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Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technician licensing is a growing field with two national certification paths: the PTCE (administered by PTCB) and the ExCPT (administered by NHA). States vary widely on whether certification is required or optional, and many are expanding technician scope into immunizations and advanced roles.
51
Total States
20
Require Certification
34
Allow OJT
0
Advanced Roles
Pharmacy technician requirements vary by state, with two dominant national certification exams and an expanding scope of practice in many jurisdictions.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is the dominant national certification body. The PTCE is a 90-question, 2-hour exam covering medications, pharmacy law, patient safety, and quality assurance. Results are reported as a scaled score ranging from 1,000 to 1,600.
The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) administers the ExCPT as an alternative certification path. The ExCPT is accepted in most states that require or recognize national certification, providing pharmacy technicians with a second route to credentialing.
Many states are expanding pharmacy technician scope of practice to include immunization administration, tech-check-tech programs (where senior technicians verify the work of other technicians), and advanced pharmacy technician roles with additional responsibilities and pay.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Credential | Cert Required | OJT Allowed | Program Req. | Fees | CE Hours | Advanced Role | Renewal | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Registration | No | Yes | No | $100 ($60 application + $40 background check) | 6 | No | Biennial; all technician registrations expire December 31 of odd-numbered years; renewals open October 1 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | License | No | Yes | No | $120 | 10 | No | Biennial | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | License (2-tier: Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration + Pharmacy Technician License) | Yes | No | Yes | $174 | 20 | No | Biennial (October 31) | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Registration | No | Yes | No | $105 | 0 | No | Biennial | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | License | No | No | Yes | $170-$200 | 1 | No | Biennial | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Certification | Yes | No | Yes | $57 | 0 | No | Biennial (two-year) | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Registration | No | Yes | No | $50 | 0 | No | Annual (March 31) | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | None | No | Yes | No | $0 | 0 | No | N/A (no state registration) | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Registration | No | No | Yes | $100 | 20 | No | Biennial (February 28 odd years) | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Registration | No | No | Yes | $105 | 20 | No | Biennial (December 31 even years) | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $100+ | 20 | No | Biennial (odd years, expires June 30) | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $20 | 0 | No | Valid through December 31 of odd-numbered years; no renewal — must re-apply each cycle | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Registered (Registration) | No | Yes | No | $63.25 | 0 | No | Transitioning to biennial (as of July 2025); previously $30/year, now $60 biennial | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Registered | Yes | No | Yes | $169+ | 20 | No | Annual (expires March 31) | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Licensed | Yes | Yes | No | $154 | 0 | No | Biennial (expires June 30 of even-numbered years) | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $149 | 0 | No | Biennial for CPhT; Trainee registration is 1 year, non-renewable | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $206 | 20 | No | Biennial (expires October 31) | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $25+ | 0 | No | Annual (expires March 31; renewal period begins February 1) | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Certified (Certificate) | Yes | Yes | No | $279+ | 10 | No | Annual; all certificates expire June 30; renewal cycle is May 1 – June 30 annually | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $62.00 ($41 license fee + $21 background check fee) | 0 | No | Annual; expires December 31st | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Registered | No | No | Yes | $45+ | 20 | No | 2 years (biennial, due on last day of birth month every other year) | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Licensed | No | Yes | No | $136+ | 0 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Licensed | No | No | Yes | $137.70+ | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Registered | No | Yes | Yes | $60+ | 20 | No | 1 year (annual; expires December 31 each year) | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Registration | No | Yes | No | $90.00 | 0 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Licensed | No | Yes | No | $83.50 | 0 | No | 1 year (annual) | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Certified | Yes | No | No | $164+ | 0 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Registration | Yes | Yes | No | $154+ | 0 | No | 2 years (registrations renewable January 1 of odd-numbered years) | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Registered | No | No | Yes | $50+ | 12 | No | 2 years (biennial; expires October 31 of each even-numbered year) | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Registered/Licensed/Advanced (3-tier system) | No | Yes | No | $25-$257+ | 0 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $50+ | 0 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $154 | 20 | No | Biennially | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Certified | Yes | No | Yes | $304 | 20 | No | 3 years (triennial), with first renewal prorated to birth month | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $60 | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Registered | Yes | No | Yes | $154 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $50 | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Permit | No | Yes | No | $40 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Certified | Yes | No | Yes | $256.50 | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Registered | No | No | Yes | $30 | 20 | No | 2 years (biennial) | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $77 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $40 | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $154 | 20 | No | 1 year (expires October 31 annually) | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $60 | 20 | No | 2 years (biennial) | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $231 | 20 | No | 2 years (biennial) | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Licensed | Yes | No | Yes | $187 | 20 | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Registered | No | No | Yes | $75 | — | No | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $154 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Licensed | Yes | Yes | Yes | $204 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Registered | Yes | No | Yes | $154 | 20 | No | 1 year | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Registered | No | Yes | No | $30 | null (no CE required for renewal) | No | 2 years (expires 05/31 of each even-numbered year) | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Registered | Yes | Yes | No | $154 | 20 | No | 1 year (expires December 31 annually) | March 2026 |
Pharmacy technicians often work alongside other healthcare and licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Pharmacy Technician licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements
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