Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota

As of June 1st, 2012, the state of Minnesota is home to about 945 commercial and institutional pharmacies.  Altogether, Minnesota pharmacies employ more than seven thousand full time pharmacy technicians.  Although Minnesota does not require Board-certification as a condition of local employment, most Minnesota pharmacy technicians hold current, Board-approved licenses.  This is primarily because local pharmacists unanimously prefer licensed technicians, as the activities of unlicensed pharmacy assistants are somewhat limited by federal laws, not to mention lack of experience.  Legal requirements for pharmacy technicians vary from state to state, and Minnesota has its own set of guidelines pertaining to their employment.

Minnesota State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

As mentioned, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy does not mandate licensing for locally employed pharmacy technicians.  However, all pharmacy technicians who work at Minnesota pharmacies must register with the Board.  Applicants must be at least sixteen years old to apply for registration, and 18 or older to be registered.  All applicants must demonstrate adequate knowledge of pharmacy products, regulations and practices.  Registration expires on the last day of each year. Technicians must file for renewal no later than December 1st, or a late fee will apply.  The Board also mandates that pharmacy technicians must report changes of name, address or place of employment to the Board within ten days after the change takes place.  The onsite activities of Minnesota pharmacy technicians are mainly governed by supervising pharmacists, in accordance with applicable laws.  For instance, with very few exceptions, pharmacy technicians in Minnesota must wear name badges that clearly identify their job titles.  For another example, unlicensed pharmacy technicians may NOT offer or receive communications regarding patient prescriptions, nor can they physically hand the prescription to the patient.   

Minnesota Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

Minnesota residents wishing to pursue local employment as pharmaceutical technicians will often acquire skills and professional degrees at accredited local colleges.  Minnesota schools with certificate programs for pharmacy technicians include Everest Institute in Eagan and National American University, which maintains campuses in Bloomington, Minnetonka, Roseville and Brooklyn Center.  Also popular is University of Phoenix, featuring facilities in Woodbury and Saint Louis Park.  At the same rate, aspiring Minnesota pharmacy technicians often earn certificates and acquire skills online.  Popular accredited online colleges for pharmacy technicians include Daymar College, Newbridge College, Virginia College, Remington College and American Professional Institute, to name only a random few.