Pharmacy Technician License

If you are ready for a health care career that is in-demand, has reasonable working hours, and can lead to as much career growth as you want, then working as a pharmacy technician may be the right choice for you. Find out what it takes to get a pharmacy technician license.

Pharmacy technicians generally work alongside licensed pharmacists in retail settings, such as drugstores and supermarkets, in hospitals and nursing homes. Their tasks often include the following four:

Managing and dispensing prescriptions
Preparing insurance claims
Managing inventory
Interacting with patients and prescribing physicians

This is a rewarding career that requires careful attention to detail and excellent customer service skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is a fast-growing field; job opportunities are expected to grow by around 31 percent between the years 2008 and 2018.

What it takes to get a pharmacy technician license

In order to become employed as a pharmacy technician, you may need to apply for a license in the state where you wish to work. State requirements vary. Here are a few examples, by state.

California: You are qualified to apply for a pharmacy technician license, if you hold an Associate Degree in Pharmacy Technology, have completed a training course that's accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), graduated from a training program that's accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), are certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), or earned qualifying training from a branch of the United States Armed Services.
Indiana: You must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent, submit to a criminal background check, hold no convictions of drug-related crimes, be certified by PTCB or the National Healthcareer Association.
Texas: Pharmacy technicians must have an active registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

Already have a license and are relocating to another part of the country? Some states will recognize a pharmacy technician license that was issued by another state, and some will not. Check with the relevant State Board of Pharmacy for more information about whether you need to apply for a new license.