How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Utah

Checked against Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), with the Utah Board of Pharmacy · Verified 2026-10-14

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: DOPL's current fee schedule: technician application $60, renewal $57; trainee application $50, renewal $50. DOPL's paper technician application (version 2025-06-12) lists a $95 application-processing fee, and the trainee paper application lists $50. Online payments add a processing fee.
Regulated by: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), with the Utah Board of Pharmacy

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Who can apply

Trainee: be enrolled in an approved pharmacy technician training program.
Trainee: if you are 18 or older, submit an original hard-copy criminal history report from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Technician: finish an approved training program, including at least 180 hours of supervised practical training while licensed as a trainee.
Technician: pass the PTCB or ExCPT exam and hold an active certificate.
Technician: submit fingerprints for a Utah BCI and FBI background check.
Have no physical or mental condition that would keep you from practicing safely.

Step by step

Enroll in an approved pharmacy technician training program.
Apply for a Pharmacy Technician Trainee license (online or on paper) and pay the trainee fee; include a BCI criminal history report if you are 18 or older.
Complete at least 180 hours of directly supervised practical training in a licensed pharmacy while licensed as a trainee.
Pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT exam; training and the exam must be done within 2 years of getting your trainee license.
Apply for the Pharmacy Technician license with fingerprints, your program's certificate of completion, the Affidavit of Practical Training and a copy of your current certification.
Renew by September 30 of each odd-numbered year with 20 CE hours or an active PTCB/ExCPT certification.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: The training program must be accredited by ASHP or ABHES, approved by DOPL with the Board, or run by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It must include at least 180 hours of directly supervised practical training in a licensed pharmacy, done while you hold a trainee license (R156-17b-303a). If you do not finish the program and pass the exam within 2 years of getting your trainee license, you must repeat the whole program, unless DOPL approves an exception for good cause.

Exam: You must pass the PTCB exam (PTCE) or NHA's ExCPT with the passing score set by that organization, and your certificate must be active when you apply (R156-17b-303c). There is no separate state exam for technicians. Trainees must pass within 2 years of getting the trainee license.

Practice for the PTCE (PTCB) exam free — medications, federal requirements, patient safety and order entry →

What it costs in Utah

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

Pharmacy technician trainee license$50
Approved training program tuition$
Utah BCI criminal history report (trainees 18 or older)$
PTCE exam fee (PTCB); NHA's ExCPT is priced by NHA$129
Fingerprinting for BCI/FBI background check$
Pharmacy technician license: DOPL's fee schedule lists $60, while its paper application (v20250612) lists $95$

Estimated total in Utah$179Plus 4 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Utah BCI criminal history report for trainees 18 or older (fee not published by DOPL)
Fingerprinting for the BCI/FBI check at an approved location (fee not published by DOPL)
Training program tuition (set by the program)
PTCE exam fee (PTCB lists $129 as of Oct 2026) or ExCPT fee set by NHA
Online card payments: a small flat fee under $100 or up to 3% for $100 or more

Help while you start out in Utah

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

What other sites get wrong about Utah

Myth: A Utah pharmacy technician application must be notarized and include a passport photo.

Fact: DOPL's paper technician application is signed under criminal penalty of Utah law and requires fingerprints; it does not ask for a notary or a photo. source

Once you're registered

Renewal: Technician licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years. DOPL mails a notice at least 60 days before. To renew you need either 20 CE hours (including 6 live or technology-enabled hours and 1 hour of pharmacy law or ethics, plus 2 vaccine hours if you give vaccines) or an active PTCB or ExCPT certification, which covers all CE except the vaccine hours. CE is reduced proportionally if you were first licensed mid-cycle. Renewal is $57 on DOPL's current fee schedule.

Good to know in Utah

Two-year trainee clock: A trainee who doesn't finish training and pass PTCB or ExCPT within 2 years must repeat the training program in its entirety to become a technician, unless DOPL grants an exception.

Coming from another state: If you are licensed in a state DOPL finds equivalent, you may qualify by endorsement. Otherwise, 1,000 hours of technician practice in the past two years plus current PTCB or ExCPT certification can satisfy the training and exam requirements.

Fee conflict: DOPL's online fee schedule lists a $60 technician application fee, while its paper technician application (2025) lists $95. Check the amount shown when you apply.

Trainee BCI report must be original: Trainees 18 or older must submit the Utah BCI criminal history report as an original hard copy; electronic copies attached to the application are not accepted.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), with the Utah Board of Pharmacy before you apply.