Massachusetts Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

If you are seeking work as a pharmacy technician in Massachusetts, there are certain criteria to which you must adhere and certain standards that the state imposes. Although Federal laws determine many aspects of pharmacy technician working requirements, each state may also request additional requirements. This is your guide to working as a pharmacy technician in the state of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy lists the following requirements for people seeking work as a pharmacy technician in the state:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
• Supply all personal details including SSN for a criminal record check. Must have no drug or controlled substance-related convictions
• Minimum education requirement of a High School Diploma or equivalent such as GED
• You must have completed the PTCB, ICPT, or other training program recognized in the state of Massachusetts
• Alternatively, you can pass an exam at your place of work as part of the employment, but the exam must be Massachusetts Board-approved
• If you already have this certification, Massachusetts requires you to provide evidence of this
• You are required to have already fulfilled 500 hours as a trainee pharmacy technician or passed a board-approved training program
• The application fee to certify as a pharmacy technician in Massachusetts is $150; annual renewal fee is $60. Massachusetts accepts cash orders and credit card payments only
• Late renewal fees are $57 (over and above renewal fee)
• Licenses renew on your birthday

Special note 1: Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy will only process personal details for criminal record checking once all information has been received

Special note 2: Transfers from other states are permitted. If it is current, you will need an official statement from that state of licensure stating that it is in good standing with no disciplinary action either pending or complete.

Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports as of 2019 that there are 9,950 pharmacy technicians working in the state of Massachusetts. The average pay rates were worked out at $17.04 median average, $18.06 mean average, and the annual salary average is $37,570.

Pharmacy technicians will nearly always work in dedicated pharmacies and drug stores (51% of the work base). 17% work in a clinical setting, such as hospitals, care centers, and local clinics. A further 9% of pharmacy technicians work in concessions in a wide variety of related or unrelated retail outlets including grocery stores, personal care shops, and health food stores.

Pharmacies in Massachusetts typically work around the clock and so pharmacy technicians can expect to work weekends, evenings, and night shifts where pharmacy hours dictate. Where the pharmacy facility is in a health food or grocery store, hours will typically be dictated by the store's operating hours.

Job growth is expected to be 4% in the 2019-2029 decade, the average of all jobs at present.

Massachusetts Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs