North Carolina Pharmacy Technician Licensing Guide

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in North Carolina

A clear, step-by-step guide to meeting North Carolina's pharmacy technician licensing requirements.
Write your awesome label here.
Thinking about becoming a pharmacy technician in North Carolina? This guide will walk you through the licensing and registration requirements set by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Whether you’re a recent graduate, exploring a career change, or looking to break into the healthcare field, understanding how to become a pharmacy technician is the first step toward a stable and rewarding career.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about pharmacy technician registration, certification options, and how to complete the application process in North Carolina. We’ll also explore ways to increase your earning potential such as becoming a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), gaining experience in specialized settings, or completing advanced training programs.

North Carolina Board of Pharmacy
Contact Information

Helpful Links

North Carolina Pharmacy Technician Requirements

Before you can begin working as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina, you must register with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and obtain a technician license. To qualify for registration, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
  • Application and fee
    • All applications must be submitted online through the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy website.
    • As of 2025, the registration fee is $30.
  • Minimum age requirement
    • North Carolina does not have a minimum age requirement for pharmacy technician registration. 
    • This allows individuals under 18 to become registered, making it an excellent opportunity for those seeking early experience in the healthcare field.
  • Education requirements
    • To qualify, applicants must either be a high school graduate, hold a GED, or be currently enrolled in high school.
    • This means students still in high school are eligible to register and begin gaining hands-on experience in a pharmacy setting before graduation.
  • Employment, training and certification requirement
    • Certified pharmacy technicians can register with the Board regardless of current employment status.
    • Non-certified individuals must first be employed in a North Carolina pharmacy that provides on-site training. The pharmacist-manager must notify the Board of the technician’s employment to complete the registration process.
For the most up-to-date details and official guidance, visit the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy Regulations § 90‑85.15A.

Certified vs. Non-Certified Pharmacy Technicians in North Carolina

To work as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina, individuals must become trained in pharmacy operations. The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy gives you two options to meet this requirement:
 • Earn national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
OR
 • Complete an employer-based pharmacy technician training program approved by a licensed pharmacist

While both paths allow you to register as a pharmacy technician, becoming PTCB certified opens the door to higher pay, expanded job duties, and greater career opportunities. Certified technicians are often eligible for roles that are unavailable to non-certified staff.

Here are the main differences between certified and non-certified pharmacy technicians:

Pharmacy Technician

  • Enter patient information into the pharmacy system (e.g., name, date of birth, address, insurance details)
  • Interpret and enter prescription orders into the pharmacy system
  • Assist with prescription preparation, such as counting, measuring, and labeling medications
  • Assist in compounding prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications under supervision
  • Not allowed to transfer prescriptions to or from another pharmacy
  • Not permitted to accept faxed or electronically transmitted prescription orders
  • Cannot work in the role Validating Pharmacy Technician

Certified Pharmacy Technician

  • Enter patient information into the pharmacy system (e.g., name, date of birth, address, insurance details)
  • Interpret and enter prescription orders into the pharmacy system
  • Assist with prescription preparation, such as counting, measuring, and labeling medications
  • Assist in compounding prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications under supervision
  • Permitted to transfer prescriptions between pharmacies
  • Permitted to accept faxed or electronically transmitted prescription orders
  • Permitted to work in the role of a Validating Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacist-to-Technician Ratio in North Carolina

In North Carolina, a pharmacist may supervise up to two pharmacy technicians by default. However, if the technicians are PTCB-certified, the pharmacy may increase this ratio with board approval. This benefits pharmacies because they can reduce staffing costs by hiring less pharmacists and more technicians. 

Because certified technicians can perform more tasks and be supervised in larger numbers, they are significantly more valuable to employers. As a result, many pharmacies in North Carolina offer higher wages and expanded roles to certified pharmacy technicians.

Validating Pharmacy Technicians

Certified pharmacy technicians in North Carolina may be designated as Validating Pharmacy Technicians (VPTs) in hospital pharmacies. VPTs are authorized to:
 • Stock patient care unit medication inventories
 • Restock automated dispensing cabinets and drug supply devices
 • Refill emergency kits and ancillary drug cabinets
 • Prepackage medications within the hospital pharmacy

Due to their advanced responsibilities, most hospitals and healthcare systems in North Carolina only hire certified pharmacy technicians for these roles.
The scope of pharmacy technician duties in North Carolina is outlined in 21 NCAC Chapter 46 of the Board of Pharmacy regulations.
Higher Salary and Career Growth

Why Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician

Earning your certification as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina offers significant advantages—for both your career and the pharmacy you work in. Certified technicians are trained to take on more advanced responsibilities, which helps pharmacists focus on clinical care and improves overall efficiency. Because certified technicians contribute to better workflow and lower staffing costs, many North Carolina pharmacies prefer to hire certified individuals and are willing to offer higher pay.

Here’s why becoming certified is a smart investment in your future:

  • Expanded Scope of Practice 
    Certified technicians are allowed to perform additional duties, such as transferring prescriptions and accepting faxed or electronic orders—tasks non-certified techs cannot do.
  • Higher Salary 
    Certification increases your value to employers, often leading to higher starting wages and better long-term earning potential.
  • Better Job Opportunities 
    Many pharmacies actively seek out certified technicians to improve supervision ratios and streamline operations.
  • Opportunities for Advancement
    Certification can open doors to leadership positions and specialized roles in hospital or clinical pharmacy settings.
  • Professional Recognition 
    Becoming certified shows your commitment to the profession and demonstrates your competence to employers, coworkers, and patients.

