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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $60
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
No
Formal Program Required
$60
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Period
Get the Tennessee 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.
Tennessee allows on-the-job training as an alternative to a formal program. You may train under a licensed pharmacist at an approved pharmacy.
Complete criminal background check.
Submit your application to the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Application fee: $60. Total initial fees: $60.
Renew your registration every 2 years (biennial). 20 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $50.
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
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 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
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Study Materials & Exam Prep — ExCPT Pharmacy Technician Exam
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| 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 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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 (biennial)
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Tennessee
See how Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Tennessee
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 Tennessee verified against Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, March 2026.
Moving to Tennessee? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to Tennessee →
Transfer your Pharmacy Technician license from Tennessee to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Georgia → | Kentucky → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | North Carolina → | Virginia →
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.