As of June 1st, 2012, the state of Florida features nearly 3,800 local pharmacies employing about 21,760 pharmacists' assistants. Approximately three quarters of them are Board certified pharmacy technicians, regularly assisting the pharmacist in the processing, handling and issuance of federally controlled substances. The rest are limited primarily to clerical tasks, inventory and customer service. Since pharmacy technicians are granted access to various prescription medications, certain state-ordered guidelines and federal regulations may apply. Like most states, Florida has its own u
The state of California features more than five thousand pharmacies, which currently employ a total of about 28,670 pharmaceutical technicians. Of these, approximately three quarters are licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy. The rest are pharmacists' assistants whose permissible on-the-job tasks are primarily limited to administrative duties and customer service.
California State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians
The state of Arizona features nearly a thousand hospital and retail drug dispensaries employing roughly 6,710 licensed pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the preparation and processing of prescription drugs and other legally controlled substances. The pharmacy technician's job responsibilities may include counting pills, labeling containers, checking labels for compliance and performing various administrative tasks such as database management and patient record updates. Pharmacy technicians come in contact with controlled substances on a daily basis, so va
According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) 2012 Survey of Pharmacy Law, more than 80 percent of states license, register, or certify pharmacy technicians. While the remaining states do not have any special requirements for technicians, most employers do. Most employers require licensing, registration, and/or certification for the same reasons most jurisdictions do—to ensure the safety of the patient and minimize liability on the part of the establishment.
In the state of Minnesota, all pharmacy technicians are required to register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. This requirement has been in place since January 30, 1999. In order to register with the Board, technicians must:
The rules for practicing pharmacy technicians in the state of Colorado can be tricky. However, certain aspects add validity to recommendations provided by schools, teachers, and employer’s alike—aspiring pharmacy technicians have a better chance of landing a good job if they have a certificate or degree in the field, plus certification.
If you want to work as a pharmacy technician in the state of Alabama, you are required to register with the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. While there are no education requirements for Alabama pharmacists—at least legally, most employers prefer candidates with a certificate or degree, in addition to training in the field.
According to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), pharmacy technicians must be certified/registered in the state to practice as a pharmacy technician. The LLR lists the following information pertaining to certification:
To become a pharmacy technician in the state of Louisiana, individuals must meet a number of requirements. In addition to passing a State and Federal criminal background check, aspiring pharmacy technicians must be:
Indiana is home nearly 10,000 salaried pharmacy technicians. This means, around 3 percent of the nation’s 334,400 salaried technicians live in The Hoosier State. Aspiring pharmacy technicians choose Indiana for:
The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy “regulates the practice of pharmacy and distribution” by issuing licenses to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians. The State Board offers the following guidelines for the pharmacy technicians:
The Tennessee State Board of Pharmacy regulates the pharmacy industry, which includes pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians. While the board does not discuss education and experience requirements, it is clear about what is expected in order to act as a pharmacy technician in the state of Tennessee. The Board provides the following information:
According to the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation, all potential pharmacy technicians must register with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy or apply for registration prior to employment. While successful completion of a pharmacy technician training program is not a requirement for registration, most employers prefer candidates with a certificate or a degree from an accredited program. A certificate or degree may also lead to better advancement opportunities, more competitive pay raises, and access to better job opportunities overall.
The State of Maryland Board of Pharmacy has several requirements for anyone interested in working as a pharmacy technician in the state. Aspiring pharmacy technicians must register with the Board and complete a Board approved training program or a national pharmacy technician certification program. Board approved training programs must be a maximum of six months long and include 160 hours of work experience.
