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Pharmacy Technician
Total cost: $204
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Licensed
Credential Type
Yes
National Cert Required
Yes
Formal Program Required
$204
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
1 year
Renewal Period
Get the Washington 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.
Complete an approved pharmacy technician training program. Program should be Board-approved training program required for Pharmacy Technician; OJT allowed for Pharmacy Assistant.
Pass a national pharmacy technician certification exam. Washington accepts: PTCE. PTCE required for Pharmacy Technician credential; Pharmacy Assistant does not require certification. Exam fee: $129.
Complete criminal background check.
Submit your application to the Washington Department of Health. Registration fee: $75. Total initial fees: $204.
Renew your license every 1 year. 20 CE hours required per renewal cycle. Renewal fee: $75.
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Licensed
Official Title
Pharmacy Assistant (uncertified) and Pharmacy Technician (certified)
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the Washington Department of Health
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
Certification Deadline
PTCE required for Pharmacy Technician credential; Pharmacy Assistant does not require certification
On-the-Job Training Alternative
OJT accepted as alternative to formal program
Formal Training Program
Program Accreditation
Board-approved training program required for Pharmacy Technician; OJT allowed for Pharmacy Assistant
Topics Covered
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PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam)
Questions
90 questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Format
Computer-based, multiple choice
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam).
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 |
|---|---|
Registration Fee Pharmacy Technician license fee paid to Washington Department of Health | $75 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB | $129 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total including $75 license fee and $129 PTCE exam fee (excludes training program costs and background check) | $204 |
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
1 year
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$75
Annual 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 Washington with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Washington uses a two-tier credential system: Pharmacy Assistant (no certification required, OJT) and Pharmacy Technician (PTCE required, formal training). Uniquely, Washington requires 1 hour of suicide prevention CE per renewal cycle. The state has eliminated the fixed technician-to-pharmacist ratio. Only the PTCE (not ExCPT) is accepted for the Technician credential.
Washington has a two-tier system: Pharmacy Assistant (uncertified) and Pharmacy Technician (certified)
Only PTCE is accepted for Pharmacy Technician credential (ExCPT not listed)
The technician-to-pharmacist ratio has been eliminated (no fixed ratio)
CE requirements include 2 hours of law, 2 hours of patient safety, and 1 hour of suicide prevention
The suicide prevention CE requirement is unique to Washington
Background check conducted through Washington State Patrol (WSP)
Annual renewal at $75 per year makes Washington one of the higher-cost states for ongoing fees
Pharmacy Technician requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Washington
See how Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Washington
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams.
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Pharmacy Technician requirements in Washington verified against Washington Department of Health, March 2026.
Moving to Washington? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Pharmacy Technician license to Washington →
Washington requires national certification (PTCE or ExCPT) to become a Pharmacy Assistant (uncertified) and Pharmacy Technician (certified). All licensing is managed through the Washington Department of Health.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.