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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $30
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Registered
Credential Type
No
National Cert Required
Yes
Formal Program Required
$30
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
Get the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Technician Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or ged (age 17+).
Complete an approved pharmacy technician training program. Program should be Board-approved training program required.
Complete criminal background check.
Submit your application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (via PALS). Registration fee: $30. Total initial fees: $30.
Renew your registration every 2 years (biennial). 20 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $70.
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Registered
Official Title
Registered Pharmacy Technician
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (via PALS)
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Drug Screening
Immunization Requirements
Pharmacist supervision required
YesNot 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
National certification not required under the new registration system
On-the-Job Training Alternative
Formal program or certification required
Formal Training Program
Program Accreditation
Board-approved training program required
Topics Covered
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Study Materials & Exam Prep — ExCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Registration Fee Pharmacy technician registration fee ($30); trainee registration fee is $15 | $30 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB; national certification not required; ExCPT exam fee is $125 (paid to NHA) | $129 |
Total Initial Fees Technician registration $30 (trainee $15); national certification is not required | $30 |
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
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$70
Biennial renewal fee
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 Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Brand new registration system effective June 28, 2025 (Act 140 of 2020). Prior to this date, PA did not register pharmacy technicians. Requires Board-approved training program, 3 hrs child abuse recognition training (unique to PA), state and federal background check. Grandfathering for those who worked ≥1 year between Jan 29, 2019–Jan 29, 2021. Initial fee $30 (technician)/$15 (trainee), biennial renewal $70. Deadline to register: June 28, 2026.
Pennsylvania's pharmacy technician registration system is brand new as of June 28, 2025. Prior to this date, PA did not register pharmacy technicians.
Act 140 of 2020 established registration; effective date June 28, 2025. Deadline to register: June 28, 2026.
Initial registration fee: $30 (technician), $15 (trainee). Biennial renewal: $70.
Requires Board-approved training program, HS diploma/GED (age 17+), state and federal criminal background check, 3 hours child abuse recognition training.
Grandfathering: Individuals who worked as pharmacy technicians for at least 1 year between January 29, 2019 and January 29, 2021 may qualify without completing a Board-approved training program.
National certification is NOT required under the new system
Mandatory child abuse recognition training (3 hours) is a unique Pennsylvania requirement
Pharmacy technicians are NOT authorized to administer immunizations under state law
Contact: (717) 783-7156
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Pennsylvania
See how Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (via PALS), March 2026.
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your Pharmacy Technician license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →
Pennsylvania does not require national certification to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician. All licensing is managed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (via PALS).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.