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PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


Pharmacy technician certification is required in most states. In those states where it is not, certification can be indicator to employers that the applicant is both a dedicated and capable pharmacy technician.

There are currently two national organizations for pharmacy technician certification:

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).

Requirements:
  • 18 years old
  • High school degree or G.E.D.
  • No denial by any state board of pharmacy
  • No drug- or pharmacy-related convictions
  • No felony convictions
  • Application fee of $129.00
The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) offers the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). Requirements:
  • 18 years old
  • High school degree or G.E.D.
  • No felony convictions
  • Registration fee of $105.00
The following table can be used to identify if certification is required yet in your state and also which testing service (or both) are approved. States marked with (*) enforce a minimum certified to non-certified technician ratio.

State Certification Required Approved Test Approved Test
PTCB ICPT
Alabama Optional* Approved Approved
Alaska Optional Approved Approved
Arizona Yes Approved Seeking Approval
Arkansas Optional Approved Approved
California Optional Approved Seeking Approval
Colorado Optional Seeking Approval
Connecticut Yes Approved Approved
Delaware Optional Approved
Florida Yes (1/1/10) Approved
Georgia Optional Approved
Hawaii Optional
Idaho Yes Approved Approved
Illinois Yes Approved Approved
Indiana Yes Approved Approved
Iowa Yes (stay tuned) Approved Approved
Kansas Yes Approved Approved
Kentucky Optional Approved Approved
Louisiana Yes Approved Seeking Approval
Maine Optional* Approved Approved
Maryland Yes Approved Approved
Massachusetts Optional* Approved Approved
Michigan Optional Approved
Minnesota Optional* Approved Approved
Mississippi Optional Approved Approved
Missouri Optional Approved Approved
Montana Yes Approved Approved
Nebraska Optional Approved Approved
Nevada Yes Approved Approved
New Hampshire Optional Approved Approved
New Jersey Yes Approved Approved
New Mexico Yes Approved Approved
New York Optional Approved
North Carolina Optional* Approved Seeking Approval
North Dakota Optional Approved Approved
Ohio Yes Approved Approved
Oklahoma Optional Approved Approved
Oregon Yes Approved Approved
Pennsylvania Optional Approved Approved
Rhode Island Yes Approved Approved
South Carolina Yes Approved Approved
South Dakota Optional Approved Approved
Tennessee Optional* Approved Approved
Texas Yes Approved Seeking Approval
Utah Yes Approved Approved
Vermont Optional Approved Approved
Virginia Yes Approved Approved
Washington Yes Approved Approved
West Virginia Optional Approved Approved
Wisconsin Optional Approved
Wyoming Yes Approved Seeking Approval