Arizona Pharmacy Technician Requirements

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Arizona

Step-by-Step Guide to Meeting Arizona’s Pharmacy Technician Certification and Licensing Requirements
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If you’re someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys helping others, and is looking to build a rewarding career in the growing healthcare field, becoming a pharmacy technician could be the perfect path for you. Pharmacy technicians are important members of the pharmacy team. They handle the technical tasks of pharmacy operations like preparing medications, billing insurance, and maintaining inventory. This allows pharmacists to focus on clinical responsibilities, such as reviewing drug interactions and counseling patients.

In the United States, each state sets its own guidelines for becoming a pharmacy technician. In Arizona, these guidelines are established by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. This article will guide you through the steps required to meet these standards and begin your journey toward a career as a pharmacy technician in Arizona.

Arizona Pharmacy Technician Licensing Requirements

To work as a pharmacy technician in Arizona, you must first obtain a license from the Arizona Board of Pharmacy. This process involves completing several requirements:
  • Application and fee
    • Complete the Application for Pharmacy Technician Licensure form.
    • The application can be completed on paper and mailed-in or electronically online.
    • Pay the application fee. For 2025, the application fee is $82. 
    • If you submit a paper application, the fee must be paid with a check or money order. To pay with a debit or credit card, the application must be submitted online. 
  • Educational requirement
    • You must have a high school diploma or GED.
  • Age requirement
    • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Obtain an approved pharmacy technician certification
    • The Arizona Board of Pharmacy requires pharmacy technicians to demonstrate basic knowledge of medications and safe pharmacy practices.
    • To meet this requirement, you must earn certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or another board-approved organization.

For the official and most up-to-date list of pharmacy technician licensing requirements, visit the Arizona Board of Pharmacy website.

Certification Requirements Explained

To become a pharmacy technician in Arizona, the Board of Pharmacy requires you to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role and its responsibilities. To satisfy this requirement, you must obtain an approved pharmacy technician certification.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

What is a PTCB Certification?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is a national organization that certifies pharmacy technicians. To become certified, you need to complete a PTCB-recognized program and pass a certification exam.

After passing the exam, you will meet the Arizona Board of Pharmacy training and certification requirement for pharmacy technicians. Additionally, you will also be able to use the CPhT credential (e.g., Alex Smith, CPhT), which is highly valued by both employers and healthcare professionals.

The certification exam tests your knowledge across four key areas of pharmacy practice:
  • Medications
    You’ll need to understand drug classifications, brand and generic names, indications, side effects, and proper storage requirements.
  • Pharmacy laws and requirements
    This section evaluates your knowledge of pharmacy laws, regulations, and professional standards governing pharmacy practice.
  • Patient safety and quality assurance
    This category focuses on preventing medication errors, ensuring accurate dispensing, and maintaining high safety and quality standards in pharmacy operations.
  • Order entry and processing
    You’ll be assessed on your ability to interpret prescriptions, enter orders accurately, and handle other administrative processes in a pharmacy setting.

How to Get a Pharmacy Technician License in Arizona

The process of obtaining a pharmacy technician in Arizona is relatively simple. You can complete all the steps online, making it easy to obtain your certification and licensure from the comfort of your home.
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  • Complete a PTCB-Recognized Course (online)
    • If you don’t have prior pharmacy experience, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires you to complete an approved training program.
    • These programs can be taken in person at community colleges or online through institutions such as the Pharmacy Technician Academy.
  • Pass the PTCB Certification Exam (online)
    • Once you finish your training program, you’ll be eligible to take the PTCB certification exam.
    • You can take this exam either in person at a testing center or online.
  • Submit Your Online Application (online)
Alternative Pathway

Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration

For those who have not yet earned a high school diploma or GED, the Arizona Board of Pharmacy offers an alternative pathway to gain pharmacy work experience. Individuals aged 18 or older can register as a pharmacy technician trainee. This registration permits them to work in a pharmacy and assist pharmacists with certain tasks typically handled by pharmacy technicians. However, the duties assigned to pharmacy technician trainees are more restricted compared to those of fully licensed pharmacy technicians.

For a complete and up-to-date list of the duties permitted for registered pharmacy technician trainees, visit the Arizona Board of Pharmacy website. 

How Pharmacy Technician Academy Can Help

At Pharmacy Technician Academy, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve certification and succeed as a pharmacy technician. Our 1st Pass CPhT Course is a recognized program by the PTCB and designed to thoroughly prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). 

By completing the 1st Pass CPhT Course, you’ll meet the PTCB’s eligibility requirements to take the certification exam, even if you don’t have prior pharmacy experience. The course is structured to cover all the essential topics tested on the PTCE, including medication basics, pharmacy law, patient safety, and more—giving you the knowledge and confidence needed to pass on your first attempt. 

We’re here to support aspiring pharmacy technicians with everything they need to achieve certification and thrive in their careers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to go to school to be a pharmacy tech in Arizona?

No, an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology isn’t required to work as a pharmacy technician in Arizona. Instead, you can fulfill the Board’s training requirements by completing an approved online course and earning a PTCB certification.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Arizona?

The Arizona Board of Pharmacy typically processes license applications quickly once all requirements are met. The amount of time it takes to become a pharmacy technician largely depends on the training program you select. While traditional college programs may take over a year to complete, some self-paced online programs can be finished in just a few months.

