How to Become a Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

The short version

Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) generally involves three pieces, though the order can vary by state and employer: meet your state’s basic eligibility rules (usually a high school diploma or equivalent, and a minimum age), complete some form of pharmacy technician training, and pass a national certification exam — most commonly PTCB’s PTCE.

Some states also require you to register or get licensed with the state board of pharmacy, separately from national certification. That step is state-specific enough that it deserves its own research — see the CPhT certification requirements by state guide for what to check.

Step 1: Confirm your state’s eligibility rules

Before you spend time or money on training, check what your specific state actually requires. Some states require pharmacy technicians to register with the state board of pharmacy before they can even start working (sometimes as a trainee), while others don’t. Requirements — and how strictly they’re enforced — vary and change, so treat your state board’s own site as the source of truth, not a general article.

Common baseline requirements across states include being at least 18 (a few allow 17), holding a high school diploma or GED, and passing a criminal background check.

Step 2: Get trained

Training paths vary. Some pharmacy technicians complete a formal training program at a community college or vocational school, which usually includes coursework plus a practicum or externship. Others train on the job, particularly at retail pharmacies willing to hire and train entry-level staff, then sit for certification once they qualify.

Either path can lead to certification — what matters most for the PTCE itself is that you’ve actually covered the four domains it tests: Medications, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, Order Entry and Processing, and Federal Requirements.

Step 3: Pass the PTCE

PTCB’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is the most widely recognized national certification for pharmacy technicians. It’s 90 questions (80 scored, 10 unscored pretest questions), scored on a 1000–1600 scale with a passing score of 1400.

For the full breakdown of what’s tested and how, see the PTCB exam format reference. A different certification, NHA’s ExCPT, is also accepted in some states and by some employers — see the PTCB vs. ExCPT comparison if you’re deciding between the two.

Step 4: Register or license with your state (if required)

Once you’re certified, some states still require a separate registration or license to actually work as a pharmacy technician — this isn’t automatic just because you passed a national exam. Check your state board of pharmacy’s current requirements directly, since this is the step most likely to trip people up if they assume certification alone is enough.

Do I need a college degree to become a pharmacy technician?

No. Most pharmacy technicians qualify through a shorter training program or on-the-job training, not a college degree — though requirements vary by state and employer.

Is PTCB certification required in every state?

No. Requirements vary by state — some require national certification, some require state registration without requiring a specific certification, and some have lighter requirements. Confirm with your state board of pharmacy.

How long does it take to become a certified pharmacy technician?

It depends heavily on your training path and how quickly you complete state eligibility steps — there’s no single fixed timeline that applies to everyone.