Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Louisiana takes two steps. First, you register with the state as a Pharmacy Technician Candidate, which allows you to train in a pharmacy. After they finish training and pass a national exam, they apply for a Pharmacy Technician Certificate. This lets them work independently as a certified pharmacy technician. Below are the requirements for each step, plus the fees and deadlines candidates should know. For pay and job outlook, see the full guide on how to get a pharmacy technician certification.
Key Takeaways
- Candidates must be at least 18, or 16 if enrolled in a Louisiana Department of Education program.
- Every applicant must complete background checks through the Louisiana State Police and the FBI.
- The $50 Candidate Registration expires after 24 months and cannot be renewed, so training and the exam must be completed within that time.
- The $100 full certificate requires completed training and a passing score on the PTCE or ExCPT.
- Certificates expire every June 30 and must be renewed between May 1 and June 30.
Steps to Meet Louisiana’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements
Step 1: Choose a Training Path
The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (LABP) offers three paths:
- Option A: Age 18 or older and enrolled in a school program that is approved by the Board and has national accreditation
- Option B: Age 16 or older and enrolled in a pharmacy technician program through the Louisiana Department of Education
- Option C: Age 18 or older and trained on the job by a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist, using Form 034
| Option A School program |
Option B High school program |
Option C On-the-job training |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Students in a Board-approved school program with national accreditation | Students in a Louisiana Department of Education pharmacy technician program | Workers trained by a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist |
| Minimum age | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Required work hours | Set by the school program | At least 600 hours in a Louisiana pharmacy | At least 600 hours in a Louisiana pharmacy |
| Proof sent to the Board | The school sends proof the student finished | A pharmacist signs a form confirming the hours | A pharmacist signs a form confirming the training |
For Options B and C, no more than 50 hours count per week. All candidates must be at least 18 to apply for the full certificate.
Source: Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
Step 2: Apply for Candidate Registration
Applicants apply through the LABP Online Services Portal and pay a $50 fee. They must send proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport. They also need their Social Security card, a passport-style photo, and a signed Electronic Business Statement. This form lets the Board do business with them online. The Board usually sends the registration within 14 business days after it receives everything.
Once registered, a candidate can assist in a pharmacy while a Louisiana-licensed pharmacist watches over the work. Students in a school program can start their classes and lab work first. They need the registration before they start work at a pharmacy.
The registration ends after 24 months and cannot be renewed. A candidate who does not earn the full certificate in that time must start over.
Step 3: Complete Background Checks
After the LABP receives the application, they send steps for two background checks. One is through the Louisiana State Police, and the other is through the FBI. Anyone who reports a past crime or other action must include a letter of explanation and court records. The Board can deny an application based on criminal history.
Step 4: Finish Training and Prove Work Hours
Before applying for the full certificate, candidates must show the Board that they finished their training and work hours. How they do this depends on their training path. For Option A, the number of hours is set by the school program, and the school sends proof that the student finished. Options B and C require at least 600 hours of work in a Louisiana pharmacy, with no more than 50 hours counted per week. A pharmacist must sign a form to confirm these hours.
Step 5: Pass a National Exam
Candidates must pass one of two exams. The PTCE is given by PTCB and costs $129, while the ExCPT is given by the NHA (National Healthcareer Association).
Step 6: Apply for the Full Certificate
After passing the exam, the candidate applies to the Board for the full certificate. The fee is $100, and the applicant must be at least 18.
Keeping a Louisiana Certificate Active
Every certificate expires at midnight on June 30 each year, and pharmacy technicians can renew from May 1 through June 30. A certificate that is not renewed on time is no longer valid, and getting it back takes extra fees and paperwork. Starting with their second renewal, pharmacy technicians must also take at least 10 hours of classes each year to keep their skills current.
Why a Board-Approved School Program Is the Most Direct Path
With Option A, the school tells the Board when a student enrolls and sends proof when the student finishes. This means less paperwork, and the student does not need to track work hours on their own.
Ayers Career College in Shreveport has trained students since 1953 and is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Its Pharmacy Technician program in Shreveport is also approved by ASHP and ACPE. These two national groups set the rules for pharmacy training. In 36 weeks, students learn pharmacy math, drug safety, pharmacy law, and insurance claims. They also get hands-on lab work and train at a local pharmacy. The college also offers financial aid options and job placement support.
For questions about the program, call 1-800-317-0131 or contact the admissions team. Students can also schedule a campus visit or check upcoming class start dates.
FAQs
Can someone become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana with a misdemeanor?
Yes, it is possible. The Board looks at each case on its own, but hiding a past crime can hurt a person’s chances.
Can someone become a certified pharmacy technician fully online in Louisiana?
Not fully. Coursework may be online, but Louisiana still requires hands-on pharmacy experience under a licensed pharmacist.
Which exam should a candidate take, the PTCE or the ExCPT?
Either exam meets the state rule. Most candidates take the one their school prepares them for, and Ayers Career College prepares students for the PTCE.
Can a pharmacy technician from another state skip the candidate step?
Yes, in some cases. A pharmacy technician who has held an active license or certificate in another state for at least one year can apply right away for the Louisiana certificate.
Is financial aid available for pharmacy technician training?
Yes, for those who qualify. Ayers Career College accepts Pell Grants, federal loans, WIOA, TRA, and all six VA GI Bill chapters.