Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Indiana
Pharmacy technicians manage inventory, dispense prescriptions, and perform other administrative tasks to assist pharmacists in hospitals, drugstores, and clinics, among other places of employment. This career field is ideal for people who are interested in healthcare but have chosen not to attend medical school which could require many years to complete.
Pharmacy technicians are in high demand, with the career field expanding rapidly in most states. Each state has its own licensing requirements.
The following information will help you understand the requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician in Indiana.
Basic Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Indiana
To work in Indiana as a pharmacy technician, you must be licensed by the Indiana Board of Pharmacy and hold your “blue card” license.
To register as a pharmacy technician, visit MyLicense.in.gov to complete the online application and submit the application fee of $25.
The minimum requirements for certification vary according to the type of applicant you are:
- Must be at least 18 years old (If you are under the age of 18, you must have the qualifying pharmacist at the pharmacy where you will be working submit a statement supporting your application to be a licensed pharmacy technician.)
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED
- Must submit to a criminal background check
- Has not been convicted of a crime involving drugs or controlled substances
- Completed a training and educational program that is approved by the Board OR passed an examination by either the PTCB or ExCPT
If you have not completed training or passed one of the national examinations, you can instead apply for the Technician in Training permit. The same requirements as above apply, except training or passing a national certification exam does not apply and you will be issued a Technician in Training permit.
Renewal of licenses is required by June 30th of even-numbered years. You can renew your license at MyLicense.in.gov and submit the fee of $25.
The Technician in Training permit is valid for 1 year and is NOT renewable.
Training Requirements
Training for pharmacy technology must be obtained from one of the programs or schools approved by the Board of Pharmacy.
Make sure that the school you choose to attend is an approved Indiana Board of Pharmacy training and education program. Click here to search for approved training programs.
Certification Requirements
National certification is required to be a Certified Pharmacy Technician in Indiana and is accepted either from the PTCB or ExCPT.
Please consult Indiana’s Title 25 – Chapter 19. Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians for more information regarding requirements for pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Tech Training in Indiana
Below lists schools available for training:
Indiana University Health
Indiana University Health has an ASHP accredited IU Health Pharmacy Technician Program which upon successful completion will earn you a certificate. The program is approved by the Indiana Board of Pharmacy.
The accelerated program located in Indianapolis can be completed in 4.5 months on a full-time basis. After successful completion, you’ll be awarded a certificate and be well prepared to take one of the national pharmacy tech certification exams.
In addition, students who complete the IU Health Pharmacy Technician Program can apply to Vincennes University and receive up to 26 hours of credit toward an Associate of Science degree in Pharmacy Technology.
Location:
Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital
Wile Hall, Room 629
P.O. Box 1367
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1367
Phone: 317-962-0919
Vincennes University
Vincennes University has two programs for pharmacy technician training, the Pharmacy Technology Certificate of Graduation (CG) program and the Pharmacy Technology Certificate of Program Completion (CPC) program.
The CG program prepares technicians to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the Certified Compound Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) exams administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), as well as to become licensed Pharmacy Technicians in Indiana.
The CPC program meets the Indiana Pharmacy Technician training requirement and prepares students to take the National Pharmacy Technician Exam.
In addition to being accredited by the ASHP, the programs have won numerous awards for excellence and the best pharmacy technician school in Indiana and the US in recent years.
Location:
1002 North First Street
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
Phone: 800-742-9198
This is an excellent time to consider a career as a pharmacy technician! Pharmacy technicians are in high demand across the country, so now is an excellent time to consider this healthcare career as your next step.
If you’re thinking become a pharmacy technician in a state nearby Indiana, check out the links below:
I am currently enrolled in the pharmacy technician program at Stratford Career Institute, and o was wanting to know if this school is acceptable in order to become employed In indiana, or if I am just wasting my time and money on the course in general?
I am wondering if I take the course through Stratford Career Institute would I be able to get a job or would I be waisting my money?
Jillian – it looks like this school provides just an overview/introduction of the pharmacy tech field. We would suggest that you find a program that teaches everything you need to learn to help you pass the PTCB exam and become certified.
I am currently enrolled at Independence University in Utah online and I live in Indiana am about to graduate with 94 credits and if I am reading this right this school is not approved as proof of training to become a pharmacist? Is this true or is this school approved? If not then I just wasted almost 2 years of my time and money.
Hello Kelly – we have updated the page, The Indiana Board of Pharmacy now has a search tool for approved training programs. Please search for your school here: https://mylicense.in.gov/everification/Search.aspx?facility=Y
If you do not find your school, we suggest contacting the Indiana Board of Pharmacy directly to discuss this with them. Good luck!
I am newly licensed as a pharmacist in Indiana, but have not yet been able to start working. The market seems very saturated and I’m curious what my long term backup options are if this search runs too long. I can’t seem to find an answer to this question: Is it possible for me to work (/attain license) as a pharmacy tech? (Without surrendering my pharmacist license, obviously.)
This wouldn’t be ideal at all, and I may struggle to get hired anyway due to be considered overqualified, but working as a tech would theoretically be one way to keep my knowledge up to date and “get in” with a company. Is there anything specifically preventing this, outside of pride?
I moved here from another state after graduation, so I don’t have the benefit of connections from my past internships. Anything beats not working, if it came to that. Any knowledge is very much appreciated!