Pharmacy Tech License Renewal Basics
How often do you have to renew pharmacy tech licenses, and what does the process involve? One challenging aspect of knowing how to renew your pharmacy tech license is that your state will have specific renewal guidelines you’ll have to follow.
In certain states, you may need to complete a certain number of cultural competency course hours. In others, there may be fingerprint requirements.
The deadlines can also vary. To make sure you don’t miss the filing deadline and you know exactly what documents you’ll need to provide and courses to take, check your state’s pharmacy board website.
That’s just for state renewals, however. There are national requirements you must meet, too.
If you obtained certification by passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), or by passing the National Healthcareer Association’s Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, there are specific requirements for maintaining your credentials.
You’ll have to complete continuing education (CE) credits and pay a fee. The recertification fees can range from $55 to $129, depending on your exact credentials.
How often do you have to renew pharmacy tech licenses? The renewal process occurs every one to three. You will not always receive notice that your license is about to expire, however, so it’s up to you to keep track of when the renewal is necessary.
Continuing Education Requirements
The majority of states require CE credits to renew your license. Typically, you’ll need 20 hours, including one hour on pharmacy law and another hour on patient safety.
If you have additional credentials, the requirements can be a bit different. For example, if you’re an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician, you will need to complete 25 hours of CE. Ten of these hours have to be pharmacist-specific, while 15 of them have to be technician-specific.
The deadlines for submitting all the documentation that shows you completed your CE credits can vary from one state to the next. However, you will need to report the CE hours before attempting to renew your credentials.
When getting ready for the renewal process, you’ll need to gather a few documents. You must have a valid ID, along with paperwork that shows you completed the CE hours. Not all states require that you present proof of CE up front, but you need to have these documents on hand in case you’re asked for further information.
You’ll typically also have to present proof of employment. You could present pay stubs or taxes, but the majority of states ask for an employment verification letter.
Take your time filling out the application form. Any mistake can get the renewal denied, in which case, you’ll have to go through a longer process and pay more fees.
Renewal Steps
To renew your credentials, you will need to:
- Log CE Credits: Ensure all of your credits have been reported
- Complete Online Renewal: Go to your state’s pharmacy board website and begin the online renewal process
- Pay Fees: Pay the fees online by using a credit card, or print out the form and mail in the payment via a cashier’s check or money order
- Confirming License Status: Check that you’ve met all the requirements and nothing is missing, while also keeping an eye on the renewal process
The processing time for the renewal can vary. It could take between two weeks and a month.
Avoiding Lapses
States typically offer grace periods for renewing your license. The exact additional time you may have will depend on your state. California, for example, gives you up to 90 days after the license’s official expiration date to renew it. Always check with your state’s licensing board before assuming that you have a grace period.
If a license expires, you may have to pay a late fee to have it renewed, or you may have to go through the reinstatement process. Sometimes, you may need to complete additional CE credits if it’s been a few months since the license expired.
In certain states, you may be able to renew your license online after it has expired, but some require that you fill out and mail the forms.
To reinstate a lapsed license, you will need to act quickly. You typically only have one year from its expiration to do so. Otherwise, you will have to go through the entire licensing process again.
Keep Your License Active With Convenient CE From RxCe
Remember that the answer to “How often do you have to renew pharmacy tech licenses?” depends on your state. By checking with the appropriate pharmacy boards, you can start preparing to meet all the requirements necessary for renewal.
One of the most important things to look into is how to obtain convenient and affordable CE credits. At RxCe, that is what we offer. We have an array of online courses that will help you meet all the renewal requirements, no matter what your exact credentials are.
If you’re preparing for your license’s renewal, don’t wait to find appropriate CE credits. Get started by looking through our courses for the right options.
*In addition to being accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), RxCe has also achieved joint accreditation for continuing education for physicians and physician assistants. Stay tuned for joint accreditation articles over the next few months!
