Pharmacy Technician Requirements and Training Programs in Indiana

A pharmacy technician’s role encompasses all the tasks that do not require the clinical judgment of a pharmacist. Some of the technician’s key roles include dispensing medication, billing and insurance, managing inventory, purchasing, repacking medication, compounding sterile and non-sterile products and data input. In order to fulfill their demanding roles, Indiana’s Board of Pharmacy requires new pharmacy technicians to complete specific training and testing requirements. Indiana is one of many states that require pharmacy technicians to obtain training through a board-approved program before performing specific duties on the job. Upon licensure, pharmacy technician can work in retail establishments, hospitals, and long term care.

Indiana Pharmacy Technician Requirements

License Requirement

Anyone who begins working at a pharmacy must obtain a technician-in-training permit from the Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of employment. Failure to obtain the “blue card” permit is a Class D felony. A pharmacy technician-in-training is any individual enrolled in a board-approved pharmacy technician program for the purpose of taking a board-approved exam. The non-renewable permit remains valid for one year, and the trainee must fulfill the training requirements within the one-year period. After completing the education program or approved certification exam (PTCB or ExCPT), the trainee can submit appropriate documentation to the board to obtain the pharmacy technician certification.

Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for your pharmacy technician license or technician-in-training permit. The state board will waive this requirement if a licensed pharmacist at your place of employment submits a statement supporting your request for licensure.

Education Requirement

The Indiana Board of Pharmacy requires a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite to licensure. However, there are several ways to circumnavigate this requirement if you don’t have a high school diploma or GED:

Provide a statement of your academic performance, from your school counselor, and a copy of your current transcript if you’re currently enrolled in high school. You’ll also need an accompanying statement from a licensed pharmacist supporting your request to become a pharmacy technician.
Provide a progress report if you’re currently pursuing your GED. The report must come from an authorized individual at the center where you’re taking your GED. You’ll also need a written statement from a pharmacist confirming your intent to become a pharmacy technician.
If you’re in high school or pursuing a GED, the board will consider a statement from a pharmacist where you plan to work.

Other Requirements

To qualify for state licensure, you must submit to a criminal background check. The board will not grant approval to anyone who has a criminal conviction that impairs their ability to work with controlled substances or legend drugs.

The Pharmacy Technician Program

Content

Board-approved training programs teach students the specifics of their role as a pharmacy technician and provide the knowledge and skills required to execute their duties. According the Board of Pharmacy’s guidelines, students must receive specific training the duties required to assist a pharmacist in the technical functions associated with the practice of pharmacy, and shall include, at a minimum, the following:

understanding the duties and responsibilities of the technician and the pharmacist, including the standards of patient confidentiality and ethics governing pharmacy practice;
tasks and technical skills, policies, and procedures related to the technician’s position;
working knowledge of the pharmaceutical-medical terminology, abbreviations, and symbols commonly used in prescriptions and drug orders;
working knowledge of the general storage, packaging, and labeling requirements of drugs, prescriptions, or drug orders;
ability to perform the arithmetic calculations required for the usual dosage determinations;
working knowledge and understanding of the essential functions related to drug purchasing and inventory control; and
the record keeping functions associated with prescriptions and drug orders.

After completing training, you can submit details of your training and education to the state board to update your status from technician-in-training to pharmacy technician. The pharmacy where you work will also need to keep records of your training, including the completion date or proof of passing a Board-recognized certification exam.

Duration and Cost

Pharmacy technician programs range from $2,450 to $17,500 in Indiana. The duration depends on the training program and can be anywhere from 4 months to 12 months, including classroom, clinical and laboratory training. Some hybrid programs offer online instruction followed by clinical and hands-on lab in a traditional setting. Financial aid may be available to reduce out-of-pocket costs. College credits may also be available for pharmacy technicians who plan to pursue further education to become a licensed pharmacist.

National Exams

Indiana recognizes both the PTCB and ExCPT exams. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board offers the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which was designed specifically for certifying pharmacy technicians. The PTCE is widely recognized and endorsed, especially by larger corporations and hospitals. The computer-based exam comprises of 90 multiple-choice questions, which candidates must complete within 110 minutes. The test costs $129.

