How to become a pharmacy technician in New Mexico

New Mexico requires pharmacy technicians to hold a state credential and national certification. The state credential is the Pharmacy technician registration, issued by the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy.

BoardNew Mexico Board of Pharmacy (Regulation and Licensing Department) official source
State credentialPharmacy technician registration (non-certified pharmacy technician, then certified pharmacy technician) official source
Trainee credentialYes: non-certified pharmacy technician registration, for technicians still completing training and certification; you must become certified within one year of first applying, and you cannot re-apply as non-certified unless enrolled in a Board-recognized training program (16.19.22.14 NMAC). official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Required: every technician must get Board-approved certification (PTCB or ExCPT) within one year of registration, or may not keep working as a technician; certification must stay active to keep the registration (16.19.22.9 NMAC). official source
TrainingNo formal program required; on-the-job training under a pharmacist is allowed. The pharmacist in charge makes sure initial training covers pharmacy law, ethics, terminology, calculations, preparation and storage, dosage forms, trade and generic names, basic pharmacology and references, and a signed training record is sent to the Board with the exam result (16.19.22.9 NMAC). official source
State examNational certification exam: PTCB or ExCPT; no state technician exam is stated. official source
Background checkThe Board may run a background check on any applicant; the application asks you to disclose any felony or misdemeanor arrest or charge, and past issues do not automatically bar registration. official source
State feeUSD 25 registration fee; USD 30 renewal fee every two years (16.19.12 NMAC). official source
RenewalEvery two years, on the last day of your birth month; renewal needs proof of current national certification; the Board itself requires no continuing education hours. official source
Pharmacist licensePharmacists need a New Mexico license: pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE. official source

Checked against official New Mexico 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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