How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in California

Who can apply

• Be a high school graduate or have a GED or equivalent (HiSET, TASC, CHSPE, or a foreign diploma).
• Meet one qualifying method: approved training, PTCB or ExCPT certification, or military pharmacy technician training.
• Provide a U.S. Social Security number or ITIN.
• Complete a DOJ and FBI fingerprint background check (Live Scan for California residents).
• Submit a sealed Self-Query Report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) dated within 60 days.

Step by step

1. Qualify through one route: an associate degree in pharmacy technology, a course of at least 240 hours of instruction, an ASHP-accredited course, an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school degree, PTCB or ExCPT certification, or military technician training.
2. Download the Pharmacy Technician application packet and fill out every page yourself.
3. Attach a 2x2 color photo, your diploma or GED proof, and proof of your qualifying method.
4. Order a sealed NPDB Self-Query Report.
5. Get fingerprinted by Live Scan (California residents) or on Board-issued fingerprint cards (out of state), and attach the receipt or cards.
6. Mail the application with the $120 fee to the Board.
7. Answer any deficiency notice within 60 days. Allow about 30 days for processing.
8. Renew every two years.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Training is one of several qualifying routes, not mandatory: an associate degree in pharmacy technology, any course of at least 240 hours of instruction under 16 CCR 1793.6(c), an ASHP-accredited course, or graduation from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school. PTCB/ExCPT certification or military training can be used instead.

Exam: Not required. PTCB certification, or ExCPT certification dated on or after January 1, 2017, is one way to qualify instead of training. No state exam.

What it costs in California

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

The Board of Pharmacy's application packet says to allow 30 days for it to process your application (its website says 45 days), and the license can take four to six weeks to arrive after it is issued.

What other sites get wrong about California

Once you're registered

Renewal: Renew every two years; the renewal fee is $150. If the license has already expired, a $75 delinquency fee is added on top of the renewal fee (effective January 1, 2025). Since January 1, 2024, technicians must complete at least 1 hour of approved cultural competency training in the two years before renewing. A license not renewed within 90 days after it expires is cancelled.

Good to know in California

Cancelled after 90 days: If you do not renew within 90 days after expiration, the license is cancelled and you must submit a brand-new application under the rules then in effect.

Sources

• California Board of Pharmacy - Pharmacy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician application packet 17A-7 (rev 1/2025)
• Pharmacy Technician renewal
• Order of Adoption - 16 CCR 1749(c) technician fees
• Initial Statement of Reasons - technician fees
• California Board of Pharmacy - Fee Schedule
• NPDB - Billing and fees (Self-Query $3)
• PTCB - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and PTCE fee