How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Virginia

Checked against Virginia Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health Professions (DHP) · Verified 2026-10-14

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 1 years
State fee: Pharmacy technician trainee registration $30; pharmacy technician registration $40; annual technician renewal $45 (18VAC110-21-20, amended effective September 23, 2026). Late fee $15; reinstatement $50.
Regulated by: Virginia Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health Professions (DHP)

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Who can apply

To register as a pharmacy technician trainee you must be enrolled in a qualifying pharmacy technician training program.
To register as a pharmacy technician you must have completed a qualifying training program and passed a national certification exam given by PTCB or NHA.
Qualifying programs are ASHP/ACPE-accredited, accredited Virginia Department of Education Career and Technical Education programs, federal agency or military programs, or programs recognized by PTCB or NHA.
High school students under 18 in CTE pharmacy technician programs may register as trainees (Board FAQ).

Step by step

Enroll in a qualifying pharmacy technician training program.
Before doing any technician duties in a pharmacy, apply online for a pharmacy technician trainee registration ($30).
Complete the program's practical experience while a supervising pharmacist directly monitors you.
Pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) national certification exam.
Apply online for pharmacy technician registration ($40), with proof of training completion and your passing exam result.
Renew every year by December 31 ($45) and complete 5 contact hours of approved continuing education each calendar year.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Under Va. Code 54.1-3321 and 18VAC110-21-141, you must complete a training program that is ASHP/ACPE-accredited, an accredited Department of Education Career and Technical Education program, run by a federal agency or military branch, or recognized by PTCB or NHA. Since July 1, 2022 the Board no longer approves individual programs. The regulations do not set a minimum number of hours.

Exam: You must pass a national certification exam given by PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). Exam fees are paid directly to the exam provider. There is no separate state exam for technicians.

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What it costs in Virginia

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 registration (needed before doing technician duties during training)$30
Pharmacy technician training program (ASHP/ACPE, CTE, military, or PTCB/NHA-recognized)$
PTCE exam fee (PTCB); NHA's ExCPT is priced by NHA$129
Pharmacy technician registration$40

Estimated total in Virginia$199Plus 1 item with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

National certification exam fee (PTCB's PTCE $129 as of Oct 2026, or NHA's ExCPT priced by NHA), paid to the exam provider
Training program tuition (set by the program)
Continuing education course fees (set by providers)

Pay in Virginia

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What other sites get wrong about Virginia

Myth: Virginia does not require a pharmacy technician training program.

Fact: To register as a technician you must complete a qualifying training program (ASHP/ACPE, CTE, military, or PTCB/NHA-recognized) and pass the PTCB or NHA exam. source

Myth: Virginia's technician registration fee is $35, renewal is $35 and the trainee fee is $20.

Fact: Under 18VAC110-21-20 as amended effective September 23, 2026, the fees are $40 to register, $45 to renew each year, and $30 for a trainee registration. source

Once you're registered

Renewal: Technician registrations expire December 31 and renew every year for $45, with your NABP e-profile number. A technician first registered on or after July 1 does not renew until December 31 of the following year. You need 5 contact hours (0.5 CEUs) of approved CE each calendar year, from ACPE providers, certain Category 1 CME, or Board-approved programs; extra hours do not carry over. Up to 1 hour can come from volunteer technician work at a free clinic or health department (3 volunteer hours = 1 CE hour). Renewing within one year after expiration adds a $15 late fee; after one year you must apply for reinstatement ($50 plus the renewal fee). After five years you must pass PTCB or NHA again (unless still certified) and document 20 hours of CE.

Good to know in Virginia

Trainee registration rules: A trainee registration lasts no more than two years and cannot be renewed. It is valid only while you are enrolled and actively progressing in your program. If you leave or pause the program, return the registration to the Board right away; this preserves the time left on it.

No grace period for new hires: A new hire may not perform technician duties until a trainee registration has been issued. There is no inactive status for technician registrations.

Coming from another state: A technician who practiced in another U.S. jurisdiction may register by documenting that practice and having passed the PTCB or NHA national exam (18VAC110-21-141 C).

Free clinic registration: Technicians who work only in a free clinic pharmacy can get a limited-use registration with initial and renewal fees waived (Va. Code 54.1-3321 D).

Fees changed September 23, 2026: The Board's fee regulation was amended effective September 23, 2026. Current fees are $30 (trainee), $40 (technician) and $45 (annual renewal).

Trainee address changes: A pharmacy technician trainee must notify the Board in writing of any change in address of record within 14 days (18VAC110-21-135 D).

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Virginia Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health Professions (DHP) before you apply.