South Carolina Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Those considering a career as a pharmacy technician in South Carolina should be aware there are a number of legally required steps you need to take in order to work in the industry. Some of these are based on industry regulation, some are Federal law, and the state may set additional requirements if they wish. Here, we explain what you need to do to follow a career path of working as a pharmacy technician in South Carolina.

South Carolina Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The South Carolina Board of Pharmacy requires the following of applicants looking to work as pharmacy technicians in the state:

• The applicant is required to have a minimum High School Diploma or GED along with supporting evidence such as transcripts
• You may only apply for registration in South Carolina when already working in the role and have accumulated 1,000 hours of experience. Evidence will be required from the out of state pharmacy
• Must have finished a formal training course. South Carolina recognizes ASHP only
• Must have passed a national exam recognized in the state of South Carolina. SC recognizes ExCPT and PTCB
• Minimum age requirement is 18 for all applicants
• You must pass a formal criminal record check to work in South Carolina. Applicants are also required to self-declare convictions with supporting court documents along with this check
• South Carolina currently charges no certification fee; therefore, no renewal fee

Special note 1: There is no reciprocity for South Carolina. Those transferring from another state must provide evidence of matching all the above requirements - especially the 1000 hours of work experience.

Special note 2: The South Carolina Board of Pharmacy will only process an application once all details are received.

Special note 3: Interns are exempt from the above. Pharmacy for which the intern works must fill out relevant documentation.

South Carolina Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2019 report stated that there were 7,109 operating pharmacy technicians in South Carolina. The median hourly pay rate landed at $15.24, while the mean average was $15.70. The average annual salary was $32,660 for this state.

51% of pharmacy technicians across the U.S. are employed in dedicated pharmacy outlets - drug stores and retail pharmacies. 17% of pharmacy technicians work in a clinical setting alongside frontline pharmacists. 9% work in non-pharmacy outlets such as food retailers as concessionary booths and counters where dedicated pharmacists may not exist.

Pharmacy hours are typically around the clock, especially in big cities and places with high-volume customers. This means pharmacy technicians can expect to work evenings, weekends, and some holiday shifts. Non-dedicated / concessionary outlets (such as those within supermarkets) may adhere to more limited hours.

Pharmacy technician roles are expected to grow 4% in the decade between 2019 and 2029. This is the present calculated average of all jobs in the United States.

South Carolina Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs