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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $57
Governing Authority
State Board of Pharmacy / Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Certification
Credential Type
Yes
National Cert Required
Yes
Formal Program Required
$57
Total Initial Fees
0 hrs
CE Hours
Biennial (two-year)
Renewal Period
Get the Colorado Pharmacy Technician Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or ged.
Complete an approved pharmacy technician training program. Program should be PTCB course/program required.
Pass a national pharmacy technician certification exam. Colorado accepts: PTCE. PTCB certification required since March 30, 2020; must be certified before practice (provisional cert available up to 18 months). Exam fee: $129.
Complete criminal background check.
Submit your application to the State Board of Pharmacy / Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA. Application fee: $57. Registration fee: $57. Total initial fees: $57.
Renew your registration every Biennial (two-year). Renewal fee: $57.
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Certification
Official Title
Certified Pharmacy Technician
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy / Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Drug Screening
Immunization Requirements
Pharmacist supervision required
YesTechnician-to-Pharmacist Ratio
Not sure if you need a pharmacy technician license? Check whether your state requires one.
National Certification Required
Accepted Certification Exams
PTCE
from PTCB · $129
Certification Deadline
PTCB certification required since March 30, 2020; must be certified before practice (provisional cert available up to 18 months)
On-the-Job Training Alternative
Formal program or certification required
Formal Training Program
Program Accreditation
PTCB course/program required
Topics Covered
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PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam)
Questions
90 questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Format
Computer-based, multiple choice
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam).
Study Materials & Exam Prep — ExCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam
Prepare for your ExCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee State certification fee paid to DORA | $57 |
Registration Fee Included in application/certification fee | $57 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB (required for Colorado certification) | $129 |
Total Initial Fees $57 state certification fee (excludes PTCB exam fee of $129) | $57 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties (Pharmacist Only)
Can Administer Immunizations
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified0
State CE Hours
20
PTCB Recert Hours
Biennial (two-year)
Renewal Period
No State CE Requirement
Renewal Fee
$57
Biennial renewal; relies on PTCB maintenance (20 CE hours) rather than separate state CE requirement
PTCB recertification requires 20 CE hours per 2-year cycle, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. State CE requirements may overlap with PTCB requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PTCB Certification Transfers
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require pharmacy technicians to apply for a new credential in the destination state, even if they hold national certification. Requirements vary by state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Colorado with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Colorado requires PTCB certification (not ExCPT) before practice, offers a provisional cert up to 18 months, has one of the highest technician-to-pharmacist ratios nationwide (6:1 standard, 8:1 central fill), and has no separate state CE -- relying entirely on PTCB maintenance.
PTCB certification required before practice since March 30, 2020
Provisional certification available for up to 18 months while completing PTCB requirements
6:1 technician-to-pharmacist ratio (8:1 for central fill) -- among the highest in the nation
No separate state CE requirement; relies on PTCB recertification maintenance (20 CE hours biennially)
Immunization administration allowed with 4-hour accredited training and physician authorization
ExCPT is NOT accepted; only PTCE/PTCB certification recognized
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Colorado
See how Colorado compares: Pharmacy Technician License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare pharmacy technician requirements across all states →
Pharmacy Technician licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure pharmacy technician is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Colorado compare to other states for pharmacy technician? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your pharmacy technician license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Colorado
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams.
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Official Sources
Pharmacy Technician requirements in Colorado verified against State Board of Pharmacy / Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA, March 2026.
Moving to Colorado? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to Colorado →
Transfer your Pharmacy Technician license from Colorado to: Arizona → | Kansas → | Nebraska → | New Mexico → | Oklahoma → | Utah → | Wyoming →
Colorado requires national certification (PTCE or ExCPT) to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. All licensing is managed through the State Board of Pharmacy / Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), DORA.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.