Entry-level practice requirements of pharmacy technicians across the United States: A review

Abstract

Purpose: The results of a review of statutes and regulations to determine entry-level requirements for pharmacy technicians across the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of training and certification are reported.

Methods: Pharmacy practice acts in all 51 jurisdictions were reviewed to ascertain initial qualifications for training, certification, registration, and/or licensure of pharmacy technicians using the keywords technician, registration, licensure, training, education, and certification. One reviewer analyzed statutes and regulations in force as of March 2017.

Results: Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 86% (44 of 51) required pharmacy board registration and/or licensure in order to practice as a pharmacy technician; 55% (28 of 51) required no education/training or certification, 8% (4 of 51) required education/training only, 10% (5 of 51) required certification only, 14% (7 of 51) required education/training and certification, and 14% (7 of 51) required either education/training or certification.

Conclusion: There is no consensus among the 50 states and the District of Columbia regarding entry-level requirements for pharmacy technicians, which range from no oversight to mandatory training/education with or without certification requirements. Several national organizations have set recommendations for minimal education/training and certification; however, there is no uniform acceptance across the United States.

Keywords: education; entry-level requirements; national certification; pharmacy technician; training.