Oregon Pharmacy Technician Requirements and Training Programs

State and federal agencies and employers are recognizing the integral role pharmacy technicians play in the prescription processing system. Due to stringent requirements for training and certification, pharmacists are more willing to work with technicians and delegate tasks that they would normally do themselves. Standardized training and education also help to reduce medication error and build public confidence in pharmacy technicians. The Oregon Board of Pharmacy implemented new requirements for pharmacy technicians looking to register with the state. The Board requires technicians and students to secure registration before practicing in the pharmacy. Licensed pharmacy technicians have up to one year to take a national certifying exam to upgrade their license to Certified Pharmacy Technician.

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Pharmacy Technician Schools in Oregon

Oregon Pharmacy Technician Requirements

License Requirement

Oregon’s Board of Pharmacy requires pharmacy technicians and students-in-training to possess a current registration (issued by the Board) before performing the duties of a technician. The registration must be prominently displayed in the pharmacy where the technician performs his/her duties. Pharmacy technician candidates may apply for a Pharmacy Technician License or a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician License.

On February 10, 2022, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted temporary rules regarding pharmacy technician licensure. The changes include the ability to renew a Pharmacy Technician (PT) license – previously not permitted. Licensure as a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT) – becomes optional, rather than required, for continued licensure.

Beginning January 1, 2015, all applicants for licensure must be at least 18 years and hold a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, applicants will need to pass a criminal background check to be eligible for registration. Applicants for Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician must successfully complete the PTCB or NHA’s requirements and pass the national examination. Although the Board does not specifically require technicians to complete formal pharmacy technician training, graduates of training programs are more likely to pass the national exams and obtain employment. Additionally, the NHA requires applicants for certification to provide proof of training through an accredited institution. In lieu of formal training, the NHA will accept 12 months of pharmacy-related experience. The PTCB requires applicants for certification to complete an accredited pharmacy technician program as part of the certification requirements.

Once the Board issues the registration, the technicians’ obligations to the Board does not end there. Technicians must inform the Board of name or address changes within 15 days and perform only the duties the Board approves for pharmacy technicians. The pharmacist-in-charge must verify the status of prospective employees with the Board before extending an offer of employment and also ensure that employees maintain their registration while they continue to work.

Age Requirement

The Board requires pharmacy technicians to be at least 18 years before applying for state registration.

Education Requirement

Effective January 1, 2015, Oregon’s pharmacy technicians and Certified Pharmacy Technicians must hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent to be eligible for registration.

Other Requirements

A report from a national FBI fingerprint background check must accompany all new applications for registration or reinstatement. Those applying for reciprocity must also undergo a criminal background check. Holders of Oregon’s pharmacy technician license do not need to retake fingerprints if the application for Certified Pharmacy Technician is submitted and processed by the Board within 12 months of the initial fingerprint submission.

Applicants must respond truthfully to the criminal history questions on the application for registration. Untruthful answers or incomplete responses could lead to denial of the application. The Board requires applicants to report DUII, MIP violations, theft, shoplifting, assault violations, and other misdemeanors or felonies. It is not necessary to report speeding tickets and traffic infractions.

Responding “yes” does not mean automatic denial of the request for registration. However, there might be a delay in processing the application as the Board gathers further information before making a decision. To help expedite the process, those with prior convictions should submit the following with the completed application:

  • A written explanation of the circumstances surrounding the conviction
  • Copies of all the police reports
  • Court documents
  • Any other related document

The Pharmacy Technician Program

Content

Oregon’s Board of Pharmacy recommends ASHP accredited program and those accredited by recognized institutions. ASHP programs are recognized nationwide, making it easy for pharmacy technicians to transfer from one state to another. The curriculum of accredited programs prepares students for practice as entry-level pharmacy technicians in numerous settings. Graduates have the knowledge, abilities and skills needed to practice in community pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care.

Programs comprise of didactic, simulated and experiential components to produce well-rounded graduates. The didactic component includes those parts of the curriculum that do not require demonstration in the simulated and experiential settings. This normally takes place in a classroom setting where students learn basic and complex concepts and skills. Common topics include pharmacology, medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, compounding, I.V. flow rates, dispensing medication, administration, medical billing, laws, and ethics.

In a simulated setting, students practice skills in preparation for the clinical experience. Students learn via instructor demonstration and receive feedback and an evaluation of their performance. The final phase of the training involves work/training in a clinical setting where students interact with pharmacists, technicians, customers and other members of the pharmacy care team.

Duration and Cost

ASHP-accredited programs consist of a minimum of 600 clock hours of didactic, simulated and experiential training that extends for a period of 15 weeks or more. The experiential activities take place in different contemporary settings (at least two) – community and hospital pharmacy.

Other training programs cover fewer hours ranging from 150 hours to 300 hours that students complete in 4 to 8 weeks. Since the Board of Pharmacy does not stipulate training requirements for pharmacy technicians, it’s left to the student to choose a program based on personal goals.

Training costs an average of $2,250. Online pharmacy technician programs cost an average of $2,500. Advertised costs do not cover essential expenses, such as textbooks, course materials, uniform, criminal background check, insurance, immunization, certification and state registration. Financial aid may be available at accredited institutions.

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of training is to train under a pharmacist-in-charge at your place of employment. A growing number of employers prefer trained and certified technicians. However, a few employers still train new employees to manage the responsibilities associated with their pharmacy technician roles. All technicians in training must register with the Board of Pharmacy before practicing/training in the pharmacy setting.

National Exams

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy requires state technicians to acquire certification through the national certifying agencies, such as the NHA and the PTCB. However, there are other advantages to getting certified. National certification demonstrates to employers that your knowledge, skills and abilities are on par with national standards. Certified Pharmacy Technicians must re-certify every 2 years after completing at least 20 hours of Continuing Education credit. This requirement ensures pharmacy technicians provide value to patients and customers. National certification also increases pharmacy technicians’ job prospects and rate of pay.

The PTCB designs and develops the PTCE and is the oldest certifying agency across the nation. Before acquiring the CPhT designation through the PTCB, you must first:

  • Provide proof of high school completion or GED.
  • Disclose any criminal convictions or actions taken against you by any state Board of Pharmacy.
  • Submit documentation of completing an accredited pharmacy technician program.
  • Agree to abide by the Board’s policies.
  • Attain a passing grade on the PTCE.

The Board may deny your application based on the outcome of a review of your criminal conviction, actions of discipline, and violation of the Board’s policies. You must submit your application using the online portal unless the Board approves your written request to submit a paper application based on extenuating circumstances. Once the Board approves the application, you can schedule a convenient test date at any one of Pearson Vue’s testing centers across Oregon. The PTCB’s two-hour exam comprises of 90 multiple choice questions. The cost for initial certification is $129, and the renewal fee is $40 every two years.

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The NHA’s ICPT is the second option for acquiring state certification. More and more state Boards and employers are recognizing the value of the ICPT, which gives pharmacy technicians another option. If you prefer to go the route of the ICPT, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED
  • Provide proof of formal pharmacy technician training or at least 12 months of pharmacy-related experience (acquired in the last 36 months).

The exam is available at more than 200 LSI/LaserGrade centers across the US, including centers in Oregon. The two-hour exam contains 120 questions that cover areas like Drug Products, Regulation and Technician Duties, and the Dispensing Process. Certification costs $110.

Acquiring Your State License

Application

There are two options for pharmacy technicians registering with the Board of Pharmacy. Applicants without national certification can apply for the one-year pharmacy technician license and complete the requirements of the NHA or PTCB to obtain national certification. The second license option, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician, is applicable to those who are nationally certified. For both licenses, applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old.

Pharmacy Technician Application:

  • Visit mylicense/eGov to “register”/create a new personal account or log into an existing eGov account to apply for a Pharmacy Technician license
  • Make the payment of $146.25 – $100 application fee and $46.25 national fingerprint background check fee
  • Submit an original 2”x2” passport/visa style photograph taken within the last 6 months
  • Provide personal identification – Either a copy of your birth certificate AND a color copy of the front and back of your signed state issued photo ID OR a color copy of your signed U.S. Passport.
  • Applicants born outside of the United States must submit a color copy of your country passport and work visa or country passport & Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or country birth certificate & naturalization document or residency card.
  • Submit the following items online if you have been arrested or cited for violations of the law
    • A written description of the incidents that led to each arrest/charge and the surrounding circumstances
    • Copies of all police reports
    • Court documents
    • Other related documents

Once your completed application, licensing fees and fingerprint processing fee have been received and reviewed by the Board, the instructions to complete your fingerprints will be available to download in “Documents” of your online eGov account.

There is an additional $12.50 fee for scheduling your fingerprint appointment at a Fieldprint facility near you. Your fingerprints will be electronically submitted to the Oregon State Police and the results will be sent to the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.

