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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $100
Governing Authority
DC Board of Pharmacy / DC Health – Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
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.
Registration
Credential Type
No
National Cert Required
Yes
Formal Program Required
$100
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
Biennial (February 28 odd years)
Renewal Period
Get the District of Columbia 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 equivalent.
Complete an approved pharmacy technician training program. Program should be Board-approved program required (following ASHP guidelines); no pure OJT pathway.
Complete criminal background check. Background check fee: $50.
Submit your application to the DC Board of Pharmacy / DC Health – Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA). Application fee: $50. Registration fee: $50. Total initial fees: $100.
Renew your registration every Biennial (February 28 odd years). 20 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $100.
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Registration
Official Title
Registered Pharmacy Technician
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the DC Board of Pharmacy / DC Health – Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
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
ExCPT
from NHA
Certification Deadline
Not required; multiple registration pathways available
On-the-Job Training Alternative
Formal program or certification required
Formal Training Program
Program Accreditation
Board-approved program required (following ASHP guidelines); no pure OJT pathway
Topics Covered
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee paid to DC Health | $50 |
Registration Fee Included in application fee | $50 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB (optional; not required by DC); ExCPT exam fee is $125 (paid to NHA) | $129 |
Background Check Fee Criminal background name search fee | $50 |
Total Initial Fees $50 application + $50 background check (excludes optional national exam fees) | $100 |
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)
Cannot Administer Immunizations
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified20
State CE Hours
20
PTCB Recert Hours
Biennial (February 28 odd years)
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$100
Biennial renewal total: $50 renewal fee + $50 background check (required at every renewal); 20 CE hours required (2 law, 2 medication safety, 2 LGBTQ cultural competency)
Regulatory Board
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 District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
DC is notable for requiring 2 hours of LGBTQ cultural competency CE per renewal, mandating a background check at every biennial renewal (not just initial), using a 'safe supervision' standard instead of a fixed ratio, and not authorizing technician immunization administration.
LGBTQ cultural competency CE (2 hours) required per renewal cycle -- unique among jurisdictions
Background check ($50 name search) required at EVERY renewal, not just initial application
No fixed technician-to-pharmacist ratio; uses 'safe supervision' standard
National certification not required; multiple registration pathways available
Immunization administration NOT specifically authorized for pharmacy technicians
Board-approved program required (ASHP guidelines); pure OJT not accepted
20 CE hours per biennium: 2 law, 2 medication safety, 2 LGBTQ cultural competency
$50 criminal background name search required at every biennial renewal
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in District of Columbia
See how District of Columbia compares: Pharmacy Technician License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia verified against DC Board of Pharmacy / DC Health – Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA), March 2026.
Moving to District of Columbia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to District of Columbia →
Transfer your Pharmacy Technician license from District of Columbia to: Maryland → | Virginia →
District of Columbia does not require national certification to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician. All licensing is managed through the DC Board of Pharmacy / DC Health – Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.