Pharmacy technicians (PT) are subject to diverse state-specific regulatory laws, colloquially over-simplified as "certifications." The reality of PT regulation is more complex, and states can be grouped into four categories based on legislative control. Of the 50 United States, 10 states, along with the District of Columbia, do not regulate the profession, 11 states regulate it only mildly, 15 states moderately regulate it, and 14 impose heavy regulations on technicians.
Thirty-nine states regulate pharmacy technicians.
No Regulation
According to NationalTechExam.org, as of Oct. 10, 2009, 10 states, Florida, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, New York, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia have no legislation regulating pharmacy technicians.
Mild Regulation
Some states require only mild regulation in which recently hired PTs pay nominal fees to register with the board. In these states, PTs are required to be nonfelons, 18 or older, and they must renew their registration on a regular basis. As of October 2009, the following states fit this legislative profile: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Vermont, New Jersey, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska and New Hampshire.
Moderate Regulation
Fifteen states require PTs to be properly trained along with being registered or certified. Furthermore, these states require continuing education credits for PTs to renew their registrations. In October 2009, moderately regulated states included: Idaho, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Nevada, Iowa, Maine, Oregon, Washington, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Alabama.
Heavy Regulation
Fourteen states only allow pharmacy technicians to work after they are trained, certified through an accredited program and have passed a board-qualifying exam. As of October 2009, states imposing heavy regulations included Kansas, Louisiana, Arizona, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, West Virginia, Wyoming, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Texas.
Future
The future may hold federal legislation.
In an August 2009 issue of Modern Medicine, senior editor Catherine Radwan suggested that more states will eventually pass legislation heavily regulating the profession. Federal regulation is even being eyed in the near future in the wake of the death of an Ohio child after a PT improperly mixed medicines.
Tags: October 2009, pharmacy technicians, states require, 2009 states, along with, District Columbia
