As a skilled member of the pharmacy team, a pharmacy technician assumes the administrative and technical responsibilities related to the receipt, preparation, and dispensing of prescription drugs. Pharmacy technicians in Nevada work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist to repackage and label unit dose and unit of use, mix drugs with parenteral fluids, prepare, package compound and label prescription drugs, prepare bulk compounds, maintain pharmaceutical records, transfer a prescription through a computer network (under specific conditions), request refill authorizations, and maintain inventories of supplies of drugs. A pharmacy technician cannot attend to those tasks that require the proficiency of a licensed pharmacist. These include tasks requiring a judgmental decision regarding a drug, interpretation of a prescription or the instructions for preparation of a prescription, and taking a new prescription or chart order over the telephone.
Pharmacy Tech Schools in Nevada
Nevada Pharmacy Technician License Requirements
A pharmacy technician in Nevada may practice as a registered pharmacy technician or as a pharmacy technician in training. Both options require approval from the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. Pharmaceutical technicians in training can make up to required hours for registration as a pharmacy technician through practice at several pharmacies. The hours must be made up at a pharmacy in Nevada. A separate registration is required for each pharmacy. Therefore, a separate application and fee of $50 must be submitted for each place of employment. Pharmaceutical technicians in training have up to two years to make up the hours required for registration as a pharmacy technician.
A person applying for registration as a pharmacy technician must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a high school graduate or the equivalent
- Not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that involves moral turpitude, dishonesty or the unlawful possession, sale or use of drugs
- Have no history of drug abuse
- Have completed one of the following
- Licensure or registration as a pharmaceutical technician in a state that licenses or registers pharmaceutical technicians
- Completed 1,500 hours as a pharmacy technician in training in Nevada
- Graduated from an ASHP accredited program and completed 350 hours in Nevada as a registered pharmaceutical technician in training or
- Graduated from a school in another state that is not ASHP accredited and have passed the PTCB national exam
Age Requirement
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to register as a pharmacy technician in Nevada.
Education Requirement
The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy requires all applicants to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Nevada registration also requires completion of an ASHP accredited program or completion of 1,500 hours as a pharmacy technician in training.
Other Requirements
Applicants must undergo a criminal background check prior to registration as a pharmacy technician in Nevada. Like other health care workers, pharmacy technicians have a critical role in public health and the privacy of patients. Unlike other health care workers, pharmacy technicians might have ready access to controlled substances. This one point places the onus on employers and state boards to ensure that each technician has the capacity to function responsibly in the role. The criminal history check will confirm that the candidate for registration does not have a criminal history, especially those related to abuse of controlled substances, or any disciplinary actions taken by a state board. The Nevada State Board of Nevada will determine each case individually to ensure that potential technicians can work as responsible members of the health care team. Background checks are conducted at the applicant’s expense.
The Pharmacy Technician Program
Content
The Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to fill the role and function of a pharmacy technician through hands-on training and education. Students will learn the skills and procedures needed to function as competent technicians in hospitals, pharmacy labs, and community pharmacies. They will learn how to receive and interpret prescriptions and prepare medications for dispensing to the customer. Topics covered include non-sterile drug compounding, record keeping, packaging and labeling medication, managing inventory, customer service, pharmacy billing software, medical terminology, laws and regulation governing practice, patient confidentiality, drug and their effects, pharmacy calculations, and preparation for national certification.
Duration and Cost
Pharmacy technician programs can lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. The duration and cost of the program will be determined by the credential awarded at the conclusion. A pharmacy technician degree is not essential for registration and practice in Nevada but could be beneficial to someone who plans to continue their studies in the field. Degree programs include core studies plus general education courses. These can be completed in 18 to 24 months if attending full time.
The diploma is another option. It requires a time commitment of approximately 9 to 12 months based on full-time attendance. The training will include theory and practical training related to the duties of the pharmacy technician. The pharmacy technician externship is a key feature of programs accredited by the ASHP. Certificate programs are much shorter than degree or diploma programs and are therefore more affordable. The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy recognizes ASHP accredited programs and permits a reduction in the hours required for practice as a pharmacy technician in training to graduates of an accredited program.
Pharmacy technician programs cost approximately $5,400 for tuition, fees, and clinical externship. Students must also budget for uniforms, textbooks, and state application.
National Exams
National certification is not required for registration as a pharmacy technician in Nevada. However, it may be used in conjunction with a certificate from a non-ASHP accredited school to qualify for registration. Employers may require certification from their pharmacy technician employees.
