Indiana has two types of license for individuals working as pharmacy technicians – regular pharmacy techs and pharmacy technicians-in-training. A trainee need not have completed a course or gotten national certification by passing a pharmacy technician certification exam. But this permit is good for only one year. During that time, an applicant needs to take a training course approved by the Indiana Board of Pharmacy or get certified by one of two national certifying organizations for pharmacy technicians.
Step 1:
To start training for a career as an Indiana pharmacy technician, an applicant may submit an application and fee to the Indiana Board of Pharmacy. No training or certification is required at this stage. You will receive a permit to start training if your application is approved by the board. Note, however, that you must be at least 18, have a high school or GED diploma and not have been convicted of a crime that could directly impact your ability to safely prepare drugs.
The application form can be found through the link in the Resources below. Send the form, documentation and a $25 fee to the Indiana Board of Pharmacy. This same application form is used for both trainee and regular Indiana pharmacy techs.
Use the following mailing address to submit your application packet:
Indiana Board of Pharmacy
Professional Licensing Agency
402 W. Washington St.
Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
If you have any questions about the process, then call the Indiana pharmacy board at 317-234-2067.
Step 2:
Once you have your training, it is time to prove that you no longer need your training wheels. You have two options to become an Indiana pharmacy technician. You can either complete an approved course in Indiana or take and pass a national certification exam.
Hundreds of courses are approved by the pharmacy board. You can access a link to the list of approved courses in the Resources section. Contact these schools on an individual basis to determine which one, if any, that you would like to attend.
In fact, you are not required to attend training at all. Alternatively, you may take a national certification exam to get fully licensed as an Indiana pharmacy technician. Two nationally recognized organizations have certification tests – the Institute for Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT exam) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. You can get website links below to find out more about both of these exams. As of 2010, the PTCB certification goes for $129, while the ExCPT exam is $105.
So long as your trainee permit period is still in effect, you need not present another application and fee. Just send in your proof of training or certification. Otherwise, you will have to submit a new application and fee to get licensed as an Indiana pharmacy technician.
Sources:
Indiana Application for a Pharmacy Tech or Trainee
Indiana Pharmacy Tech Training Courses
PTCB Home Page
ExCPT Exam Home Page
