Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

The State of Rhode Island Department of Health has several requirements for aspiring pharmacy technicians. They must complete a training program and obtain a license through the Department. The information below provides specifics on what is expected of anyone wishing to use the title “pharmacy technician” in the State of Rhode Island.

General Requirements: Pharmacy Technicians

No person shall perform the duties of a pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician unless the person is licensed to do so by the Department under the provisions of the Act and these Regulations.

24.1 In accordance with §5-19.1-16 of the Act, a Pharmacy Technician license will be issued to any individual who meets the requirements established under the Act and these Regulations.

24.2 No person shall perform the duties set forth in §§24.14, 24.15, 24.16, and 24.17 of these Regulations unless such person is licensed as a Pharmacy Technician.

24.3 There shall be two (2) levels of licensure for a Pharmacy Technician: Pharmacy Technician I and Pharmacy Technician II.

24.4 The Pharmacy Technician shall file with the Department an application for licensure (see below) and shall be required to furnish such information as the Board may prescribe and, simultaneously with the filing of said application, shall pay to the Department the required non-refundable fee of forty dollars ($40.00).

24.5 All licenses issued to Pharmacy Technicians shall be valid for a period of one (1) year.

24.6 No individual may serve as a Pharmacy Technician without holding a valid Pharmacy Technician license from the Board.

An applicant for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician shall be licensed as one of the following:

24.11.1 Pharmacy technician I: person licensed as a Pharmacy Technician who performs

any pharmacy function or duties under the supervision of a pharmacist. The

Pharmacy Technician I license shall be employer-specific. However, a Pharmacy

Technician I may have multiple license from more than one (1) employer.

24.11.2 Pharmacy technician II: Pharmacy Technician who is licensed by the Board and

who performs any pharmacy functions and duties under the supervision of a

pharmacist.

Qualifications

Pharmacy Technician I

24.12 An applicant for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician I must:

24.12.1 Have satisfied the Board that he or she is of good moral and professional character;

24.12.2 Be eighteen (18) years of age or older with the exception of those high school

students working in pharmacies as part of school or community sponsored career

exploration programs;

24.12.3 Be a high-school graduate or the equivalent, or currently enrolled in a high school or vocational training program that awards such degree or certificate;

24.12.4 Not have been convicted of any felony for violations involving controlled

substances subject to waiver by the Board upon presentation of satisfactory

evidence that such conviction does not impair the ability of the person to conduct

with safety to the public the duties of a Pharmacy Technician I;

24.12.5 Be currently enrolled in or successfully completed a Board-approved Pharmacy

Technician I training program defined in §24.19 of these Regulations.

Pharmacy Technician II

24.13 An applicant for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician II must:

24.13.1 Have satisfied the Board that he or she is of good moral and professional character;

24.13.2 Be eighteen (18) years of age or older;

24.13.3 Be a high-school graduate or the equivalent;

24.13.4 Not have been convicted of any felony for violations involving controlled

substances subject to waiver by the Board upon presentation of satisfactory

evidence that such conviction does not impair the ability of the person to conduct

with safety to the public the duties of a Pharmacy Technician.

24.13.5 Effective 1 January 2012, have successfully passed a nationally-recognized

certification examination acceptable to the Board, including, but not limited to, the

Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) or the Institute for

Certification of Pharmacy Technicians “ExCPT” examination.

Rhode Island is home to a community college system that offers many Board approved pharmacy technician training programs. In addition to helping students meet the requirements of the Department, successful completion of a training program at one of these community colleges will help you attract the best employers. They can place you at the top of the list when it comes to promotions and other advancement opportunities, and starting pay and increases may be more substantial.

Continue reading to find out which Rhode Island community colleges offer programs for aspiring pharmacy technicians.

Rhode Island Schools with Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Rhode Island Community Colleges

Community College of Rhode Island, CCRI - Knight (Warwick), Flanagan (Lincoln),

Liston (Providence), Newport County (Newport), Downcity (Providence), and

Westerly Satellite (Westerly)

Pharmacy Technician Programs – Other Options

Providence Skills Center - Providence

Department approved training program sponsored by CVS Caremark