The Examination for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) is the second option for pharmacy technician certification. Established by Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT), this exam is acquiring a growing acceptance by state boards and prospective employers. The exam comprises of 120 multiple-choice questions, which candidates must complete in 2 hours. The test costs $110.

Acquiring Your State License

Application

Your first step to licensure as a pharmacy technician is to apply for a Pharmacy Technician-In-Training permit. Apply for a permit only if you have not met the state’s training requirements or completed a state-recognized examination.

Submit the following to the Board of Pharmacy:

A completed application and the $25 application fee using a credit card or debit card online
Complete a satisfactory criminal background check according to the Board of Pharmacy guidelines
Positive Response Documentation if you answer “Yes” to any questions on the application. Explain fully in statement that includes all details, including the violation, location, date, cause number, and disposition.
Name Change Documentation if your name differs from that on any of your documents – documents may include a marriage certificate or divorce decree
Documentation of meeting the age requirement (18 years)
Copy of high school diploma or GED transcripts showing you graduated. If you do not have a high school diploma or GED you may obtain a technician-in-training permit, provided you only practice in a Board-approved training program (you must submit proof either from the Pharmacy or School on what approved program you will be in – this can be in the form of a letter) and submit documentation that you are actively pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
Proof of completing an Indiana Board-approved training and education program or passing an Indiana Board-approved examination (PTCB or ExCPT). Upload your certification at the time of application
Affidavit of Completion of Certificate of Completion from a Board approved training program or copy of PTCB or ExCPT certificate if you hold an active technician-in-training certificate

Renewal

Indiana’s pharmacy technician licenses expire on June 30th in even-numbered years.

You may renew your license online at MYLicense.IN.gov

The pharmacy technician license renewal fee is $25.

Transfers

Indiana does not accept license transfers from other states. Pharmacy technicians from other states must meet Indiana’s license requirements for licensure within the state.

The Indiana State Board of Pharmacy Information
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana
Telephone: (317) 234-2067
Fax: (317) 233-4236
http://www.in.gov/pla/pharmacy.htm

State-Approved Pharmacy Technician Training Programs in Indiana

Anderson, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Community Hospital of Anderson

1515 N. Madison Ave.

Anderson, IN 46011

Ivy Tech Community College

104 W 53rd St

Anderson, IN 46013

765-643-7133 X 327

St. John’s Hospital

2015 Jackson St.

Anderson, IN 46106

765-646-8145

Auburn, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Dekalb Memorial Hospital

1316 Seventh St.

Auburn, IN 46706

Avon Park, FL Pharmacy Technician programs:

PharmacyTrainer Schools, LLC

2135 N Roxbury Rd

Avon Park, FL 33825

863-453-0344

Albany, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers

1600 Albany St.

Beech Grove, IN 46107

Bloomington, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Bloomington Hospital

605 W. Second St.

Bloomington, IN 47042

812-353-9560

Bristol, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Bristol Pharmacy

330 E Elkhart PO Box 577

Bristol, IN 46507

574-848-0660

Butlerville, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Muscatatuck State Development Center

PO Box 77

Butlerville, IN 47223

Charlestown, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Medical Center of Southern Indiana

2200 Market St. PO Box 69

Charlestown, IN 47111

812-256-7698

Chesterton, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

MCCI Pharmacy Technician Program

900 High Point

Chesterton, IN 46304

Columbus, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Columbus Regional Hospital

2400 E 17th St

Columbus, IN 47201

812-376-5239

Crown Point, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

St. Anthony Medical Center

1201 S. Main St.

Crown Point, IN 46307

219-757-6290

Dale, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Dale Pharmacy

560 S Washington St

Dale, IN 47523

812-937-2071

Deerfield, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Walgreen Corp./Techbuilder

200 Wilmot Road, MS 2194

Deerfield, IL 60015

847-914-2309

Dyer, IN Pharmacy Technician programs:

Walt’s Pharmacy

1218 Sheffield Ave

Dyer, IN 46311

219-865-4363

Indiana Pharmacy Technician Requirements

The Pharmacy Technician Program

State-Approved Pharmacy Technician Training Programs in Indiana

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