Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Idaho

As of June 1st, 2012, the state of Idaho supports nearly sixteen hundred pharmacy technicians among more than 265 institutional and retail pharmacies scattered throughout the state.  Despite Idaho's licensing requirement for pharmacy technicians, roughly 500 unlicensed pharmacy technicians are currently employed at Idaho pharmacies.  This figure, however, is deceiving, as most unlicensed pharmacy technicians are on-the-job trainees, competent interns or experienced professionals in the process of annual licensing renewal with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).   

Idaho State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

Since July of 2009, Idaho state regulations mandate that all pharmacy technicians employed within the state's borders are fully Board certified.  The law further states that applicants must be “of good moral character and temperate habits.”  In other words, druggies and drug dealers need not apply.  The maximum allowable ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists is six to one (6:1).  Some of the six may include interns and clerical assistants.  However, the work-related activities of unlicensed pharmacy technicians are seriously restricted by the Idaho Pharmacy Board, not to mention federal laws.  For instance, pharmacy technicians who are not (or not yet) Board certified may NOT prepare, reconstitute, package, label or issue prescription drugs and other controlled substances.  Qualified applicants for registration as pharmacy technicians in Idaho are at least 18 years of age with high school diplomas (or GEDs) and no criminal record.  The application fee for licensing as a pharmacy technician in Idaho is renewable each year no later than June 30th.   Applicants must pass either the PTCB exam or the nationally accredited ExCPT exam in order to be licensed for employment. 

Idaho Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

No specific training is required for Idaho pharmacy technicians, but licensing requires passing one of the two state-approved exams.  Idaho residents who are interested in working locally as pharmacy technicians sometimes attain professional skills at accredited local schools.  Colleges in Idaho featuring certificate programs for pharmacy technicians include Idaho State University in Pocatello, Carrington College in Boise, University of Phoenix in Meridian, North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene and Milan Institute, with campuses in Boise and Nampa. Meanwhile, just as many more Idaho-based pharmacy technicians earned their certificates via online educational programs.  Popular accredited online colleges offering licensing certificates for pharmacy technicians include MedVance Institute, UEI College, Pioneer Pacific College, Milwaukee Career College and Virginia College, to name only a few.