Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Requirements and Training Programs

Pharmacy technicians are trained health care professionals who support pharmacists in hospital and retail pharmacies. They prepare and fill prescriptions, dispense medications, manage inventory, and label supplies. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy governs the practice of pharmacy in the state and requires prospective technicians to register, complete 600 hours of training, and obtain national certification through the PTCB or NHA. The Board’s requirements help uphold safe practices, but also help technician develop the competency to fill an increasingly developing role.

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Pharmacy Technician Schools in Louisiana

Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Requirements

License Requirement

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy regulates the practice of pharmacy within the state. An individual seeking to practice as a pharmacy technician must have a Louisiana Pharmacy Technician Certificate. In order to obtain the certificate, the candidate must complete 600 hours of practical experience at a Louisiana-licensed pharmacy only after acquiring a Pharmacy Technician Candidate Registration. The Board will issue the Candidate Registration to persons who are 18 years and older, possess a high school diploma, and pass a criminal background check. Since the candidate registration in non-renewable, applicants must meet the requirements for Certificate Registration within the 24-month period. Apart from the 600 hours of practical experience, candidates must complete the requirements for national certification.

Registration is a privilege and pharmacy technicians must take responsibility for their actions prior to and following registration. They have a duty to learn the laws and rules that govern pharmacy technicians and their practice. The Board’s rules and regulations are available on the website. Failure to abide by the laws could result in disciplinary actions, including a letter of warning, letter of reprimand, a suspended certificate, or revoked certificate. The Board may also subject a fine up to $5,000 to cover the costs of investigation and prosecution.

Technicians must complete the Board-required continuing education requirements (separate from the PTCB or NHA’s requirements) to renew annually and continue practicing pharmacy.

Age Requirement

Pharmacy technicians must be 18 years and older to register as candidate in preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification.

Education Requirement

Applicants must submit evidence of completing high school or equivalent education with the application for registration. The Board requires a legible copy of a high school diploma or university degree or official transcripts from either institution.

Other Requirements

The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy will not issue a license without receiving and reviewing a criminal history report. Candidates should have a good moral character with no criminal convictions, felonies, and misdemeanors. The investigation will include a search of LA Department of Public Safety and the FBI. The cost for the CBC is $42.50 payable to the LA State Police.

The Pharmacy Technician Program

Content

Graduates of accredited pharmacy technician programs understand the basic aspects of pharmacy practice, including interpreting, filling, and dispensing prescriptions. Graduates also understand a pharmacy’s legal responsibility to maintain patient records and proper handling of various drug categories. Instruction in common drug interactions, medications, pharmaceutical agents, and pharmaceutical calculations helps graduates become reliable members of the pharmacy healthcare team.

Louisiana has more than a dozen ASHP-accredited training programs at colleges, universities, and vocational schools. In accordance with the Board’s guidelines, students spend more than 200 hours completing didactic and experiential training at state hospitals and community pharmacies. The practical training in multiple settings exposes students to the varying responsibilities in each setting.

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician class should have a high school diploma or Louisiana High School Equivalency. The training provider may also conduct a criminal background check, drug screen, and require applicants to take a TB test.

Duration and Cost

Pharmacy technician training programs in Louisiana are more expensive than most. At an average cost of $22,350, before financial aid, the training program covers all the essential areas students need to pass the state exam and succeed on the job. Apart from tuition, students must budget for registration fees, uniform, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, exam fees and other miscellaneous expenses. Financial aid may be available for qualifying students.

The duration of training at formal institutes can last up to 18 months for diploma programs. The training prepares students for the PTCB or NHA exam, which represents an additional cost of approximately $129.

National Exams

National certification is an important part of the registration process in Louisiana. In order to secure the Pharmacy Technician Certificate, a candidate must complete the requirements for PTCB or NHA certification within 24 months of registering as a candidate. Due to the requirements for national certification, Louisiana’s pharmacy technicians can easily transfer their skills to other states. National certification also helps them earn pharmacists’ respect and confidence, which leads to better salaries.

The PTCB and NHA have specific requirements for certifying candidates. Applicants must be high school graduates at least 18 years old. They must also pass a criminal background check and agree to abide by the certifying organization’s policies before the Board grants approval to take the exam. The certifiying exam is available at computerized testing centers in Louisiana. The exam is a multiple-choice evaluation that tests candidates’ knowledge of six critical domains. The cost of PTCB certification is $129 and $40 for the biennial renewal. The cost of the NHA exam is $110. Renewal requirements completion of Continuing Pharmacy Education requirements.

Acquiring Your State License

Application

All candidates must register with the Board before practicing as a pharmacy technician. The state requires technicians first to register as a candidate and complete 600 hours of practical experience at a licensed pharmacy and acquire PTCB certification before submitting an application for certificate registration. Applicants must be 18 years or older, of good moral character with no impairments, a high school graduate and pass a criminal background check.

Pharmacy Technician Candidate Application:

Following are the requirements for candidate registration:

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  • Make sure you read and understand all the requirements for obtaining a Pharmacy Technician Certificate before submitting the application for candidate registration
  • Provide proof of enrollment in a nationally-accredited and board-approved pharmacy technician training program OR provide proof of successful completion of a board-approved pharmacy technician certification examination and proof of successful completion of a high school (or GED) approved by a state department of education
  • Enclose a check or money order, payable to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy for the amount of $50.
  • Include legible copies of your birth certificate, passport or naturalization documents, and your social security card.
  • Provide a legible copy of your high school diploma or university degree. The Board will also accept official transcripts from a high school or university.
  • Attach a recent photo (within 6 months) to the application.
  • Sign the completed application in the presence of a notary public.
  • Once you submit the application to the address provided below, the Board will provide instructions for completing a criminal background check with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and the FBI.

