if getting a license isn’t required).

It’s important to note that a certification and license are different things. A certification shows proof of your training, whereas a license is the legal document that allows you to work. 

A

  • Alabama: Requires a license through the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy.
  • Alaska: Pharmacy technicians require a CPhT certification. They must pass a drug test. The NHA ExCPT and PTCB are also accepted. 
  • Arizona: Technicians can get licenses by passing the NHA or PTCB exam or joining a trainee program. Either way, they need a clearance card for fingerprinting.
  • Arkansas: The Arkansas state board requires a license but not a certification. Techs need proof of a GED or high school diploma (HSD) and a copy of their Social Security card.

C

  • Colorado: Requires a license through the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy.
  • Connecticut: Requires a license through the Connecticut State Board of Pharmacy. It isn’t necessary to earn a certification, but they must work under a licensed pharmacist.

D

  • Delaware: There are no licensing or certification prerequisites for pharmacy technicians, but you need a GED or HSD to work in a pharmacy.

F

  • Florida: Requires technicians to be 17 years old or older and take an approved training program (no PTCB). Then, they have to register with the Florida Board of Pharmacy.

G

  • Georgia: There are no certification requirements, but technicians have to be registered with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. Technicians must be 17 years old or older, be enrolled in high school, or have a GED or HSD. Technicians have to renew their registration on odd-numbered years by June 30th. 

H

  • Hawaii: There are no licensing or certification requirements for pharmacy technicians, but they need an HSD or GED to work as a pharmacy tech.

I

  • Idaho: Potential applicants must be over 16 years old, provide a fingerprint scan, and become certified and/or maintain their certification via the PTCB or NHA exam. 
  • Illinois: Pharmacy technicians can start working without a license, but they must be licensed within two years from the day they start employment. They must be over 16 years old, have a GED or HSD, and pass the PTCB CPhT exam. Licenses must be renewed every single year.
  • Indiana: Pharmacy technicians need to be at least 18 years old, have a GED or HSD, and pass either the PTCB or NHA exams. Technicians have to renew their registration on odd-numbered years by June 30th. 
  • Iowa: Requires a certification through the Iowa State Board of Pharmacy.

K

  • Kansas: Requires registration through the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy, fingerprint cards, and certification via the PTCB or NHA exams.
  • Kentucky: Requires registration through the Kentucky State Board of Pharmacy. Registration must be renewed every year on March 31st. 

L

  • Louisiana: Technicians must be 18 years or older, complete 600 hours of practical experience with a licensed pharmacist, and have a GED or HSD.

M

  • Maine: There are no certification requirements, but technicians have to be registered with the Maine Board of Pharmacy.
  • Maryland: Pharmacy technicians need to be at least 17, provide proof of completion of a board-approved program, and have a GED or HSD.
  • Massachusetts: Students can become a tech by either passing an exam or completing a board-approved program. If students choose to pass the exam, they must also get either the PTCB or NHA certification, be registered through the Massachusetts State Board of Pharmacy, have a GED or HSD, and be at least 18 years old.
  • Michigan: Pharmacy technicians must be certified through the PTCB or NHA before getting licensed and have a GED or HSD. They must also complete training in pain control, pharmacy ethics, patient safety, and human trafficking.
  • Minnesota: Requires registration through the Minnesota State Board of Pharmacy, a GED or HSD, and the compilation of 20 continuing education credits every two years. 
  • Mississippi: There are no certification requirements, but technicians must be licensed, be at least 18 years of age, and have a GED or HSD.
  • Missouri: Requires registration through the Missouri State Board of Pharmacy, and fingerprinting. Missouri doesn’t require a certification, but without one, technicians can’t administer vaccines, administer medications for prescription orders, or work in a remote pharmacy without a pharmacist present.
  • Montana: Requires registration through the Montana State Board of Pharmacy, passing either the PTCB or NHA exams and obtaining a GED or HSD.

N

  • Nebraska: Requires registration through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. To do this, you’ll need to be over 18 years old, have no felony or drug-related criminal charges, and have a GED or HSD.
  • Nevada: Pharmacy technicians must complete an approved training program.
  • New Hampshire: Requires a license through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Techs must also be over 18, have a GED or HSD, and obtain a certification through an approved organization (PTBC).
  • New Jersey: There are no certification requirements, but registration through the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy is required. Pharmacy technicians must also have no felony or drug-related criminal charges within the past year, a GED or HSD, and take digitally recorded fingerprints. 
  • New Mexico: Pharmacy technicians can start working without a license, but they must be licensed within one year from the day they start employment. They must also be fingerprinted. Licenses must be renewed every two years on their birth month.
  • New York: To be licensed to work, techs need to register. For this, they need to be at least 18 years old, be certified, and have a GED or HSD.
  • North Carolina: Technicians must complete the training program and the PTCB exam.
  • North Dakota: Requires registration through the North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy, passing the PTCB exam, and owning a GED or HSD. Technicians need to be at least 18 years old, and applications must be notarized.

O

  • Ohio: Requires registration through the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, both licensure and certification from the ExCPT or PTCB, and have a GED or HSD.
  • Oklahoma: Technicians must apply for a permanent job that allows them to work, on-the-job training, and have a GED or HSD.
  • Oregon: Technicians must have proof that they completed a course and pass the exam.

P

  • Pennsylvania: There are no licensing or certification requirements for pharmacy technicians, but they need a GED or HSD to work as a pharmacy tech.

R

  • Rhode Island: Pharmacy technicians must either get a “1” or “2” license. The “1” license only requires registration through the Rhode Island State Board of Pharmacy. The “2” license requires a PTBC certification. Both licenses are necessary for different roles.

S

  • South Carolina: Technicians must complete a training course and earn certification from the PTCB or NHA exams. Then, they need to register through the South Carolina State Board of Pharmacy.
  • South Dakota: Requires registration through the South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy. Technicians also need to be at least 18 years old, have a GED or HSD, and receive a backer track within 30 days of starting employment.

T

  • Tennessee: There are no certification requirements, but they need to get a license through the Tennessee State Board of Pharmacy. Technicians also need to provide their Social Security number, education and employment information, and a statement of competency.
  • Texas: Technicians can get a license after they pass the certification exam. They must have a GED or HSD and provide a record of fingerprints.

U

  • Utah: Technicians need a fingerprint card, a certificate of completion for a training program, a copy of a PTCB or NHA certification, and a completed education affidavit.

V

  • Vermont: There are no certification requirements, but techs must be licensed. To do this, they need to be at least 18 years old, have a GED or HSD, and renew their license every two years. 
  • Virginia: Pharmacy technicians need to fill out a questionnaire, pass an exam, and have a GED or HSD to get both certified and licensed. They must also renew their license annually. If they fail to do so in five years, they must retake the exam.

W

  • Washington: Technicians need to pass a certification exam and complete eight hours of continuing education that focuses on Washington law. They must also provide an affidavit that states they’re in good health and not at risk for substance abuse.
  • West Virginia: Requires registration through the Pharmacy Board of West Virginia. Certification can be completed through 500 hours of training or the PTCB. 
  • Wisconsin: Technicians must be certified before they can be licensed. They need to enroll in an apprenticeship program and have a GED or HSD. Licenses need to be renewed on even-numbered years by May 31st. 
  • Wyoming: Pharmacy technicians need to register as “in training” and work under a pharmacist for two years. Then, they need to earn their certification from the PTCB.

No two states have the same requirements

While many states share similarities, no two states have the exact same pharmacy technician certification and licensing requirements. Before you go on your journey to becoming a technician, make sure you review what you need to do (and pay) in your respective state.