Do I need to be certified to work as a pharmacy tech?

Yes, the Arizona Board of Pharmacy mandates certification to be eligible for a pharmacy technician license. However, the Board also offers the option to register as a pharmacy technician trainee, enabling individuals to gain pharmacy experience while working toward their certification.

How much do pharmacy technicians make in Arizona?

In Arizona, pharmacy technicians earn an average hourly wage of $21.76, though actual pay can vary depending on experience, location, and work environment. For a detailed look at pharmacy technician salaries in the state, visit our Arizona Pharmacy Technician Salary and Job Outlook Report.

Take the Next Step

Helpful Reads

Becoming a  Pharmacy Technician in
Arizona

In Arizona, all individuals practicing as a pharmacy technician must be licensed with the state board of pharmacy.
  • The Arizona Board of Pharmacy recognizes two tiers of the pharmacy technician role: pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees.
  • To register as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee, individuals need to be at least 18 years old and demonstrate a lawful presence in the United States. 
  • Pharmacy technicians need to be PTCB certified and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Pharmacy technician trainees do not have these requirements. See below for details.

Arizona Pharmacy Technicians

The Arizona Board of Pharmacy recognizes two tiers of the pharmacy technician role: pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees. Many duties of the two tiers overlap, but there are some notable differences between them:

Pharmacy Technician

In order to register as a pharmacy technician in Arizona you will have to submit:
• Proof or residency
• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of high school graduation or its equivalent
• $82 non-refundable application fee (renewal application fees decrease to $72)
• Proof of passing the PTCB certification exam. (Completing the 1st Pass CPhT Course and passing the PTCE satisfies this requirement.)
• Official Arizona pharmacy technician license application requirements can be found here.

Pharmacy Technician Trainee

An alternative way to begin working in a pharmacy in Arizona is to register as a pharmacy technician trainee. The requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician trainee are similar to those for becoming a pharmacy technician, with a few notable differences: 
• Pharmacy technician trainees do not need to be PTCB certified or have a high school diploma.
• The pharmacy technician trainee license is only valid for one registration period and cannot be renewed. This means that once your trainee license expires, you will have to obtain a pharmacy technician license.
• The duties that a pharmacy technician trainee can perform can be found on the Arizona Board of Pharmacy website. One of the notable differences between the two tiers is that pharmacy technicians cannot assist in performing any type of medication compounding. This makes the trainee role of somewhat limited value compared to pharmacy technicians.
• Official pharmacy technician trainee registration requirements can be found here.
The full list of activities that can be performed by pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy technician trainees can be found here.

Should I register as a Pharmacy Technician or as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee?

For most individuals, the better option is to obtain the PTCB certification and register as a pharmacy technician. Reasons include:
• Pharmacy technicians get paid significantly more that pharmacy technician trainees.
• To continue practicing pharmacy in Arizona, you will have to become PTCB certified eventually. Not getting certified is not an option. But, the faster you do it, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of having a higher wage.
• You will be more valuable to your employer since you will be able to assist in medication compounding. 

The pharmacy technician trainee license can be a good option for individuals who are unsure if a pharmacy career is a good fit for them.
• A trainee license will allow you to begin working in a pharmacy without a certification.
• If you decide that a you will be working in a pharmacy for longer than a few months, you are strongly encouraged that you consider becoming a licensed pharmacy technician. 

PTCB Certification Requirements

To become a certified pharmacy technician you must meet the following criteria
Click here for a full set of guidelines from the PTCB.

Residency

Reside in the United States of America or its territories.

Certification program or equivalent work experience

Complete an approved training program (like the 1st Pass CPhT Course) or have 500 hours of equivalent work experience. See below.

Compliance

You must comply with all PTCB policies and disclose all criminal and state Board of Pharmacy license actions.

Pass the PTCE

Obtain a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

Certification Exam
Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify to sit for the PTCB certification exam, you must complete one of the following:

Pathway 1:

Complete a PTCB Approved Pharmacy Technician Course (such as 1st Pass CPhT).
This is the preferred method.

Pathway 2:

Complete 500 hours work experience as a pharmacy technician.
PTCB classifies this as an alternative method for individuals not in a position to attend a course.

The Preferred Method:
A PTCB Approved Training Program

There are several reasons why Pathway 1 is the preferred method
  • Work experience alone will not teach you enough to pass the PTCB certification exam. You will still have to study. 
  • Certified technicians are offered significantly higher starting wages. Working 500+ hours without being certified can cost you thousands of dollars.
  • Pharmacies that offer better work environments are more selective in their hiring. Being certified gives you access to more desirable jobs.
  • Certified technicians are given priority when scheduling shifts. 
  • As a CPhT, you will get more respect from your peers and patients.
Overview

Benefits of our training program

There are many advantages to our 1st Pass CPhT training program.  Here are just a few. Visit the course page to learn more.

Expertly designed curriculum

Our curriculum was designed by board certified clinical pharmacists and pharmacy managers. Pass the PTCE and learn the skills employers are seeking. See the 1st Pass CPhT Course Page to find out more about the 1st Pass Advantage.

Accelerated learning experience

Accelerated but self-paced. Motivated students who have time to devote to studying can finish the course in as little as three weeks. You can be on your way to a new career in less than a month.

Affordably priced

Technology and determination allowed us to make this course accessible to everyone looking to start a new healthcare career.

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