How to become a pharmacy technician in District of Columbia

District of Columbia requires pharmacy technicians to register with the state. The credential is the Pharmacy technician registration, issued by the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy.

BoardDistrict of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health) official source
State credentialPharmacy technician registration (plus a separate pharmacy technician trainee registration) official source
Trainee credentialYes: pharmacy technician trainee registration. You must be at least 17, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be enrolled in a Board-approved training program or employed in a pharmacy as a trainee. Register within 30 days of starting an employer-based program, or before working if your program is not employer-based. It lasts one year and cannot be renewed (17 DCMR 9906). official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Either national certification (PTCB, NHA or another Board-approved body) or a Board-approved training program that ends with a Board-approved exam (17 DCMR 9902.1). official source
Minimum age17 official source
EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent, or a pass on a Board-approved exam showing equivalent educational skills (17 DCMR 9902.1). official source
TrainingNeeded only if you are not nationally certified: a Board-approved training program, such as an accredited technician program, a program at an accredited college, an employer-based program of at least 160 hours within one year, or an ASHP-guideline program licensed by the DC Education Licensure Commission (17 DCMR 9902.1, 9903). official source
State examNo DC-specific exam. You pass either a national certification exam (PTCB or NHA) or the Board-approved exam at the end of a training program (at least 90 questions, 75% pass mark) (17 DCMR 9902.1, 9904). official source
Background checkRequired: applicants must undergo a criminal background check (17 DCMR 9902.2). Renewal also needs a criminal background check name search. official source
State feeUSD 50 application fee for the technician registration (non-refundable); no fee for the trainee registration. official source
RenewalEvery 2 years. Registrations now expire on the last day of your birth month (in odd or even years to match your birth year). Renewal costs USD 50 plus USD 50 for the required criminal background check name search, and needs 20 hours of continuing education (at least 2 in pharmacy law, 2 in medication safety, 2 in LGBTQ cultural competency, and 10% on DC public health priorities). No continuing education is needed for the first renewal. official source
Pharmacist licensePharmacists need a DC license: pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE for the District of Columbia (17 DCMR 6504.1). official source

Checked against official District of Columbia sources on Oct 20, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the board of pharmacy before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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