Arizona Licensure Requirements
When considering how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona, one of the first things to know is that you will need to obtain a license from the Arizona Board of Pharmacy. There are some specific requirements you must meet to do this, beginning with being at least 18. You must also have a high school diploma or GED.
Arizona requires that you pass a certification exam before you can receive your license. This means completing an approved program from a vocational college, community college, or online provider. These programs will cover all the skills and knowledge that you will need to pass a certification exam.
Once you have passed the exam, you can apply for your license online via the Arizona Board of Pharmacy website or complete the application on paper and mail it in.
Currently, the application fee is $82. For a paper application, you can pay the fee via a money order or check. If you choose to complete the application online, you’ll be able to pay with a debit or credit card. You’ll also need to pass a background check and provide your fingerprints.
Recap of Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Obtain certification through PTCB or NHA
- Pass a background check and provide fingerprints
- Apply for your license through the Arizona Board of Pharmacy
Certification and Training Options
When considering how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona, one of the factors that many people worry about is the certification exam. There are two exam options you can take.
One is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The test is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), and it's a 90-question assessment on the computer that takes about two hours to complete.
The PTCE covers four key areas, starting with medications. You will need to have knowledge of common generic and brand-name drugs.
You’ll also be tested on federal requirements, such as how to handle controlled substances. Thirdly, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in patient safety and quality assurance. The final section deals with order entry and processing.
To be eligible to take the PTCE, you must live in the United States or its territories and complete an approved training program. Alternatively, you can take the exam if you have completed 500 hours of experience working as a pharmacy tech. It’s possible to take the test in person at a facility or online with a proctor. Currently, you have to pay a fee of $129.
If you’re looking for how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona without taking the PTCE, you have the option of obtaining certification via the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) exam. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers this test.
To become a certified pharmacy tech with this exam, you must have completed a training program or have 1,200 hours of work experience. The test takes about two hours and 10 minutes.
The ExCPT focuses on the general duties of a pharmacy technician, matters regarding controlled substances, and laws and regulations that refer to the job. There’s a fee of $125.
One of the biggest differences between the ExCPT and the PTCE is that the latter is recognized in all 50 states. That’s not the case with the ExCPT. Indiana, Wyoming, and Louisiana don’t accept the ExCPT, but Arizona does.
Maintaining and Renewing Your License
Another thing to remember when researching how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona is that you’ll have to renew your license. To do this, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years.
Three of those hours have to be on opioid, addiction, or substance use disorder topics. If you work in remote dispensing, two hours of CE have to be on that. If you plan to work in a setting that administers immunizations, two hours are required for that. It’s possible to complete all of these hours online. To track the hours you complete, most CE platforms report them automatically to your National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) e-profile.
You can file your renewal application through the Arizona Board of Pharmacy website. You’ll have to pay a $72 fee.
Career Growth Opportunities in Arizona
As you consider how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona, finding career growth opportunities could be on your mind. You have many options to choose from in the state.
For example, you can look at the various work settings for pharmacy techs you could have access to, beginning with community pharmacies and long-term care facilities. Hospital jobs tend to be particularly competitive, so you can give yourself the chance to stand out by specializing. Pharmacy tech specializations offer you the opportunity to focus on oncology, nuclear medicine, or compounding.
With specializations, you can climb the career ladder to become a lead pharmacy tech. Not only will you have more responsibilities, but you can make more significant salaries. Specializations can make you much more attractive to potential employers, so it’s a key option to consider.
Keep Your Arizona Pharmacy Tech License Active With RxCe
Understanding the process of how to become a pharmacy tech in Arizona is only the beginning of this exciting career path. Having a reliable way of maintaining your license is also essential. This means finding the right continuing education courses that you can take to maintain certification.
At RxCe, we provide a wide variety of CE courses that are affordable and convenient. We track and report the credits diligently so that you can always renew your license on time and with minimal stress.
Becoming a pharmacy tech can be a rewarding way of making a living, and we can help you achieve your goals. Explore our courses to find the options you need to stay current and meet your PTCB renewal requirements today.
*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!
