You will need to know the following information if you are going to be pursuing a career as a pharmacy technician in Alabama.
Are Pharmacy Technicians Regulated In Alabama?
Yes they are regulated.
Does Alabama Require Certification To Practice As A Pharmacy Technician?
No, at this time they do not. Although there still are benefits to becoming certified, such as the training and if they ever do, you will be one step ahead of the curve.
Which Of the Certification Exams Are Approved By Alabama?
The ICPT (ExCPT) and the PTCB (PTCE).
What Are the Registration Dates?
The registration will start on the 1st of October, and will usually expire on the last day of the year of the registration expiring year.
Is A License Required?
Absolutely, in fact your registration certificate will be needed before you begin your work in a pharmacy.
[update]The Alabama State Board of Pharmacy Information
Office: 111 Village St.
Hoover, AL 35242
Phone: 205-981-2280
Mail: P.O. Box 381988
Birmingham, AL
Website: http://www.albop.com[/update]
Are There Any Professional Associations?
The ALAPT, or the Alabama Association of Pharmacy Technicians. They can be emailed at alaptchapter@yahoo.com.
What Are the Requirements To Become Licensed?
- First, you have to be at least 17 years of age
- Then you have to fill out and submit an application to the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy with a request to become licensed as a pharmacy technician. You can find the application at www.albop.com along with any others you might need.
- Then you will need to sign the form and have it notarized
- You want to include a recent photo of yourself that looks like that of a photo you would put on a passport, should be within six months recent
- Lastly, you have to include the biennial fee for registration of $60, which can be a money order or personal check
Will There Be Training Required?
There will not be training, but after you have obtained your license you will have to work under a licensed pharmacist in the state of Alabama.
What About Continuing Education Requirements?
Every year you are going to need 3 hours of continuing education, and one of those hours is going to have to be a live hour. The hours that will be counted are those that are approved by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy (ABOP), or the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education-Technician (ACPE-T).
When Is Renewal Required?
Biennially, or ever odd number year.
What If I Move or I change Jobs?
You will have to give notification to the board by filling out a form that can be found at www.albop.com. This will need to be done within ten days.
Here Are A Few More Tips:
- The registration certificate for a pharmacy technician in the state of Alabama must be shown at all times
- The technicians must also wear a name tag that identifies themselves as pharmacy technicians at all times
- Technicians cannot handle controlled substances, and they may also not handle decisions that require professional judgment
- There is usually a rule that no more than three pharmacy technicians should be working for every one licensed pharmacist at one time