Looking for Minnesota pharmacy technician license information? Following are the important facts you need to know about the requirements for pharmacy technicians in Minnesota.
Fact-checked against the state board, September 2026
Does Minnesota regulate pharmacy technicians?
Yes.
Is certification required to practice in Minnesota?
No.
What certification exam(s) is/are approved by the state?
Minnesota does not require certification. The Board does recognize the PTCB’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the National Healthcareer Association’s ExCPT. Since August 1, 2023, holding either certification satisfies Minnesota’s technician training requirement.
When is registration required?
Before beginning employment.
Is licensure required?
Minnesota requires registration rather than a license. You must hold an active pharmacy technician registration from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy before you perform any technician duties, and you must renew it every year.
What do I have to do to become licensed?
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Provide proof of high school graduation: a diploma, a transcript with graduation date, a GED certificate, or a college transcript or diploma.
- Apply for registration online through the Board’s Online Services portal (preferred) or by mailing a paper application.
- Pay the non-refundable $60 registration fee. Credit card processing fees for online payments are your responsibility.
Out-of-state registrations cannot be transferred, so technicians moving to Minnesota must apply as new registrants.
Is training required for a Minnesota pharmacy technician?
Yes. You must complete a Board-approved training program within 12 months of the date you are first registered (not the date you were hired). Approved options are:
- PTCB or NHA ExCPT certification.
- An accredited vocational/technical school or college program that includes an externship.
- An ASHP-accredited program.
- Training from a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or Public Health Service.
- An employer-based program with at least 240 hours of combined theoretical and practical instruction within one year.
Prior work experience, CE, and on-the-job training alone do not count.
Are there Continuing Education (CE) requirements?
Pharmacy technicians will need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of approved technician continuing education (CE) every two years. Click here for more information. Report your completed CEs by July 31 of each odd-numbered year.
How often is renewal required?
Every year. Your registration expires on December 31 and must be renewed by December 1. Online renewal opens October 1. The renewal fee is $60, and late renewals owe an extra 50% late fee. You cannot renew if you have not reported your CE or completed the technician training requirement.
What should I do if I change jobs or change my home address?
Report the change to the Board within 10 days.
Other good info to know about Minnesota pharmacy technician requirements
- A technician must wear a name badge that clearly identifies them as a “Pharmacy Technician” while on duty.
- A technician may perform only tasks that do not require a pharmacist’s professional judgment, under the personal and direct supervision of a pharmacist.
- The supervising pharmacist is responsible for all work performed by the technicians they supervise.
- A pharmacist may supervise up to three technicians. A pharmacy may add one more technician at a time if at least one technician on duty holds PTCB or equivalent national certification. The pharmacist-in-charge may petition the Board for a higher ratio.
- You must report any change in your name, residence or place of employment to the Board within 10 days.
Vital Info for Minnesota Pharmacy Technicians
Minnesota Board of Pharmacy
https://mn.gov/boards/pharmacy/
Office: 335 Randolph Avenue, Suite 230
St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 201-2825
Fax number: 651-215-0951
Email: [email protected]
Professional Association for Minnesota Pharmacy Technicians
Minnesota Pharmacists Association (MPhA)
www.mpha.org
Minnesota Q & A
Questions I need to know for a project from Minnesota
- Duration of a prescription, this is the time of state law allows to dispense a prescription from the date that the doctor prescribes it.
- Time of validity of prescriptions controlled narcotics and controlled non-narcotics.
- Does the state permit the prescriptions by telephone?
- Time required by law to archive prescriptions.
- If there is the requirement to include the number of the lot and expiration date in every one of the prescriptions?
- Number of hours of practice required to practice as a pharmacist and a pharmacist assistant?
- Amount of continuing education required to renew licenses and how often?
- Specific subjects of continuing education?
- The existence of a local agency of controlled substances and if it is a requirement of law, belong to a professional association.
Response from PharmacyTechPros: Thanks for contacting us with your project! The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy can answer all of these questions for you – their contact information is included above.