When chalking out your plan on how to start your career as a pharmacy technician it is imperative to find out the regulations of your state board of pharmacy. Requirements vary from state to state. Let us understand the four basic requirements of registration/licensure, education, certification and continuing education which you may have to fulfill before you embark your journey as a pharmacy technician.

Registration/Licensure:

In some states a license is required to be able to work as a pharmacy technician. To avail your license you are required to apply to your state board of pharmacy along with an application fee. You must complete the registration process to earn your license. The license is required to be renewed at an interval which is usually 2 years.

Education:

Some states require you to complete a pharmacy technician program from an accredited college to be able to practice as a pharmacy technician. It could either be a certificate, diploma or an associate program, which is prescribed by your state. A certificate/diploma takes around 9 to 12 months to complete, whereas an associate degree can take up to 24 months.

Certification:

You must find out from your state board of pharmacy if you need to get certified in order to start work as a pharmacy technician. To get certified you will have to pass either the PTCB or NHA exam. The PTCB certification however, is more widely accepted nationally and hence a preferred option.

Continuing Education:

If continuing education is a requirement in your state, then you will have to take up a structured educational activity at regular intervals, usually 2 years to stay updated thus enhancing your competence as a pharmacy technician. It's a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education which you must complete in pharmacy technician subject matter.

Out of the 50 states only 5 states, namely; Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York and Hawaii do not regulate their pharmacy technicians.

The table below gives you a snapshot of the requirements of the 50 state boards of pharmacy, across the country.

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