How to become a pharmacy technician in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires pharmacy technicians to register with the state. The credential is the Pharmacy Technician Registration, issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy.

BoardPennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs) official source
State credentialPharmacy Technician Registration official source
Trainee credentialPharmacy Technician Trainee temporary registration: at least 16, criminal history record check, 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting training, no diploma or exam; only one is issued per person and it expires after 2 years or when you get technician registration official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Not required; there is no exam requirement and a Board-approved training program is required instead official source
Minimum age17 (Pharmacy Act section 3.3); 16 for the trainee registration official source
EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent official source
TrainingComplete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program (49 Pa. Code 27.702) official source
State examNone official source
Background checkCriminal history record check as required by the Board; certain convictions can bar registration (Pharmacy Act section 3.3). Also 3 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting training before registration official source
State feeUSD 30 initial technician registration fee (USD 15 if converting from an active trainee registration); USD 15 trainee registration fee official source
RenewalEvery 2 years; USD 70 renewal fee official source
Pharmacist licensePharmacists need a Pennsylvania license: pass the NAPLEX and the Pennsylvania state law exam (PA MPJE). official source

Checked against official Pennsylvania 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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