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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $279+
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Certified (Certificate)
Credential Type
Yes
National Cert Required
No
Formal Program Required
$279+
Total Initial Fees
10 hrs
CE Hours
Annual; all certificates expire June 30; renewal cycle is May 1 – June 30 annually
Renewal Period
Get the Louisiana 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 (age 16 for jump start high school pathway).
Louisiana allows on-the-job training as an alternative to a formal program. You may train under a licensed pharmacist at an approved pharmacy.
Pass a national pharmacy technician certification exam. Louisiana accepts: PTCE (PTCB) or ExCPT (NHA). Must pass a board-approved exam within the 2-year Candidate registration period (PTCE accepted effective January 1, 2000; ExCPT accepted effective January 1, 2018). Exam fee: $129.
Complete criminal background check and fingerprinting and drug screening. Background check fee: Varies.
Submit your application to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. Application fee: $50. Registration fee: $100. Total initial fees: $279+.
Renew your registration every Annual; all certificates expire June 30; renewal cycle is May 1 – June 30 annually. 10 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Certified (Certificate)
Official Title
Pharmacy Technician Candidate and Certified Pharmacy Technician
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
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 (PTCB)
ExCPT (NHA)
Certification Deadline
Must pass a board-approved exam within the 2-year Candidate registration period (PTCE accepted effective January 1, 2000; ExCPT accepted effective January 1, 2018)
On-the-Job Training Alternative
OJT accepted as alternative to formal program
Formal Training Program
Required Training Hours
600 hours practical experience (employer-based) OR accredited program OR Jump Start high school program hours
Program Accreditation
Accredited program accepted as alternative to 600 hours practical; Jump Start high school pathway also available
Externship Requirement
Topics Covered
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PTCE (PTCB)
Format
Computer-based, multiple choice
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the PTCE (PTCB).
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 Candidate application fee paid to Louisiana Board of Pharmacy | $50 |
Registration Fee Certificate fee upon becoming Certified Pharmacy Technician | $100 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB; ExCPT exam fee is $125 (paid to NHA) | $129 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprint-based background check fee paid to vendor | Varies |
Total Initial Fees $50 Candidate application + $100 Certificate fee + $129 PTCE exam + fingerprinting fee | $279+ |
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Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties (Pharmacist Only)
Cannot Administer Immunizations
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified10
State CE Hours
20
PTCB Recert Hours
Annual; all certificates expire June 30; renewal cycle is May 1 – June 30 annually
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$50
Annual renewal fee; 1 hour sterile preparation CE required if applicable
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 Louisiana with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Louisiana uses 'Certified' rather than 'Registered' for its credential. The two-step process (Candidate 2-year / Certified) requires 600 hours of practical experience. A Jump Start high school pathway is available for age 16+. Technicians CANNOT administer immunizations. Initial costs are among the highest at $279+.
Louisiana uses 'Certified' rather than 'Registered' for its pharmacy technician credential
Two-step process: Pharmacy Technician Candidate (2-year period) then Certified Pharmacy Technician
600 hours of practical experience required (employer-based), or completion of accredited program, or Jump Start high school pathway
Jump Start pathway available for high school students age 16+
PTCE has been accepted since 2000; ExCPT accepted since 2018
Pharmacy technicians are NOT authorized to administer immunizations in Louisiana
4:1 ratio with maximum 2:1 Candidates
Highest initial cost among these states at $279+
Annual renewal with 10 CE hours per year (1 hour sterile preparation if applicable)
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Louisiana
See how Louisiana compares: Pharmacy Technician License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
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Calculate the return on investment for your pharmacy technician license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams.
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Pharmacy Technician requirements in Louisiana verified against Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, March 2026.
Moving to Louisiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to Louisiana →
Transfer your Pharmacy Technician license from Louisiana to: Arkansas → | Mississippi → | Texas →
Louisiana requires national certification (PTCE or ExCPT) to become a Pharmacy Technician Candidate and Certified Pharmacy Technician. All licensing is managed through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.