Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Virginia
To work as a pharmacy technician in the state of Virginia, you must register with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. To register with 
the state, fully complete and submit the online Application for Registration as a Pharmacy Technician and registration fee of $25.
Registrations must be renewed annually through online submission with a $25 fee.
Basic Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Virginia
The following are the minimum requirements to register as a pharmacy technician:
- Must have completed a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program
- Must have current certification from the PTCB OR has passed the Virginia Pharmacy Technician exam
Training Requirements
Virginia requires successful completion from a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program. A list of approved programs can be found here.
In addition to choosing a school that is Board-approved, also check that the program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs that are accredited by the ASHP have shown that they meet the recommended requirements to help enable you to pass one of the national exams.
All pharmacy techs are required to complete at least 5 continuing education credits per year. The CE courses must be from an ACPE approved, specified Category 1 CME or one that is approved by the Board.
Certification Requirements
The state of Virginia recognizes the PTCB national certification for pharmacy technicians.
Please consult the Virginia Statutes and Codes, 54.1-3321 – Registration of Pharmacy Technicians for more information regarding requirements for pharmacy techs.
Pharmacy Tech Training in Virginia
Below lists schools available for training:
Fortis College, with locations in Norfolk and Richmond, offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Training program where you will learn all the basic aspects of pharmacy practice. You can earn your certificate after 36 weeks and then be prepared to take and pass the PTCB exam. The schools is approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
Contact the school at 855-4-FORTIS for more information.
ECPI University, with campuses located in Virginia Beach, Newport News and Northern Virginia, offers a Pharmacy Technician Certification Program that is approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Upon completion you will prepared to take either the PTCB or Virginia Pharmacy Technician examinations.
To learn more about ECPI and the training program, call 800-986-1200.
If you did not renew your license for the last 2 years but now you would like to get back into being a pharmacy technician do you have to take the test again or what are the requirements? Thanks!
Marcia – please see this page, and also contact the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to answer your question
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Pharmacy/pharmacy_faq.htm
Are the requirements the same for a pharmacy technician doing remote work for Virginia? I’m not currently located in VA, but would like to see what I have to complete to work remotely
Can I still become a pharmacy technician if I have a conviction on my record? It was a misdemeanor but I had to plead non-contest guilty and take the felony penalty. Please e-mail me th answer. Thank you!
I have been PTCB certified for 12 years and registered with the state of TN for 13 years. Would I still have to take training classes?
Aaron – Please visit this FAQ page for specific answers to your questions to be a pharmacy tech in Virignia: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Pharmacy/pharmacy_faq.htm#TechRegistration. At the very least, you would need to apply for registration here: http://www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/
How long dose it take to complete the class?
It depends on the school you choose, they vary based on structure of the program.
Are you required to have the certification before you can even work for a Pharmacy? Or is there a time limit with the Pharmacy so to speak that you must complete your certification within a certain amount of time?
Per VA law, having your certification is one way to work in a pharmacy. Otherwise you must be registered as a pharmacy tech, have completed a program and passed the VA pharmacy exam. Please see this page for details: http://statutes.laws.com/virginia/title-54-1/chapter-33/54-1-3321
I pass the ptcb exam but I didn’t take the training . Can i register as pharmacy technician.
Elsa – if you have already passed the PTCB exam, you’ll just need to register with the Board of Pharmacy. Otherwise you will need to complete an approved program – see here for more info: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Roadmap/OccupationalRoadmap.pdf
Is there anything in the criminal field that will hold you up from this kind of job after training?
Amanda – in reviewing the statutes and codes for VA, we don’t see anything regarding your question. To be sure however, you may want to contact the VA Board of Pharmacy directly to ask your specific question.
Some employers are requiring at least 2 years of Pharmacy Technician experience to be eligible for their jobs. They say it’s the requirement of the Virginia Board. Can you tell me what exactly counts as such experience. I have non-licensed experience as a trainee as well as a clerk in the pharmacy and I also have a licensed portion of experience. The hiring employers don’t seem to be able to answer my question. The VA Board web site does not have that information. Thank you.