State requirements

South Carolina Pharmacy Technician Requirements

Find out how to become a pharmacy technician in South Carolina.
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Becoming a  Pharmacy Technician in
South Carolina

South Carolina requires that all individuals practicing in a pharmacy technician role must be licensed with the Board of Pharmacy. The state officially recognizes two tiers of the pharmacy technician role: Pharmacy Technicians and Certified Pharmacy Technicians. The two positions are very different. Certified pharmacy technicians have a significantly larger number of privileges than non-certified technicians. See below.

Pharmacy Technician Registration Requirements

In South Carolina, the Pharmacy Technician designation is considered to be an entry level pharmacy technician position. In order to register as a Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina, applicants must:
  • Submit an application and pay an application fee. Applications can be submitted online or in print. For 2025, the application fee is $56.
  • Complete a verification of lawful presence in the United States
  • Submit a copy of a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, passport, or a military ID
  • Submit a copy of a valid social security card
Official requirements for registration can be found on page one of the application.

Certified Pharmacy Technician Registration Requirements

The Certified Pharmacy Technician is the advanced pharmacy position in South Carolina. In order to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, you must first register as a Pharmacy Technician and meet all of those requirements. (See above). To obtain this license, applicants must:
  • Have an active Pharmacy Technician registration with the state of South Carolina.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Have completed an ASHP or PTCB approved course. The 1st Pass CPhT Course by Pharmacy Technician Academy meets this requirement.
  • Have passed the national certification test administered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
  • Submit documentation of 1,000 hours of experience of practice in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician
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Once you submit all documentation to the Board of Pharmacy, you will receive a new license in the mail. No application or application fee is required.
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The official requirements can be found on the State Certification Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians document found on the Board of Pharmacy website. 

Benefits of becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina

In South Carolina, there are significant differences between certified and non-certified technicians. The list of allowed activities and privileges is significantly different between the two tiers.

Pharmacy Technician Privileges

  • Enter patient information into the pharmacy computer system
  • Interpret and enter prescription information into the pharmacy computer system
  • Handle non-dispensed drugs and medical devices
  • Assist in pharmacy compounding

Certified Pharmacy Technician Privileges

  • Any duty performed pharmacy technician, PLUS
  • Initiate and receive verbal prescription orders for non-controlled prescriptions
  • Check a non-certified technician's refill of medications if the medication will be administered by a health care professional
  • Verify a non-certified technician's repackaging of medication from bulk to unit-dose in an institutional setting.
Due to these differences in scope of practice, many pharmacies prefer to hire individuals licensed as Certified Pharmacy Technician. By having a technician staff that is capable of assisting in more duties, the pharmacist's time is freed up for other activities. 

There is a big advantage to the pharmacy to hire staff licensed as Certified Pharmacy Technicians. This also means that individuals with this license are significantly more valuable and can expect to:

Get a higher salary

Certified Pharmacy Technicians can help the pharmacist with a lot more responsibilities, so in return they get paid significantly more.

Get hired more quickly

Certified Pharmacy Technicians have a proven commitment to pharmacy. This sends a big signal to employers that you are dedicated and dependable.

Find a more desirable job

Pharmacies that prioritize employee wellbeing and good work environments only hire the best talent. Being licensed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician opens doors to more attractive job opportunities.

How to get licensed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina

The fastest and most cost-effective method of meeting the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy requirements for licensure as a Certified Pharmacy Technician:
  1. Register as a South Carolina Pharmacy Technician and begin working in any pharmacy to meet the 1,000 hour experience requirement.
  2. Complete a PTCB approved course such as 1st Pass CPhT Course
  3. Pass the national PTCB Certification exam
  4. Submit a copy of: PTCB Certificate, 1st Pass Course Certificate of completion, and affidavit of meeting 1,000 hours of work experience to the board of pharmacy
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Full details of requirements and privileges of the two technician roles can be found in the Approved Technician Duties Policy and Procedure document found on the Board of Pharmacy website.

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
  • In South Carolina, you are required to take a PTCB approved course to get licensed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Waiting to meet the 500 hour work requirement to take the PTCB test only delays the process. You will still have to take a PTCB approved course such as 1st Pass CPhT Course.
  • Work experience alone will not teach you enough to pass the PTCB certification exam. You will still have to study. 
  • 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.

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