Oregon Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

A number of changes have taken place in the state of Oregon since 2005. Before this time, pharmacy technicians were required to register with the State of Oregon Board of Pharmacy. Today, they must obtain a license. The Board offers the following detailed information for aspiring pharmacy technicians.

Transition from Registration of Technician to Licensure of Technician

(1) Effective June 28, 2005, pharmacy technicians ceased to be registered and became licensed. As part of licensure, pharmacy technicians are now subject to disciplinary action by the Board and subject to specialized education and training requirements established by the Board. This rule provides a framework for the transition from registration to licensure.

(2) The existing Board file containing information on each registered pharmacy technician or applicant for registration as a pharmacy technician remains in effect when the registration program transitions to a licensure program. Pharmacy technicians and applicants need not resubmit application material or other information to the Board because of the transition to licensure unless the Board specifically requests resubmission. Complaints, investigations, renewal information, criminal history information and registration history information remain in effect and carry over into the licensing history for each pharmacy technician or applicant.

855-025-0005. Qualifications for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician or Certified Pharmacy Technician

(1) Effective August 1, 2006, to qualify for licensure as a certified pharmacy technician, an applicant must demonstrate that the applicant is or will be at least 18 years of age and holds or will hold a high school diploma or GED at the time the Board issues the license.

(2) No person whose license to practice as a pharmacist has been denied, revoked, suspended or restricted by the Board may be licensed as a pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician unless the Board determines that licensure will pose no danger to patients or to the public interest.

855-025-0010. Renewal of Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician Requires Certification

(1) The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all pharmacy technicians in Oregon become certified pharmacy technicians by passing a certification examination accepted by the Board. This rule requires all current pharmacy technicians to become certified by October 1, 2008, and gives all new pharmacy technicians until October 1, 2008, one year after initial licensure, or prior to the pharmacy technician’s 19th birthday, whichever is later, to obtain certification.

(2) The license of a pharmacy technician expires one year from the date upon which it is issued, and may be renewed only if:

(a) The applicant has become certified by taking and passing one of the examinations described in section three or

(b) The applicant is less than 18 years of age.

(3) For any pharmacy technician license that expires on or after September 30, 2008, an applicant to renew a pharmacy technician license must demonstrate that the applicant for renewal has taken and passed the national pharmacy technician certification examination given by either:

(a) The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or

(b) The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).

(4) The license of a certified pharmacy technician expires on September 30 of each year and must be renewed annually.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, a pharmacy technician who is less than 18 years of age need not take and pass a certified pharmacy technician examination.

(6) Applicants for licensure or renewal of licensure as a pharmacy technician must submit to a criminal background check.

855-025-0015. Renewal of Licensure as a Certified Pharmacy Technician

(1) Licensed pharmacy technicians who have taken and passed a certification examination listed in OAR 855-025-0010(3) may use the title “certified pharmacy technician,” are referred to in these rules as a “certified pharmacy technician,” and are licensed as a “certified pharmacy technician.”

(2) An applicant for renewal of a certified pharmacy technician license must:

(a) Maintain certification by one of the organizations listed in OAR 855-025-0010(3) and

(b) During each period from September 1 through August 31, complete and report at least one hour of pharmacy law, appropriate to the applicant’s work setting and functions. Fifty minutes equal one contact hour.

(c) Submit to a criminal background check.

(3) The Board may randomly select and audit applications for renewal to verify completion of the continuing education reported on the application for renewal. Certified pharmacy technicians whose applications for renewal are selected for audit must provide documentation of completion of the continuing education reported.

While employers and certification boards offer training, many employers today think highly of individual’s that complete a degree (or diploma) program at a community college or university. Individuals with a degree or diploma typically receive better job offers, better pay raises, and more advancement opportunities.

Fortunately, the state of Oregon is home to several schools that offer top-tier diploma, associate, and even bachelor degree programs that can help you fulfill the state’s requirements and better prepare you for a successful career in the field. The schools below are the most popular choices.

Oregon Schools with Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Pharmacy Technician Programs - Major Oregon Colleges and Universities

Oregon State University - Corvallis

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Other Oregon Colleges

Chemeketa Community College – Salem

Linn-Benton Community College – Albany

Portland Community College - Portland

Southwestern Oregon Community College – Coos Bay

Treasure Valley Community College - Ontario