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How to become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee. National certification not required. On-the-job training may be accepted. Total initial fees: $60. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Pharmacy Technician
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
52% of data points are verified against official sources. 14 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Registered
Credential Type
No
National Cert Required
No
Formal Program Required
$60
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
2 years
Renewal Period
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Registered
Official Title
Registered Pharmacy Technician
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Drug Screening
Immunization Requirements
Pharmacist supervision required
YesTechnician-to-Pharmacist Ratio
National Certification Required
Accepted Certification Exams
PTCE
from PTCB · $129
ExCPT
from NHA
Certification Deadline
Not required for basic registration; certification optional but expands scope
On-the-Job Training Alternative
OJT accepted as alternative to formal program
Formal Training Program
Topics Covered
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee plus TBI background check fee | $60 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB (optional for basic registration); ExCPT exam fee is $115 (paid to NHA) | $129 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for basic registration including application and TBI background check; add $129 if pursuing PTCE certification | $60 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly verifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties (Pharmacist Only)
Can Administer Immunizations
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified20
State CE Hours
20
PTCB Recert Hours
2 years
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$50
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
Mostly 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.
Tennessee uses a tiered scope-of-practice model where nationally certified pharmacy technicians enjoy significantly expanded roles and higher technician-to-pharmacist ratios compared to non-certified technicians. The base ratio is 4:1 for non-certified techs. Background checks are conducted through the TBI rather than FBI.
Tennessee does NOT require national certification for basic pharmacy technician registration
Certified pharmacy technicians have significantly expanded scope of practice compared to non-certified
The technician-to-pharmacist ratio is 4:1 for non-certified technicians with higher ratios for certified
Background check is conducted through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
Biennial renewal requires 20 CE hours for certified technicians; state CE requirements vary for non-certified
Tennessee uses a tiered scope model where certification unlocks additional responsibilities
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Tennessee.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Cost
#14 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052)
Entry Level
$36,210
25th percentile
Median
$38,130
-12% vs. national avg ($43,460)Experienced
$45,380
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
12,350 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Pharmacy Technicians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+2.7%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+12,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
46,200
per year (avg.)
461,400 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Pharmacy Career Ladder+244% salary growth potential
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Pharmacy Technician
$38,130
Training program + PTCB/ExCPT certification
You are here
Pharmacy Technician
Training program + PTCB/ExCPT certification
$38,130
PharmD degree (4 years) + NAPLEX + MPJE
$131,290
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 32–62 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams.
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Tennessee does not require national certification to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician. All licensing is managed through the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.