The Board will not issue a registration before receiving and reviewing the contents of the criminal history report. The candidate registration expires 2 years after the date of issue.

During this time, the license holder must complete 600 hours of practical experience in a pharmacy in Louisiana (50 hours max per week) and pass the exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Candidates who obtain the license through enrollment in an accredited program must complete the program and obtain the number of hours of practical experience required by the training program’s curriculum. The diploma or certificate issued by the training program is proof of completion of the program as well as the practical experience earned during the program.  The candidate will attach a copy of that document to their application for the pharmacy technician certificate.

To continue working, the candidate must apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate.

Pharmacy Technician Certificate Application:

The requirements for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate application are similar to those listed above. However, candidates should use the Certificate Application Form and submit the registration fee of $100. Following is a list of documents to provide along with the completed application:

  • Legal documentation of a name change beyond the name recorded on your birth certificate.
  • Check or money order in the amount of $100, payable to the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.
  • Proof of successful completion of the PTCB or NHA exam- a legible copy of the wall certificate.
  • Proof of at least 600 hours of practical training documented on a Pharmacist Affidavit form – use separate forms if you complete the practical experience at multiple pharmacies.
  • An applicant who obtained pharmacy technician candidate registration based on enrollment in a nationally-accredited and board-approved pharmacy technician training program must provide a copy of the diploma or other completion certificate issued by the program

Before issuing the Pharmacy Technician Certificate, the Board must submit your name to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance and the LA Department of Social Services to verify that you’re not in default on any student loans or court-ordered support payments.

Renewal

All technician certificates expire on June 30 annually. Technicians who practice with expired certificate will be subject to disciplinary actions. The renewal cycle begins from May 1 and runs through June 30. The Board facilitates online renewal for faster processing. As an alternative, you can retrieve an electronic form, fill out the information and mail to the Board along with your check or money order.

Following are the steps for renewal.

  • Renew your certificate online and pay the $50 renewal using a credit card or print the electronic renewal form
  • Renew the certificate before June 30 to avoid late fees. The late renewal of an expired certificate will incur a penalty fee in addition to the renewal fee, which is total due of $75. A certificate expired for more than 30 days cannot be renewed, but it may be reinstated for a fee of $275.
  • Demonstrate completion of at least 10 hours of ACPE-accredited technician CPE in the previous 12-month period.
  • Technicians must ensure the CPE meets the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy specifications as they differ from those outlined by the PTCB or NHA.

Transfer

Pharmacy technicians who have been licensed, registered, or otherwise credentialed by another state board of pharmacy and has been practicing for at least one year as a pharmacy technician in that state, can submit a Pharmacy Technician Certificate Application and demonstrate successful completion of a board-approved pharmacy technician certification examination.

Contact the Board:
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
3388 Brentwood Drive
Baton Rouge, La. 70809
Phone: (225) 925-6496
Fax: (225) 925-6499
Email: info@pharmacy.la.gov

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Louisiana

Alexandria, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
8100 Highway 71 South
Alexandria, LA 71303
(318) 473-6533

Unitech Training Academy-Alexandria
7228 England Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
(318) 664-1881

Baton Rouge, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Fortis College – Baton Rouge
9255 Interline Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225-248-1015

Bogalusa, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Northshore Technical Community College
1710 Sullivan Drive
Bogalusa, LA 70427
(985) 543-4120

Bossier City, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 East Texas Street
Bossier City, LA 71111
318-678-6215

Covington, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Delta College
19231 N. 6th St.
Covington LA 70433
985.892.6651

Ferriday, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Central La. Technical Community College
2100 E. E. Wallace Blvd.
Ferriday LA 71334
318.757.6501

Houma, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Unitech Training Academy – Houma
1227 Grand Caillou Road
Houma, LA 70363
(985) 223-1755

Lafayette, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Remington College – Lafayette
303 Rue Louis XIV
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 983-7128

Infinity College
117 W Pinhook Rd
Lafayette LA 70501
318.261.9009

Monroe, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Louisiana Delta Community College
609 Vocational Parkway
Monroe LA 71291
318.397.6115

New Orleans, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Delgado Community College
Allied Health Division
615 City Park Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 671-6237

Shreveport, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Ayers Career College
8820 Jewella Ave
Shreveport, LA 71108
(318) 868-3000

Remington College – Shreveport
2106 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
Shreveport, LA 71118
(318) 671-4010

West Monroe, LA Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Unitech Training Academy – West Monroe
111 Crosley Street
Suite 4
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 651-8001

Other Board-Approved Programs
American National University
1813 E Main St Salem VA 24153
757.550.0679

Career Step
2901 N. Ashton Blvd., Suite 101
Lehi UT 84043
800.411.7073

CVS Caremark
One CVS Dr Woonsocket RI 02895
401.770.7019

Health Mart Systems
6535 N State Highway 161
Irving TX 75039
317.281.3348

Lamar State College
410 Front St
Orange TX 77630
409.882.3035

MedCerts
13955 Farmington Rd
Livonia MI 48154
734.469.5196

New York Institute of Career Development
41 E 11th St, 11th Floor, Ste 66
New York NY 10003
800.240.0332

 

Penn Foster College
14300 N Northsight Blvd Ste 125
Scottsdale AZ 85260
570.961.4171

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