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board bestows the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential to successful candidates. Eligibility requirements include:
- Completion of a PTCB recognized pharmacy technician training program or equivalent work experience (500 hours minimum)
- Full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
- Meet all the applicable PTCB certification policies
- Take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
- Pay the fee of $129
The preliminary scores presented upon completion of the exam provide an indication of your performance but are not official. The official scores will be published within two to three weeks following the exam. The PTCB will update your certification status (verifiable on the website) after this time. The certificate will be available to download on your PTCB dashboard if you pass the exam. The certification must be renewed every 2 years to maintain the credential. Recertification requires completion of 20 hours of CE.
The ICPT designs and develops the ExCPT exam. To be eligible to take the ExCPT, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have a completed a training program or have at least 12 months of pharmacy-related experience – completed within 36 months of the application date
- Take and pass the ExCPT exam
- Pay the exam fee of $105
Pharmacy technician programs include preparation for success on the PTCB and ExCPT exams.
Acquiring Your State License
Application
Candidates for licensure must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED equivalent. A criminal background check, practice hours, and pharmacy technician training are some other requirements for registration in Nevada. Pharmacy technician candidates can apply for registration as a pharmaceutical technician in training or a pharmaceutical technician.
Pharmaceutical Technician In Training Application:
- Download, complete, and mail the application to the State Board of Pharmacy
- Include the non-refundable application fee of $50. The fee is payable to the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
- Submit an application for each pharmacy. Every location requires a separate application and fee of $50
- Complete all questions on the application. Use N/A where necessary
- Have the managing pharmacist sign the application
- Provide proof of age and attest to completing high school or equivalent
- Provide an explanation and supporting documents for any Yes responses relating to your ability to perform the essential functions of your license
- Sign the application and submit the original copy
Pharmaceutical Technician Application:
- Download, complete, and mail the application to the State Board of Pharmacy
- Include the non-refundable application fee of $50. The fee is payable to the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
- Complete all questions on the application. Use N/A where necessary
- Provide a copy of registration or on-line verification from the state of current registration as a pharmacy technician or
- Copy of certificate from an ASHP approved pharmacy technician school or
- Copy of certificate from a non-ASHP approved school and PTCB or ICPT
- Provide proof of age and attest to completing high school or equivalent
- Provide an explanation and supporting documents for any Yes responses relating to your ability to perform the essential functions of your license
- Sign the application and submit the original copy
The State Board of Pharmacy will issue a certificate of registration after receiving the application and fee. Applicants are not required to live or practice in Nevada to obtain registration as a pharmacy technician.
Pharmacy technician registrations expire on October 31st of even-numbered years.
Renewal
Pharmacy technician licenses expire on October 31 of even-numbered years. The renewal window is available from September 1 of the same year. Online renewal begins approximately 45 days prior to expiration. The Board will email the updated certificate within 1 to 3 days of online renewal. The renewal fee may be submitted online using a credit or debit card or via checks made out to Nevada State Board of Pharmacy.
Expired licenses may be renewed online if they expired less than two years. Expired licenses of more than two years must be verified by the Board.
Steps to renewing a registration:
- Complete the renewal application form online or submit a paper application with a check or money order in the amount of $50 and made out to the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
- Renewal applications that are postmarked after the expiration date must be accompanied by the late fee
- Provide an explanation and any support documentation for any numbered question with a Yes response
- Sign the application and submit the original – not a copy
Employment is not required to renew registration. Technicians living and practicing in Nevada must complete one hour of an approved Nevada Law continuing education prior to renewal. The certificate of CE must be maintained on file at the pharmacy.
Technicians in training must also complete one hour of an approved Nevada Law CE before renewal.
Contact the Board:
Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
985 Damonte Ranch Pkwy
Ste 206
Reno, NV 89521
(775) 850-1440 – Phone
1-800-364-2081 – Toll-Free
(775) 850-14444 – Fax
ASHP Accredited Pharmacy Technician Schools in Nevada
Las Vegas, NV pharmacy technician programs:
Asher College – Las Vegas
6029 W Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas NV 89146-1116
(702) 836-9900
Milan Institute – Las Vegas
710 S Tonopath Drive
Las Vegas NV 89106
(702) 671-4242
Nevada Career Institute
3231 N. Decatur Blvd, Suite 201
Las Vegas NV 89130
(626) 856-3472
Northwest Career College
7398 Smoke Ranch Road
Las Vegas NV 89128
(702) 254-7577
Pima Medical Institute
3333 East Flamingo Road
Las Vegas NV 89121
(702) 458-9650 x219 ext. x219
Reno, NV pharmacy technician programs:
Sierra Nevada Job Corps
14175 Mt. Charleston St.
Reno NV 89506
(775) 789-0976