As a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you understand the importance of staying up to date with new developments in the field. Not only is continuing education essential to good practice, but many states and certification organizations require it to maintain your credentials.
Are you wondering about the state CE requirements for pharmacy technicians and pharmacists? Each state board has unique demands, and it’s crucial to understand the rules in your jurisdiction. This resource will help you learn what you need to renew your license so you can stay on track toward your professional goals.
*Author note: There are additional new state-specific CE requirements that are currently in progress and are not yet embedded in the established laws. In multiple states (not all), pharmacists may prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptives after completing additional continuing education. Make sure to keep an eye on your state's requirements in the coming months!
Alabama
Pharmacy Tech
Alabama pharmacy technicians must meet the following criteria for continuing education courses:
- Three hours per year (six hours total per two-year renewal cycle)
- One hour per year must be completed with live instruction
CE hours can be completed at any time during the two-year renewal cycle. These CE requirements can be waived for those renewing for the first time if the renewal is within 12 months of initial licensure.
Pharmacist
Alabama pharmacists must complete:
- 15 hours per year (30 hours total per two-year renewal cycle)
- Three hours per year must be completed with live instruction
There are also additional requirements for those with specialist certifications. Those with immunizer, preceptor, nuclear, and parenteral pharmacist certifications must complete two CE hours of related coursework per renewal cycle. Pharmacist consultants must complete eight live hours per cycle.
Alaska
Pharmacy Tech
Alaska pharmacy technicians are required to complete 10 hours of CE every two years, with no live CE requirement. All hours must be completed by June 30 of even-numbered years.
Pharmacist
Alaska pharmacists must complete 30 hours of CE every two years. Similar to pharmacy technicians, there is no requirement for live CE hours, so all courses can be home study and completed at your convenience.
If you are authorized to complete immunizations, at least one of your CE hours must be devoted to that topic during each renewal cycle. All hours must be completed by June 30 of each even-numbered year.
Arizona
Pharmacy Tech
When it comes to pharmacy tech CE requirements by state, Arizona requires more than many others.
Pharmacy technicians in Arizona are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education courses every two years. The courses must be completed by November 1 of the year you need to renew your license, and all 20 hours may be self-paced online courses.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists in Arizona are required to complete 30 hours every two years, including:
- 27 hours on topics of your choosing
- Three hours of opioid, controlled substance, or addiction-related topics
- Two hours of immunization courses for authorized immunizers
- Two hours of tobacco cessation courses for those authorized to dispense these medications
- Three hours of self-administered hormonal contraceptive-related courses for those authorized to dispense them
All continuing education courses must be completed by November 1 of your renewal year. However, there is no live course requirement.
Arkansas
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Arkansas are required to renew their licenses by December 31 every two years after they are issued. While there are no CE course requirements at the state level, certified technicians will still need CE hours to maintain their credentials.
Both the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) require 20 CE hours every two years to renew the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification.
Pharmacist
Arkansas’ rigorous requirements include 30 continuing education course hours. This includes:
- 18 hours on topics of your choosing
- 12 hours of live instruction
- Two hours of immunization courses for authorized pharmacists
All courses are to be completed by December 31 of odd-numbered years.
California
Pharmacy Tech
As of January 2024, all pharmacy technicians in California are required to participate in one hour of cultural competency CE every two years. In addition to this requirement, those who hold a CPhT from either the PTCB or the NHA must complete 20 hours of CE courses to maintain the credential.
Pharmacist
With regard to pharmacist CE requirements by state, California has very specific demands. These include:
- 27 hours of general CE on various topics
- One hour of cultural competency courses
- Two hours of law and ethics courses
- One hour of immunization and vaccine courses (for those authorized to administer them)
- Two hours of travel medication-related courses (for those authorized to dispense)
- 10 hours of advanced practice courses (if applicable)
There is no live course requirement. However, your continuing education courses must be completed by the last day of your birth month during even-numbered years.
Colorado
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Colorado do not have state-level continuing education requirements. However, those who hold CPhT certification must complete 20 CE hours to renew their credentials.
Pharmacist
Colorado pharmacists must complete 24 hours of continuing education courses. This requirement rises to 40 hours if you are part of a collaborative practice agreement. There are no specific requirements for course topics, so pharmacists can feel free to choose coursework in line with their interests and professional goals.
All coursework is to be completed by October 31 of odd-numbered years. There is currently no live course requirement for pharmacists in the state, which means all courses can be completed at your leisure.
Connecticut
Pharmacy Tech
In Connecticut, all pharmacy technician registrations expire on March 31 of each year. While there is currently no CE requirement to renew your registration, CE coursework is required to maintain your CPhT certification from PTCB or NHA. You must complete 20 hours of coursework every two years to meet requirements for both certifying bodies.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists practicing in Connecticut must complete 15 continuing education course hours each year. This includes:
- Nine hours covering general topics
- One hour of law-related coursework
- Immunization training for those authorized to administer them
While 10 of your CE hours can be home study, five of your CE hours must include live instruction. All CE must be completed by the last day of each year.
Delaware
Pharmacy Tech
Because Delaware pharmacy technicians do not have to hold a license, there are currently no CE requirements from the state. If you possess a CPhT from either the PTCB or the NHA, you must complete 20 CE hours every two years to meet recertification requirements.
Pharmacist
Delaware does have strict continuing education course requirements for pharmacists. You must complete 30 hours every two years, including:
- 26 hours on general topics
- Two hours on medication errors and safety
- Two hours on dispensing controlled substances or recognizing controlled substance abuse
- Two hours on injectable medications and immunizations (for those authorized to administer them)
All coursework must be completed by September 30 of even-numbered years. There is no live CE requirement for license renewal.
District of Columbia/Washington D.C.
Pharmacy Tech
D.C. pharmacy tecnicians are required to complete a minimum of twenty (20) contact hours of continuing education credit in pharmacy-related subject matter. This includes:
- 2 hours on pharmacy law
- 2 hours on medication safety
These hours are due every two years.
Pharmacist
D.C. pharmacists are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years. These requirements include:
- 10 hours of live CE
- 2 hours of Medication/Dispensing Errors
- 2 hours of Cultural Competency or LGBTQ
- 10% of the total in subjects determined as public health priorities of the district by the Director
- 2 hours of Immunization, if certified by the board to administer immunization or vaccinations
Florida
Pharmacy Tech
Florida requires pharmacy technicians to complete 20 hours of continuing education courses every two years. The specific requirements include:
- 14 online hours on topics of your choosing
- Four hours of live instruction
- Two hours on medication errors
- 2 hours of pharmacy law
If this is your first renewal and you are not more than 12 months from your licensure date, you only need to complete three hours. However, you must still meet the medication errors requirement and take a one-hour HIV/AIDS-related course.
If this is your first renewal, but you have been licensed for more than 12 months, you need 12 hours of CE, nine of which must be live. You must still meet the medication errors and HIV/AIDS course requirements.
Pharmacist
Florida generally requires pharmacists to complete 30 hours of CE every two years, including:
- 26 general hours on various topics (10 of which must be live)
- Two hours of a board-approved controlled substance course
- Two hours of a board-approved medication errors course
- One hour of human trafficking-related coursework
If this is your first renewal, and you have been licensed for more than 12 months, you must complete 15 CE hours with five hours of live instruction. You must still complete the medication errors and controlled substance requirements, as well as one hour of an HIV/AIDS-related course.
If you have been licensed for less than 12 months at the time of your first renewal, you must complete only the medication errors, controlled substance, and HIV/AIDS requirements. Those who hold immunization or test and treat certifications must complete three additional hours of related coursework per renewal cycle.
Georgia
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Georgia are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education courses every two years. All coursework must be completed by September 30 of odd-numbered years. There are currently no live coursework or topic requirements.
Pharmacist
As far as pharmacist CE requirements by state, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years on general topics of your choosing. However, depending on your area of expertise, you may need:
- 1 hour of live in therapy area for pharmacists participating in drug modification therapy
- 10 hours for pharmacists with a specialty pharmacy practice in each specific area of specialty
You are exempt from continuing education requirements if you were licensed within six months of your renewal date. All courses must be completed by the last day of each even-numbered year.
Hawaii
Pharmacy Tech
Hawaii does not require registration or certification for pharmacy technicians. Consequently, there is no CE requirement at the state level. However, if you have obtained CPhT certification, you must have 20 CE course hours to renew your credential.
Pharmacist
Hawaii pharmacists must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years. There is no live course requirement, and all courses must be completed by the last day of every odd-numbered year.
If you are authorized to immunize patients between the ages of 14 and 17, you must take a one-hour immunization course every three years. If you dispense contraceptives, you must complete a related training program every other renewal period.
Idaho
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Idaho do not have state-level CE requirements. If you hold a CPhT certification, you must complete 20 hours of CE coursework to recertify and renew your state license annually.
Pharmacist
Idaho pharmacists must complete 15 hours of continuing education courses each year. There is no live course requirement, but all coursework must be completed by December 31.
Illinois
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Illinois have a highly specific set of CE course requirements, including 10 hours of coursework that must include:
- Five hours of general topics
- One hour of implicit bias awareness training
- One hour of cultural competency training
- One hour of sexual harassment prevention training
- One hour of pharmacy law coursework
- One hour of patient safety coursework
All courses must be completed on an annual basis.
Pharmacist
Illinois pharmacists must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years, including:
- 27 hours of general topics
- One hour of sexual harassment prevention training
- One hour of implicit bias awareness training
- One hour of cultural competency training
If you are authorized to immunize patients, you must also complete a one-hour immunization course.
If immunizing, both pharmacists and techs must have two hours of immunization-related CE per renewal.
Indiana
Pharmacy Tech
There are currently no continuing education courses required for pharmacy technicians in Indiana. If you hold a CPhT certification, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education courses to maintain that credential.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists in Indiana must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. You cannot carry hours forward from one license renewal cycle to another. Though there is no live course requirement, all continuing education courses must be completed by June 30 of even-numbered years.
Iowa
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians registered in Iowa must follow the national guidelines for recertification through PTCB or NHA. To recertify your CPhT credential through either of these organizations, you must complete 20 hours of CE courses every two years, including:
- 15 hours of technician-specific courses
- One hour of pharmacy law coursework
- One hour of patient safety coursework
If you are a telepharmacy technician, you must complete two hours each of pharmacy law and patient safety/medication errors courses. If you are authorized to immunize patients, you must complete one hour of related coursework.
Pharmacist
Iowa pharmacists must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years, including:
- 11 hours of general topics
- 15 hours of drug therapy courses
- Two hours of law-related courses
- Two hours of patient and medication safety courses
There may also be additional requirements if you have certain specializations, such as:
- 1 hour of immunization if immunizing
- 1 hour if performing test and treat
- 1 hour if participating in naloxone orders
- 1 hour of influenza and 1 hour of streptococcal training, if participating in test and treat for those
All coursework must be completed by June 30 of your two-year renewal cycle. You are considered exempt from CE requirements if this is your first renewal.
Kansas
Pharmacy Tech
Kansas pharmacy technicians must complete 20 hours of continuing education courses with a deadline of October 31 every two years. You may take courses on any related topic.
Pharmacist
Kansas pharmacists are required to complete 30 continuing education course hours with no live CE requirement. As of July 2023, one of those CE hours must include a board-specified course for which the required topic may change annually.
Kentucky
Pharmacy Tech
Kentucky pharmacy technicians do not have state-imposed CE requirements. Nationally certified techs must complete 20 hours of continuing education coursework, including one hour each of patient safety and pharmacy law courses. Licenses expire annually on March 31.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists in Kentucky must complete 15 hours of continuing education courses by December 31 of each year. One of those hours must cover opioid use disorder or the opioid epidemic. You are exempt from CE requirements if you were licensed in the previous year.
Louisiana
Pharmacy Tech
Louisiana requires pharmacy technicians to complete 10 continuing education course hours by June 30 of every year. There is no live course requirement, but those authorized to prepare, dispense, and use sterile drugs must complete at least one hour of related coursework each year.