How to Become a Certified Pharmacy Technician in North Carolina

Earning your certification as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina opens the door to greater responsibilities, higher pay, and expanded career opportunities. Below is the fastest and most efficient path to becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Write your awesome label here.

Step 1: Enroll in a PTCB-Recognized Training Program

If you do not have prior pharmacy experience, you’ll need to complete a training program approved by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
You can choose from:
  • In-person programs at local community colleges, or
  • A flexible online course offered by a PTCB-recognized provider like Pharmacy Technician Academy

Step 2: Pass the PTCB Certification Exam (PTCE)

After completing your training, you’ll be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
  • The exam can be taken either online with remote proctoring or in person at an authorized testing center.
  • Once you pass, you will earn the nationally recognized Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential.

Step 3: Register as a Pharmacy Technician and Start Working

Once you have earned your CPhT credential, you can apply for your pharmacy technician license in North Carolina—even before securing a pharmacy job.
  • To register:
    —Complete the online North Carolina pharmacy technician registration application
    —Pay the $30 registration fee (as of 2025)
  • When applying for positions, be sure to highlight that you are already fully certified and licensed. Employers value candidates who are already qualified, which will help you stand out, get hired faster, and earn a higher starting salary.

How High School Students Can Become Pharmacy Technicians in North Carolina

If you’re a high school student interested in healthcare, working part-time as a pharmacy technician is a great way to gain hands-on experience. You’ll have the chance to work alongside pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals—offering valuable insight into potential careers in pharmacy, medicine, and beyond.

No Age or Diploma Requirement

In North Carolina, there is no minimum age requirement to become a pharmacy technician. As long as you’re currently enrolled in high school, you meet the state’s education requirement for registration.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) also does not require a high school diploma or a minimum age to take the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam). This means motivated students can earn their Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential even before graduation.

Why It’s a Smart First Step Toward a Healthcare Career

Becoming a pharmacy technician in high school can help you:
  • Build valuable real-world skills
  • Gain clinical experience in a pharmacy setting
  • Explore your interest in pharmacy, nursing, or medicine
  • Strengthen college and scholarship applications

High school teen working in a pharmacy.

How PTCB Certification Can Strengthen College Applications

Earning your PTCB certification in high school demonstrates drive, discipline, and a strong work ethic—all qualities that stand out to college admissions officers. Certification also shows an early commitment to a healthcare career, making your application more compelling if you’re applying to pharmacy, nursing, pre-med, or health science programs.

It’s more than a line on your resume—it’s a story you can tell in your essays and interviews, showing that you’re already taking steps to build your future.

How to Get Started

Some high schools in North Carolina may offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs or scholarship opportunities to help cover the cost of pharmacy technician training. Even if your school doesn’t have a formal program, you can still get certified on your own.

Many students have successfully completed our self-paced, online pharmacy technician course while balancing school and extracurriculars. With 24/7 access, you can study at your own pace—after school, on weekends, or during school breaks.

To get started:
  • Talk to your high school guidance counselor about available resources
  • Enroll in a PTCB-recognized training program like the 1st Pass CPhT Course to start preparing for your certification exam

How Pharmacy Technician Academy Can Help You Succeed

At Pharmacy Technician Academy, we’re committed to helping you earn your certification and launch a successful career as a pharmacy technician. Our 1st Pass CPhT Course is a PTCB-recognized training program specifically designed to prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)—even if you have no prior pharmacy experience.

The course is self-paced, fully online, and built to fit your schedule. You’ll learn everything tested on the PTCE, including medication fundamentals, pharmacy law, order processing, and patient safety. With clear instruction and real-world examples, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to pass the exam on your first try.

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 become a pharmacy technician in North Carolina?

No college degree or traditional classroom program is required. However, to become a certified pharmacy technician, you must complete a PTCB-recognized training program. If you’re not seeking certification, you can still become registered by completing on-the-job training under the supervision of a pharmacist at your place of employment.

Is certification required to work as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina?

Certification is not required to register and work as a pharmacy technician in North Carolina. However, non-certified technicians must be employed in a pharmacy that provides an on-site training program, and their supervising pharmacist must notify the Board. Certified technicians can register without being employed and are eligible for expanded responsibilities and higher pay.

What’s the difference between being certified and non-certified in North Carolina?

Certified pharmacy technicians have passed the PTCB exam and can perform additional duties, such as transferring prescriptions and accepting faxed or electronic orders. They can also be supervised in greater numbers, making them more valuable to employers.
Non-certified technicians have a more limited scope of practice and must be employed in a pharmacy with a training program to be eligible for registration.

How much do pharmacy technicians earn in North Carolina?

As of recent data, the average hourly wage for pharmacy technicians in North Carolina is around $18.75, with certified technicians typically earning more. Those with experience and certification may earn wages in the $22–$25/hour range, depending on location and work setting.

How old do you have to be to register as a pharmacy technician in NC?

North Carolina does not set a minimum age requirement. As long as you meet the education criteria (high school graduate, GED holder, or currently enrolled in high school), you’re eligible to apply.

Can you work as a pharmacy technician while still in high school in North Carolina?

Yes. As long as you are currently enrolled in high school, you meet the education requirement to register as a pharmacy technician. North Carolina also does not set a minimum age for registration, making it a great opportunity for motivated students to get healthcare experience before graduation. 

Ready to Get Started?

Enroll today and start your journey to becoming a certified pharmacy technician in North Carolina.

Helpful Reads