How to become a pharmacy technician in Washington

Washington requires pharmacy technicians to hold a state credential and national certification. The state credential is the Pharmacy technician certification, issued by the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

BoardWashington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (Department of Health) official source
State credentialPharmacy technician certification (a state credential); trainees first hold a pharmacy assistant certification with a technician-in-training endorsement official source
Trainee credentialBefore starting a commission-approved training program, apply for a pharmacy assistant certification with proof of enrollment, and get a technician-in-training endorsement for experiential training at the sites named on the application. The authority can end if the program is not finished within 2 years (WAC 246-945-203). official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Required: pass a national certification exam approved by the commission within one year of finishing a commission-approved training program and applying, unless the commission authorizes otherwise (WAC 246-945-205). official source
Minimum age18 (WAC 246-945-205) official source
EducationHigh school diploma or GED (WAC 246-945-205) official source
TrainingA commission-approved training program (on-the-job, school or college, or US armed forces) plus 8 hours of guided study of Washington and federal pharmacy law overseen by a Washington-licensed pharmacist. Programs accredited or run by ASHP, ACPE, PTCB or the US Armed Forces are approved automatically; other programs need at least 800 hours for vocational training (160 supervised), two academic quarters, or 520 hours on the job (WAC 246-945-205, 246-945-215). official source
State examNo state technician exam; a commission-approved national certification exam is required (see national_cert). official source
State feeUSD 140 initial pharmacy technician credential (WAC 246-945-990) official source
RenewalEvery 2 years on your birthday; USD 140 renewal fee; USD 70 late renewal penalty (WAC 246-945-990). official source

Checked against official Washington 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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