Pharmacist
Louisiana pharmacists must complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education courses yearly, three of which must be live CE. You may also substitute 20 online CE hours if you do not wish to attend live courses. There may also be additional requirements depending on your certifications, including:
- One hour of vaccination coursework for immunizers
- Three hours of drug diversion training for those with dangerous substance licenses
- One hour of sterile drug preparation training for compounding pharmacists
- Five hours of nuclear drug applications and procedures training for qualified nuclear pharmacists
All coursework must be completed by December 31 of each year.
Maine
Pharmacy Tech
While Maine pharmacy technicians are subject to an annual renewal fee, which must be paid by December 31 each year, there are no state-specific CE requirements. However, if you hold a CPhT certification, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education courses before you renew your credential.
Pharmacist
Main pharmacists must complete 15 hours of continuing education courses annually by December 31. There is no live course requirement, but you must complete a two-hour drug administration course, even if you are not authorized to immunize patients.
Maryland
Pharmacy Tech
Maryland pharmacy technicians must typically complete 20 continuing education course hours to renew their licenses. There are no live CE or specific topic requirements. Your renewal period starts on the first day of the month after your birth month and ends two years later on the last day of your birth month.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists in Maryland must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years, two of which must be live CE. State-specific requirements include:
- One hour of medication errors coursework
- Four hours of immunization training for authorized pharmacists (two hours for those immunizing patients ages three years and older)
- One hour of contraceptives-related coursework for authorized pharmacists
- One hour of implicit bias training upon your first license renewal
Those licensed within one year of pharmacy school graduation are exempt from CE requirements for the first renewal period.
Massachusetts
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Massachusetts must be licensed, but there are no continuing education requirements at the state level. However, you must still complete 20 hours of continuing education courses every two years to maintain your CPhT credential through the PTCB or NHA.
Pharmacist
Massachusetts requires licensed pharmacists to complete 20 hours of continuing education courses each year. These hours (five of which must be live) include:
- 13 hours of general topics
- Two hours of pharmacy law
- One hour of immunization training (if applicable)
- Five hours of sterile compounding training (if applicable)
- Three hours of non-sterile compounding training (if applicable)
If you are part of a collaborative practice agreement, you must complete five additional hours. Those with prescriptive authority in these agreements must complete one extra hour every two years on opioid use, risks, and counseling. CE courses must be completed by December 31 of even-numbered years.
Michigan
Pharmacy Tech
Michigan pharmacy technicians must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years, five of which must be live. Specific requirements include:
- 11 hours of general topics
- One hour of pain management training
- One hour of law-related coursework
- One hour of patient safety training
- Two hours of implicit bias training (reduced to one hour after five years)
- 1 hour ethics/jurisprudence
- 1 time human trafficking
- 2 hours of implicit bias
- 1 time course controlled substances
There is also a one-time requirement for human trafficking training. All coursework must be completed by June 30 of your renewal cycle.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists in Michigan must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses every two years, with 10 live CE hours. Deadlines and topic specifications are the same as for pharmacy technicians.
Minnesota
Pharmacy Tech
Pharmacy technicians in Minnesota must complete 20 hours of board-approved CE courses by July 31 of each odd-numbered year. There are no live CE or specified topic requirements.
Pharmacist
Minnesota pharmacists must complete 30 hours of CE courses by September 30 of each even-numbered year. Similar to pharmacy techs, there are no live CE or topical requirements.
Mississippi
Pharmacy Tech
If you are a pharmacy technician in Mississippi, you must renew your license annually by March 31. While there are no state-level CE requirements, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education courses every two years to maintain national CPhT certification through the PTCB or NHA.
Pharmacist
Mississippi pharmacists need 15 hours of continuing education coursework completed by December 31 each year. Two hours must be live, and two hours must be dedicated to drug addiction or opioid abuse-related courses.
Didn't see your state? Make sure to stay tuned for Part 2!
*Are you looking for requirements for Guam, Puerto Rico, or US Virgin Islands pharmacy techs and pharmacists? Don't worry, RxCe provides CEs for you as well!
