Everything You Need to Know about the California Pharmacy Technician License

July 26, 2022

Are you planning to apply for a California pharmacy technician license? Are you passionate about becoming a pharmacy technician in the state of California, but are confused about the procedures to prepare and apply for a pharmacy technician license in the state? You are at the right place.

In this article, you will learn all the information you need to successfully go through the process. As a bonus, you will get Pharmacy Technician Certificate Board (PTCB) exam preparation guides and free practice tests to help you more effectively prepare for the exam.

Steps Involved in the California Pharmacy Technician License

STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

The first step is to verify if you are eligible to apply for the California pharmacy technician license. The eligibility requirements set by the California State Board of Pharmacy to apply for the pharmacy technician license are as follows:

Eligibility requirement for the California Pharmacy Technician License

The applicant must be 18 years old or above.
The candidate must have a valid social security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
The applicant must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
The candidate must undergo a criminal background check, which also includes fingerprint evaluation.
A passport photo with the candidate’s pharmacy technician license application.
The candidate must submit their application notarized with a mandatory application fee of $195.
A PTCB certificate is also required and the applicant must sign the notarized copy and submit it with their application

NOTE: The application fee of $195 is non-refundable.

STEP 2: APPLY FOR THE CALIFORNIA PHARMACY TECHNICIAN LICENSE EXAM

Once you know that you are eligible to apply for the California pharmacy technician license, the next step is to apply for the California State Board of Pharmacy Technician Exam.

To apply for the California State Board of Pharmacy Technician Exam, you must visit the official website and download the application form. On the official website, visit the Applicants section and download the application form from the Pharmacy Technician Application and Instructions section.

This article also includes a screenshot of the application to help you apply for the exam.

California pharmacy technician application form — Source: https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Here are a few things to consider when you apply for the State Board of Pharmacy Technician Exam.

It will take about 45 days for the board to process your application. You will be notified via mail by the board if your application is incomplete.
Do not contact the board to check the status of your application unless it has been on file for over 60 days.
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to receive the physical license via mail from the date the license was issued.
You will receive a “Deficiency Letter” via mail if your application is incomplete. You will have to submit any required documents within the next 60 days. If not submitted, you will have to file a new application with new fees and meet any new requirements at the time of re-application.

MISTAKES TO AVOID AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION

Some of the common mistakes you should avoid when you apply for the State Board of Pharmacy Technician Exam are as follows:

Make sure that the name on each form is exactly the same as the name on your identification card or driver’s license issued by the state. Your name must be the same on the following documents:

Self-query report.
Pharmacy technician application.
Request for fingerprint cards or live scan form.

You must sign the application form along with the date.
Do not leave any questions unanswered in the application form. You may mention “N/A” for the questions that do not apply to you.
Do not let your school fill out pages 1, 2, and 3 of your application form.

Be sure to follow all the instructions provided by the board when you fill out the application form.

STEP 3: PAY YOUR FEES

The next step is to pay the required fees for the board to further process your application. Go through the table mentioned below to find out the various fees provided by the State Board of Pharmacy for the California pharmacy technician license and exam program.

FEE TYPES	FEES
Pharmacy technician application	$195
License verification	$30
Duplicate/Replacement license	$45

California pharmacy technician license fee

CALIFORNIA PHARMACY TECHNICIAN LICENSE EXAM:

Once you have applied and paid the fees, the next step is to schedule and take the exam. To apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam, you must visit the official website of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Here are a few steps you should follow to apply for the PTCB exam:

Visit PTCB’s official website.
Apply for the exam by logging into your PTCB account. You may log in if you have an account already. If not, register and create an account.
Take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). PTCE is administered online and in testing facilities across the U.S. It is a computer-based exam.

PTCB home page — Source: https://www.ptcb.org/

Select the ‘Apply Now’ option, and you will be taken to the login page of the PTCB website.

PTCB login page — Source: https://www.ptcb.org/

WHAT’S NEXT:

Once you have taken and cleared the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), you are now eligible to apply for the California pharmacy technician license.

To check if the board has issued your license, visit the official website of the California State Board of Pharmacy. Select ‘Verify a License’ and enter the required details. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to receive the physical license via mail from the date the license was issued.

You may also visit the License Verification page directly. The California State Board of Pharmacy offers written verification of a California pharmacy technician license. You must pay a fee of $30 to process your request for license verification. Make money orders or checks payable to the California State Board of Pharmacy.

NOTE: The license verification fee is non-refundable.

The board processes the request in the order it is received and it is processed within 30 days upon the receipt of the request and payment.

Wrapping Up

Pharmacy technician is a growing industry with a large scope and job opportunities in the country. It is important to earn a pharmacy technician certification and license, as that will help you start your career as a pharmacy technician in the industry.

To learn more about what a pharmacy technician does in a day, you may check out the article, A day in the Life of a Pharmacy Technician. You can grow in this career as you gain experience and knowledge in the pharmacy technician field. The demand for pharmacy technicians is also high, considering the current situation.

If you are passionate about becoming a pharmacy technician, you can check out our PTCB exam guide to help know about the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions about the California Pharmacy Technician License Exams:

How do I become a pharmacy technician in California?

To become a pharmacy technician in the state of California, you must meet the following eligibility requirements set by the state:

Must be 18 years old or above.
Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Have a PTCB certification.
Have a clear criminal background check.
Must have earned a degree/training from a school recognized by the board.

Does California require pharmacy technicians to be licensed?

Yes. You must have a valid and unexpired pharmacy technician license to practice as a pharmacy technician in California.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in California?

Generally, it takes from about 9 months to 2 years to complete pharmacy technician training. Certified programs take about a year or less to complete an associate degree programs take about 2 years to complete. The duration depends on the school and the program you choose.

How much is a pharmacy technician license in California?

In California, the pharmacy technician application fee is $195 and the license verification fee is $30.

What can a pharmacy technician do and not do?

There are certain things a pharmacy technician can and cannot do. Here are some of the duties a pharmacy technician can do:

Assist pharmacists in distributing medications to patients.
Measure and process orders for patients per prescription.
Handle calls with customers.
Inventory management.

Here are a few duties a pharmacy technician cannot do:

Dispense any medication without a pharmacist’s approval.
Should not consult patients regarding their medications.

Is the pharmacy technician test hard?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam can be a bit tough. But preparing for the exam using the right tools is the key to success. You can prepare for the PTCB exam by trying our free practice test.

What’s the difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy assistant?

Pharmacy technicians play a supportive role in the pharmacy in terms of handling prescription accuracy, inventory management, and customer services. They measure medications and process orders for patients according to the prescription.

Pharmacy assistants have a similar role to pharmacy technicians. They assist with daily pharmacy activities. They also handle duties like answering phone calls, stocking shelves, and handling transactions.