Kentucky Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Becoming a pharmacy technician in Kentucky is an excellent way to break into the booming medical industry. Federal laws apply to the mandates on how a person can train and work as a pharmacy tech, but each state in the U.S. is permitted to set standards and requirements over and above what is mandated Federally. Below, we set out what you need to do to work as a pharmacy technician in a range of businesses and areas throughout Kentucky.

Kentucky Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has the following requirements and steps in place if you want to work as a pharmacy technician:

• Applicants must be aged 18 or over to register to become a pharmacy technician. Applicants between the ages of 16-18 must submit documents to the pharmacist at the place of work to fill out
• Unlike other states, there are no formal minimum education requirements to work as a pharmacy technician in Kentucky
• You must successfully complete the certification process before working as a pharmacy technician
• You must also pass nationally recognized certification exams to practice: either that offered by the PTCB, or the ICPT
• The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy will carry out a criminal background check to ensure no criminal past that may conflict with your role
• Application to certify as a pharmacy technician costs $25; renewal is also $25
• A further $25 is payable if the applicant does not renew before the expiration date of 31^st March
• Applicants should start the renewal process 4-6 weeks before the expiration date

Special note 1: The Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Pharmacy conducts the criminal background check only when the applicant has submitted all relevant and required information.

Special note 2: Transfers from other states are not permissible in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Special note 3: Interns are exempt from these procedures.

Kentucky Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2019 states that there are 8,840 practicing pharmacy technicians in Kentucky. Average pay is presently $14.44 per hour mean average, or an average of $30,040 annually.

Most pharmacy technicians will work in dedicated drug stores and pharmacies; this area employs 51% of trained and qualified individuals. A further 17% work in clinical settings, hospitals and specialist clinics, and other direct medical care areas. In busy areas of towns and cities and where no other facilities exist, some supermarkets have concessionary pharmacies. These employ 9% of pharmacy technicians nationally.

Most pharmacies in Kentucky work 24/7. Anyone working in this role can expect some shift work, including evenings, overnight, and even weekends. Exceptions include where the concession must adhere to set hours of another business such as small grocery stores.

The BLS predicts a 4% job growth between 2019 and 2029 for pharmacy technicians. That is the present average across all jobs in the U.S.

Kentucky Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs