Minnesota Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Researching Minnesota Pharmacy Tech schools and certification requirements is a great step to take if you are interested in a new career as a pharmacy technician, or if you want to change careers and enter the field. Complying with the state regulations and other requirements is important to becoming a pharmacy technician in the state.

Practicing as a pharmacy tech requires attending a school that offers a pharmacy technician program. Successfully completing the program can put you on the path to having a rewarding career as a Minnesota Pharmacy Technician.

Minnesota Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Minnesota Legislature, and the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy both have specific rules and regulations that an individual must comply with to become a pharmacy technician in the State of Minnesota. The Minnesota Administrative Rules specifically states that an individual may not work as a pharmacy technician, nor perform any tasks of a pharmacy technician unless the individual is registered with the board. The initial registration application must include proof of high school graduation or GED completion.

Pharmacy technicians in the State of Minnesota must renew their registration on an annual basis. The state requires that a pharmacy technician completes a pharmacy technician program that meets the requirements designated by the Minnesota Legislature.

The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy further clarifies the requirements to become a pharmacy technician, indicating that the candidate for a new pharmacy technician must complete a board-approved pharmacy technician program within 12 months of registering with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

Additional requirements to work as a pharmacy technician include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must apply for registration and obtain a registration number and re-register each year
• Pharmacy technicians must work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist stationed in the same work area
• Pharmacy technicians must comply with training that is provided by the pharmacist in charge at their workplace
• May not perform duties that are specifically reserved for licensed pharmacists or that requires professional judgment
• Pharmacy technicians must not represent themselves as a pharmacist in any manner

Any pharmacy technician that violates any rules or that falsifies any information is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including denial or suspension of their registration.

Completing an educational program at a school that offers a pharmacy technician program prepares future pharmacy technicians for a rewarding career.

Minnesota Pharmacy Technician Careers and Employment Outlook

The opportunity to help others, and to learn new skills under the direction of a pharmacist and in compliance with the statutes of the Minnesota Legislature and rules set forth by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, are often attractive reasons for some individuals to become pharmacy technicians.

There is an expected job growth in the pharmacy technician career field over the next several years. There is an anticipated job growth of more than 15,000 new pharmacy technician position openings around the country, including in Minnesota.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the aging population is one contributing factor to the expected job growth. Older people typically need more medications than younger people. The high rates of certain diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, lead to the need for new pharmacy technicians. New medications that are being developed to help fight disease or illness may also contribute to the anticipated job growth for pharmacy technicians.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median 2019 earnings of a pharmacy technician at $33,950, or $16.32 per hour. Meeting the Minnesota pharmacy technician requirements is the first step towards entering this career with anticipated job growth.

Minnesota Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs