Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Indiana

As of June 1st, 2012, the state of Indiana features well over a thousand retail and hospital pharmacies employing, on average, about eight pharmacy technicians per practice.  Although Indiana imposes no legal restrictions on the employment of pharmacy technicians, nearly half of them are licensed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).  Most of the rest are interns, trainees and experienced professionals whose licenses may have recently expired.  Regulations regarding professional pharmacy technicians vary from state to state.  However, it seems clear that pharmacists generally favor Board certified technicians.

Indiana State Regulations for Pharmacy Technicians

State Board certification is not a legal requirement for employment as a pharmacy technician in the state of Indiana.  A technician's on-the-job activities are governed mainly by supervising pharmacists, in accordance with state and federal laws.  For instance, the maximum allowable technician to pharmacist ratio in the state of Indiana is four to one (4:1).  As mentioned previously, pharmacists prefer Board certified technicians.  Board certification involves registration with the Indiana Board of Pharmacy.  Those registering for state-approved certification as pharmacy technicians must submit a completed application with a $25 application fee.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old with at least a high school level education and no felony convictions.  Registration must be renewed every two years no later than June 30th of each even-numbered year.  All trainees for licensing as pharmacy technicians in Indiana must either successfully complete a Board-approved training program OR pass a Board certified exam.  The Board approves pre-licensing training permits valid for up to one year, which is one reason why some pharmacy technicians are technically unlicensed.  Legally speaking, continuing education is strictly voluntary as pertaining to employment, and required only to maintain Board certification. 

Indiana Training Programs for Pharmacy Technicians Include:

Indiana residents interested in working as pharmaceutical technicians sometimes acquire skills by way of Board-approved training programs available at local pharmacies.  Others earn their degrees at accredited local colleges.  Popular Indiana colleges offering certificate programs for pharmacy technicians include University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Sanford Brown College in Indianapolis, Clarian Health in Indianapolis and University of Phoenix, which maintains locations in Greenwood, Indianapolis and Merrillville.  Some aspiring pharmacy technicians acquire professional qualifications via online training programs.  Prominent accredited online colleges with degree courses for pharmacy technicians include UEI College, Northwest College, Institute of Technology, Arizona College of Allied Health and Everest Institute, to mention only a few.