How to Become a New Jersey Pharmacy Technician

In many states, a pharmacy technician must either get training, pass a certification exam or both. This is not the case in New Jersey. This state does require registration of New Jersey pharmacy technicians, basically for administrative purposes and to run a background check for the safety of the public. When seeking work as a pharmacy tech in New Jersey, individuals should follow the registration procedures to avoid potential trouble with the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy.

Step 1:

Attain the age of at least 18 years of age. This means that those who drop out of school early and quickly get a GED might still not be eligible to work as a New Jersey pharmacy technician.

Step 2:

Graduate from high school or a GED program. However, there is a grandfather clause for those who were employed as a pharmacy technician on September 4, 2007. Those who were employed before that date need not get a high school diploma or GED.

Step 3:

You must be proficient in spoken or written English.

Step 4:

You must submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check to work as a New Jersey pharmacy technician. This is the only requirement that some people will not be able to meet. It is impossible to say whether an applicant with a criminal record will pass the background check because such matters are decided on an individual basis.

You will receive instructions on submitting fingerprints and more details on the criminal background check after you submit your New Jersey pharmacy technician registration application.

Step 5:

Access and fill out the registration form. You can access this on the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy website by using the link in the Resources section at the end of this article.

Step 6:

Prepare an application and registration fee. The $50 application fee is nonrefundable. There is also a registration fee. As of June 2010, this fee is $70. Make a check or money order out to “State of New Jersey.

Step 7:

Send in the form and fees to the following address:

Board of Pharmacy
124 Halsey St.
6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102

Note: You need to attach a 2 x 2 photo and include a copy of your birth certificate and court order if your current legal name is different than the name on your birth certificate.

Notes:

Although there is no training requirement for New Jersey pharmacy techs, you might wish to get some training for employability purposes. Another option is to get certified. You can check out training programs through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (see link below).

You can also check out pharmacy technician certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (see links below).

Sources:

New Jersey Pharmacy Technician Application Form and Instructions

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Accredited Pharmacy Tech Programs

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board

Institute for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians