How to become a pharmacy technician in New York

New York requires pharmacy technicians to hold a state credential and national certification. The state credential is the Registered Pharmacy Technician license, with a registration renewed every 3 years, issued by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

BoardNew York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Pharmacy) official source
State credentialRegistered Pharmacy Technician license, with a registration renewed every 3 years (Education Law Article 137-A) official source
Trainee credentialNo trainee credential. Without the license you may still work as unlicensed pharmacy staff under a pharmacist's direct supervision on tasks that need no license (such as typing labels, keying prescription data and counting doses), but never compounding (Education Law 6841). official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Required for the license: certification from PTCB or NHA, the only programs the Department accepts. Keeping the national certification is not required to renew the registration (FAQ 19) official source
Minimum age18 at the time of application (Education Law 6844) official source
EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent; the Department also accepts a college transcript showing an associate degree or at least 30 semester credits (FAQ 22) official source
TrainingNo set training hours. The employing registered pharmacy must make sure the technician is trained and competent before they assist in compounding, preparing, labeling or dispensing (FAQ 5) official source
State examNo state exam; the requirement is PTCB or NHA national certification official source
Background checkMust be of good moral character as determined by the Department (Education Law 6844) official source
State feeUSD 175 for licensure and first registration (USD 75 initial license plus USD 100 initial registration) official source
RenewalRegistration every 3 years; the first renewal is prorated so later renewals fall in your birth month. The license itself is for life unless suspended or revoked (FAQ 16 to 17) official source
Pharmacist licensePharmacists need a New York license: pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE, both within 5 years. official source

Checked against official New York 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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