New Mexico Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

New Mexico Pharmacy Tech schools and certification allows individuals the opportunity to start a rewarding career as a pharmacy technician. Those who want to work as a pharmacy tech in the State of New Mexico must meet specific guidelines and licensing requirements.

Receiving the required certification first requires completing an educational program from a school that offers a pharmacy tech program. Although students have some options when deciding which program to attend or how to complete courses, such as any options at a school such as full-time or part-time, there is no option to work as a pharmacy tech without completing the requirements.

New Mexico Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department of the Board of Pharmacy lists qualities of a pharmacy technician and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about working in New Mexico as a pharmacy technician.

The description recognized by the state is that a pharmacy technician performs a variety of tasks including the preparation and distribution of medications. These and other duties are performed under the direct supervision of a properly licensed pharmacist.

Specific requirements that the pharmacy technician must adhere to includes:

• Candidate must be at least 18 years of age
• Must complete all required training
• Candidate must successfully pass a board-approved certification exam
• Must maintain current registration with the state Board of Pharmacy

It is important to note that there is a distinction between a Certified Pharmacy Technician and a Non-Certified Pharmacy Technician. A non-certified pharmacy tech is a technician that is currently working on completing the requirements for training and examination, but is not yet certified in the state.

There are other requirements for an individual to work as a pharmacy technician in the State of New Mexico, including that the person must have a high school diploma or GED, must undergo a criminal background check, including having fingerprints taken, and must complete training under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians should also plan on taking continuing education courses each year after initial certification.

Pharmacy Technician Careers and Employment Outlook

There is a great job outlook with excellent career opportunities for individuals that decide to become a New Mexico Pharmacy Technician. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the 2019 median pay for pharmacy technicians is $33,950 per year, or $16.32 per hour. The industry is expected to add well over 15,000 new jobs through at least the year 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Time will tell if there is even more potential job growth or perhaps potential salary increases for pharm techs in New Mexico. The first step, however, is to meet the state requirements in New Mexico to train and to work as a pharmacy technician.

New Mexico Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs