Regulations to work as a pharmacy tech vary from state to state. Some may require pharmacy technician certification or licensure, while a few have no regulatory requirements at all.
Obtaining certification from a nationally recognized agency or organization can improve chances for employment regardless of the state of residence. In addition, it will prepare you for the possibility of a nation-wide certification requirement, which has been proposed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
National Pharmacy Technician Certification
There are two primary organizations that provide pharmacy tech certification; the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both are certified by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and are recognized in all 50 states. They both administer pharmacy technician exams that grant certification, as well as recertification exams to maintain a CPhT status.
For requirements specific to your area, contact your state’s Board of Pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) – CPhT Certification
Since 1995, PTCB has offered the nationally recognized CPhT credential. NCCA-accredited and widely accepted, it’s a gold-standard path for pharmacy technicians.
Overview
- Fee: $129 application + exam
- Scheduling: 90-day window; exam at Pearson VUE or via live proctoring (OnVUE)
- Exam Format: 90 MCQs (80 scored, 10 unscored), ~2 hours total
- Results: Instant preliminary score; official report in ~3 weeks in PTCB account
Exam Day Tips
- Arrive 30 minutes early
- Bring valid, matching government ID
- Borrowed calculator & erasable board are provided—no personal devices or notes allowed
Retake Policy
You may retake the exam after 60 days if needed. After three attempts, a 6-month waiting period applies before you can reapply.
PTCB Certification – Eligibility Requirements
To sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), candidates must meet the requirements below.
Always confirm current rules with PTCB before applying.
| Requirements to sit for the PTCB |
|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED or foreign diploma) |
| Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions |
| Compliance with all applicable PTCB Certification policies |
| Passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) |
Potential Grounds for Disqualification
- Criminal conduct involving the candidate
- State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure action involving the candidate
- Violation of a PTCB Certification policy, including the Code of Conduct
Pharmacy Technician – Licensure, Registration & Certification by State (Updated 2025)
Overview only. Requirements change. Confirm details with your state board before you apply or work.
| State | State Credential Required? (License or Registration) |
National Certification Required? | State Board of Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | See state board | ALBOP |
| Alaska | Yes | See state board | AKBOP |
| Arizona | Yes | Often required for licensure | ASBOP |
| Arkansas | Yes | See state board | ARBOP |
| California | Yes | Certification or other approved pathway | CSBOP |
| Colorado | Yes | See state board | CDORA |
| Connecticut | Yes | See state board | CT DCP |
| Delaware | No | See state board | DBOP |
| Florida | Yes | State-approved training; see board | FBOP |
| Georgia | Yes | See state board | GBP |
| Hawaiʻi | No | See state board | DCCA |
| Idaho | Yes | Often required for role tier | IBOP |
| Illinois | Yes | See state board | IDFPR |
| Indiana | Yes | See state board | INBOP |
| Iowa | Yes | See state board | IBOP |
| Kansas | Yes | See state board | KBOP |
| Kentucky | Yes | See state board | KYBOP |
| Louisiana | Yes | Often required (candidate → CPhT) | LABP |
| Maine | Yes | See state board | MPFR |
| Maryland | Yes | See state board | MBOP |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Training + exam path; see board | MA BOP |
| Michigan | Yes | See state board | LARA |
| Minnesota | Yes | See state board | MNBOP |
| Mississippi | Yes | Often required for tier | MS BOP |
| Missouri | Yes | See state board | MBOP |
| Montana | Yes | Often required | MT DLI |
| Nebraska | Yes | See state board | NE DHHS |
| Nevada | Yes | See state board | NVBOP |
| New Hampshire | Yes | See state board | NH OPLC |
| New Jersey | Yes | See state board | NJDCA |
| New Mexico | Yes | Often required | NMBOP |
| New York | No | See state board | NYSED |
| North Carolina | Yes | See state board | NCBOP |
| North Dakota | Yes | Often required | NDBOP |
| Ohio | Yes | Role-based certification | OBOP |
| Oklahoma | Yes | See state board | OSBOP |
| Oregon | Yes | Required for CPhT level | ORBOP |
| Pennsylvania | No | See state board | PABOP |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Tech II requires certification | RIDOH |
| South Carolina | Yes | State-certified tier requires certification | SCBOP |
| South Dakota | Yes | Certification within set timeframe | SDBOP |
| Tennessee | Yes | See state board | TN DOH |
| Texas | Yes | Required for full registration | TSBOP |
| Utah | Yes | Often required | UT DOPL |
| Vermont | Yes | See state board | VT OPR |
| Virginia | Yes | See state board (updated 2025) | VBOP |
| Washington | Yes | Often required | WA DOH |
| West Virginia | Yes | Often required | WVBOP |
| Wisconsin | Yes | See state board | WI DSPS |
| Wyoming | Yes | Often required | WSBOP |
National certification (PTCB CPhT) is accepted nationwide; several states require it outright or for advanced roles.
Verify details with your board before applying. Last checked: August 31, 2025.
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) – ExCPT Certification
The NHA is the largest provider of allied-health certifications and its ExCPT earns you the CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) credential. It’s NCCA-accredited and recognized nationwide.
Eligibility & Exam Overview
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- Plus one of:
- Completion of an accredited pharmacy-tech training program within 5 years
- Or ≥1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy-related work experience
Exam Format
- 120 multiple-choice questions (includes ~20 unscored)
- Time limit: 2 hours, 10 minutes
- At PSI testing center; loaner calculator provided, no notes or electronics allowed
- Preliminary score instantly; final score available in your NHA account in a few business days
Fees & Recertification
- Exam fee: approx. $125
- Recertification (every 2 years):
- Fee: $55
- CE requirement: 20 hours, including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety
NHA’s CPhT is widely accepted and employers often value its flexible eligibility paths and low renew-al cost. Always check NHA’s official site for the latest info.
More information the NHA can be found on their website, NHANOW.com.
Benefits of Accreditation
Having professional pharmacy technician certification demonstrates that you have proven knowledge and experience in the field of pharmacology. As you search for jobs, you will automatically have a competitive edge over those who are not certified. In some cases, your accreditation can be a useful tool in negotiating a better salary.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states (BLS) adds, “Some states and employers require pharmacy technicians to have certification. Even where it is not required, certification may make it easier to get a job. Many employers will pay for their pharmacy technicians to take the certification exam”. Be prepared, and research pharmacy tech programs with eventual certification in mind.