New York Pharmacy Technician Requirement
New York does not license pharmacy technicians in retail settings. However, technicians working in hospital or health-system pharmacies must be licensed and nationally certified.
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician
- If working in a hospital pharmacy:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Hold active national certification (PTCB or ExCPT)
- Submit a license application to the New York State Education Department
- Pass a criminal background check
- If working in a retail or community pharmacy:
- No state licensure, certification, or formal training is currently required
- Employers may set their own training or certification standards
- Renew license according to state requirements
Pharmacy Technician Salary
Pharmacy technicians in New York typically earn $19–$25 per hour. Certified technicians and those in hospital settings tend to earn higher wages.
State Registration Requirements
- Licensure is required only for technicians in hospital or health-system pharmacies
- National certification is mandatory for hospital licensure
- Retail pharmacy technicians are not regulated by the state
- Background check is required for hospital license applicants
- Regulated by the New York State Education Department
Continuing Education Requirements
- New York does not require CE for retail pharmacy technicians
- PTCB Certification requires 20 CE hours every 2 years, including 1 hour in Pharmacy Law and 1 hour in Patient Safety
Summary
In New York, pharmacy technicians working in hospitals must be certified and licensed, while retail technicians are not regulated at the state level. Employers may impose their own training standards. CE is only required to maintain national certification.