How Do I Renew My Pharmacy Tech License?
If you’re a pharmacy technician, you’re probably aware that you need to periodically renew your license, but you may not know exactly how the process works. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, which might leave you wondering how to renew pharmacy tech licenses with as little stress as possible.
Although it may never be entirely stress-free, there are ways to make the experience a bit simpler. With that in mind, here’s a look at what the pharmacy tech license renewal process involves.
Understanding the Renewal Requirements
As you approach the pharmacy tech license renewal deadline, having a clear understanding of the requirements is important. Knowing what you’re doing means you can avoid making mistakes that delay the renewal.
State-Specific Requirements
One of the reasons the license renewal process is complex is that every state has different requirements. Some have fingerprint requirements, for example, while others mandate that you complete a minimum number of competency cultural course hours before permitting renewal.
They all have different deadlines as well, and the number of credit hours you need can vary widely. That’s why it’s essential to check your state’s exact requirements ahead of time. The best way of doing this is by going directly to the state’s pharmacy board website. It will have updated information on pharmacy tech license renewal procedures.
Check Your State’s Renewal Requirements
National Certification Requirements
Aside from state requirements, you also have to worry about national renewals. If you are a Certified Pharmacy Technician, a Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician, or an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician, you have to complete continuing education and renew your certification to keep it active.
For Certified Pharmacy Technicians and Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technicians, you must renew every two years. Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technicians must renew every year. Certified Pharmacy Technicians can complete the process in a matter of minutes.
In some cases, you may have to renew the certification through the National Healthcareer Association. This process requires that you get 10 continued education credits.
National certification promotes professional recognition across state lines, while state licensure demonstrates that you comply with a state’s particular requirements. If you have both state and national certifications, the renewal dates and continuing education requirements may not align. Keep track of both renewals to avoid complications.
Steps to Renewing Your Pharmacy Tech License
If you’re ready to begin the pharmacy tech license renewal process, don’t wait until the last minute to do so. Give yourself plenty of time in case you have questions or need to gather further documentation. Here are the steps you need to follow to renew your license.
Gather Required Documentation
You will need a form of ID, as well as paperwork that proves you completed the continuing education credits your state requires. Some states, like California, may not require paperwork up front, but you will need to provide it if you’re audited for continuing education compliance.
Most states require continuing education credits (20 CE hours is a common requirement), including one hour on patient safety and one hour on pharmacy law. The credits you earn have to be related to pharmacy technician subject matter, which are topics you can find on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination Content Outline.
Topics can include:
- Drug distribution
- Inventory control
- Preparation of sterile products
- Interpersonal skills
- Managed health care
You can obtain credits in several ways, from taking college courses to participating in online programs. In-service training programs and even certain live presentations can also count.
Proof of Employment
For the pharmacy tech license renewal process, some states also mandate that you provide proof of employment. Usually, this means an employment verification letter, but you may be able to use taxes or pay stubs, too.
Renewal Application Form
You’ll have to carefully complete and submit the renewal application form. You don’t want to do this in a hurry because the renewal can be denied. That means filling out even more paperwork.
For most people, completing these forms online is the best option. You can do so by going to the state’s Board of Pharmacy website. You may also request mail-in forms if you feel more comfortable with them.
Complete the Renewal Application Process
Once you finish filling out the application, make sure to double-check it. To submit, you’ll have to pay a fee as well, so keep that in mind when deciding when to tackle the renewal. Fees can vary by state. Texas, for example, charges $76 for a renewal, while California charges $195.
There are late fees to keep in mind, too. These can be steep if you’re even one day late, so ensure you know exactly when your license expires. You can submit and pay via the online portal, by mail, or in person at the state Board of Pharmacy office.
What Is the Timeline for Renewing Your Pharmacy Technician License?
To ensure that you don’t miss the license renewal deadline, you should know your state’s requirements. Remember that the national certification and state licensure dates may not align.
Renewal Deadlines
Typically, you have to renew your license every year or every two years, depending on your state’s regulations. To avoid penalties, which can include hefty fines, you want to renew your license before the expiration date. Keep in mind that most states won’t send you any kind of warning about the expiration. It’s up to you to renew on time.
Processing Time
Pharmacy tech license renewal processing times can also vary from one state to the next. In Nevada, for example, it can take about a month, while in California, three months is normal. If you don’t get the renewal processed promptly, reach out to your state’s Board of Pharmacy.
What to Do if Your License Expires
If you don’t begin your pharmacy tech license renewal in time or if you forget that you need to renew it, you can end up with an expired license. That can have significant ramifications, including a canceled license.
Practicing under an expired license puts you at legal risk as well. It could result in significant fines and even lawsuits. There are also professional consequences that could include facing disciplinary actions from the Board of Pharmacy.
To reactivate your license, states require that you fill out a whole new license application and that you present a significant amount of documentation to show that you have completed all the continuing education requirements. You could also face additional fees.
How Can RxCe Help You With Your Pharmacy Technician License Renewal?
The pharmacy tech license renewal process is an important one. To get it right, it can be helpful for you to have a bit of help with meeting the requirements. At RxCE, we offer a wide range of continuing education courses that can make it easier to get the credits you need to make renewal possible.
With our courses, you have convenient access to approved topics — all at affordable rates. We go one step further in making the renewal process easier by allowing you to confirm the exact credits your state requires while also letting you choose from a list of courses that can meet those requirements.
Don’t wait until the last minute to begin preparing for license renewal. Save yourself the hassle of penalties and the risk of working under an expired license by checking out our courses to find the ones that fit your needs.
