Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Kansas

As of June 1st, 2012, roughly 565 hospital and retail pharmacies lie scattered throughout the state of Kansas.  Altogether, they support approximately 3,640 full time professional pharmacy technicians, according to data recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Of these, only about two thousand are Board certified holders of state-approved pharmacy technician licenses.  All pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Kansas are subject to federal laws pertaining to the handling and processing of controlled substances.  However, regulatory guidelines for pharmacy technicians will vary from state to state. 

Kansas State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

Although Board certification is not a legal requirement for employment in Kansas pharmacies, all pharmacy technicians working in the state of Kansas must be registered with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy.  Registration for pharmacy technicians (not to be confused with licensing or Board certification) requires the submission of a fully completed application form and a twenty-five dollar registration fee.  Applicants must also pass a 20-question pharmacy technician exam by getting at least fifteen answers correct (75% or better).  Registration must be renewed every two years.  All associated fees and dues are the sole responsibility of the applicant.  The nature of pharmacy technician training is solely up to the supervising pharmacist.  No particular training program is mandated by the Board, although all state-based training programs are reviewed each year to ensure compliance.  Continuing education is only required for licensed technicians to maintain certification.  The Board does accept out-of-state licensing.  The maximum allowable technician to pharmacist ratio at pharmacies in Kansas is two to one (2:1).  The ratio can be increased to 3:1 if at least two of them are Board certified pharmacy technicians. 

Kansas Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

Kansas residents who are interested in seeking employment as pharmaceutical technicians in Kansas often acquire professional skills and certificates at accredited local colleges.  Prominent Kansas schools featuring pharmacy technician licensing and certificate programs include North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit, Vatterott College in Wichita and University of Phoenix, which maintains campuses in Lenexa, Topeka and Wichita.  Other Kansas pharmacy technicians earn skills through Board-approved training programs at local pharmacies, or through on-the-job training.  At the same rate, some aspiring Kansas pharmacy technicians opt for online pharm-tech degree programs.  Popular accredited online colleges for pharmacy technicians include Rasmussen College, Pioneer Pacific College, Daymar College, InterCoast College and Charter College, to name only a few.