Fingerprint processing could take up to 30 days.

It is illegal to work as a Pharmacy Technician after your license expires unless you have received your Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician license or you renew your pharmacy technician license.

Certified Pharmacy Technician Application

  • Visit mylicense/eGov to “register”/create a new personal account or log into an existing eGov account to apply for a Pharmacy Technician license
  • Make the payment of $146.25 – $100 application fee and $46.25 national fingerprint background check fee
  • Submit an original 2”x2” passport/visa style photograph taken within the last 6 months
  • Provide personal identification – Either a copy of your birth certificate AND a color copy of the front and back of your signed state issued photo ID OR a color copy of your signed U.S. Passport.
  • Applicants born outside of the United States must submit a color copy of your country passport and work visa or country passport & Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or country birth certificate & naturalization document or residency card.
  • Submit the following items online if you have been arrested or cited for violations of the law
    • A written description of the incidents that led to each arrest/charge and the surrounding circumstances
    • Copies of all police reports
    • Court documents
    • Other related documents
  • A copy of PTCB or NHA certification
  • Consent to a new criminal background check, if the previous background check is older than 12 months

The Board requires 4 to 6 weeks to process the application. Technicians upgrading their licenses from pharmacy technicians to certified pharmacy technicians should submit the new application at least 4 to 6 weeks before the initial license expires. This is the only way to guarantee uninterrupted employment since technicians cannot work without a license.

Renewal

On February 10, 2022, the Oregon Board of Pharmacy adopted temporary rules that permit pharmacy technicians (PT) to renew their license – thus removing the requirement for certification to continue licensure.

Pharmacy Technician licenses will expire June 30 of each even year, beginning Feb 22, 2022. After renewal, PT licenses expiring 6/30/2022, will be issued a license expiring 6/30/2024

PT licenses expiring 6/30/2023 will be issued a license expiring 6/30/2024 at a reduced fee.

The new rules also includes the ability to reinstate a lapsed PT license once license has been expired more than one year – the newly adopted rules remove the 5-year waiting period and the option to petition for an “extension” of a Pharmacy Technician license.

Licensure as a Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician (COPT) – becomes optional, rather than required, for continued licensure

Pharmacy technicians must now complete continuing education requirements for the 6/30/2024 renewal of the PT license.

The renewal fee for Pharmacy Technician and Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician licenses is $104.

Transfer

Use the following guidelines to work in Oregon if you’re licensed to work in another state.

  • Fill out the application for registration.
  • Submit evidence of completing high school and national certification and consent to a background check. Applicants must be in good standing with the Board of Pharmacy in their home state.

Contact the Board:

Oregon Board of Pharmacy
800 NE Oregon St., Suite 150
Portland, OR 97232-2162
Phone: 971-673-0001
Fax: 971-673-0002
Email: pharmacy.board@state.or.us

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Oregon

Albany, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Linn-Benton Community College
6500 Pacific Blvd. SW
Albany, Oregon 97321
541 917 4999

Bend, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Central Oregon Community College
2600 N.W. College Way
Bend, Oregon 97701
541-383-7700

Eugene, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Lane Community College
4000 East 30th Ave.,
Eugene, Oregon 97405
(541) 463-3000

Grants Pass, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Rogue Community College
3345 Redwood Hwy,
Grants Pass, OR 97527
(541) 956-7500

Pendleton, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Blue Mountain Community College
2411 NW Carden Ave.
PO Box 100, Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-1260

Portland, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:

Heald College – Portland Campus
6035 NE 78th Court
Portland , OR 97218
(503) 229-0492

Portland Community College- Rock Creek Campus
17705 NW Springville Rd.
Portland, OR 97229
971-722-6111

Carrington College- Portland Campus
2004 Lloyd Center, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97232
503-616-9132

Salem, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr., NE
PO Box 14007
Salem, OR 97309-7070
(503) 365-4696

Institute of Technology – Salem
4700 Silverton Road Northeast
Salem, OR 97305
1.888.319.7180

Northwest Institute for Healthcare Training
1860 Hawthorne Ave NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-743-1195

Springfield, OR Pharmacy Technician Training Programs:
Pioneer Pacific College PPC
3800 Sports Way,
Springfield, OR 97477
541-684-4644

Oregon Medical Training
1126 Gateway Loop, Suite 108
Springfield, OR 97477
541-343-3100

 

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