How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Maine

Checked against Maine Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) · Verified 2026-10-14

Exam: Not required
Training: Required
Term: All pharmacy technician licenses expire December 31 each year.
State fee: $20 pharmacy technician license fee plus a $21 criminal background check fee. OPOR's fee rule (Chapter 10) lists the technician fee as $20 for a 1-year license and says that fee applies to renewals too, while the Board's license page describes a one-time initial fee with annual renewal at no cost. The late renewal fee is $50.
Regulated by: Maine Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation)

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Who can apply

Provide verification of every professional or occupational license you have held in any state.
The Board may refuse a license if your technician license or registration was denied, revoked, suspended or restricted elsewhere for discipline.
The Board may refuse a license for a conviction for a crime involving alcohol or drugs, unless it waives that after reviewing evidence.
Pay for the criminal background check ($21).

Step by step

Apply online (or on the paper application) for a Pharmacy Technician license.
Pay the $20 license fee and the $21 criminal background check fee.
Wait for the Board to issue your license; you may not start training or employment as a technician before it is issued.
Complete your pharmacy's technician training program, given or overseen by the pharmacist in charge.
Renew every year by December 31.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Each pharmacy that employs technicians must have a training program, keep it on site and give it to the Board on request. The pharmacist in charge (or another designated Maine pharmacist) trains each technician under it, including what only a pharmacist may do. The Board sets no minimum hours. Technicians who want the Board's certificate to give vaccines need 6 hours of ACPE-approved vaccine training.

Exam: No state exam and no national certification exam is required for a Maine pharmacy technician license.

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What it costs in Maine

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

Pharmacy technician license$20
Criminal background check$21
PTCE exam fee (PTCB), optional because Maine does not require certification$129

Estimated total in Maine$41

Cost details from the state

$50 late fee if you renew after December 31 (within 90 days)

Pay in Maine

Before you compare job offers, see what a paycheck takes home in Maine after taxes.

Starting out on an entry-level wage? Check the SNAP income limits in Maine by household size.

What other sites get wrong about Maine

Myth: Maine charges a $25 non-refundable application fee for pharmacy technicians.

Fact: The Maine Board of Pharmacy lists a $20 pharmacy technician license fee plus a $21 criminal background check fee. source

Myth: Maine pharmacy technicians must be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.

Fact: Maine's technician rule (Board Rule Chapter 7) lists no minimum age or diploma; qualifications cover license verification, prior discipline and drug- or alcohol-related convictions. source

Once you're registered

Renewal: Licenses expire December 31 every year and are renewed online. Renewal reminders are emailed at least 30 days before expiration. You can renew up to 90 days late with a $50 late fee; after 90 days you must reapply as a new applicant. The Board's technician page and Chapter 7 list no continuing education requirement for technicians. Sources conflict on the renewal fee: OPOR Chapter 10 lists $20 per year, while the Board's license page says renewal is at no cost.

Good to know in Maine

No work before the license: You may not begin training or working as a pharmacy technician until the Board has issued your license.

Incomplete applications: Applications that stay incomplete for more than 60 days are discarded.

Report changes: Tell the Board of a change in work site, leaving technician work, or a new contact address within 10 days.

Giving vaccines: A licensed technician may apply for the Board's certificate to administer vaccines after 6 hours of ACPE-approved vaccine training; the certificate expires each December 31 and requires direct supervision by a pharmacist certified to give vaccines.

Opioid treatment program nurses: Licensed nurses (APRN, RN or LPN) employed by an opioid treatment program pay no technician license fee.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Maine Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation) before you apply.