Looking for information about getting a pharmacy technician license in Tennessee? Following are the important facts you need to know about the requirements for pharmacy techs in Tennessee.
Fact-checked against the state board, September 2026
Does Tennessee regulate pharmacy technicians?
Yes.
Is certification required to practice in Tennessee?
No, but see the advanced duties and other information specific to certified pharmacy technicians provided under “Other good info…” below.
What certification exam(s) is/are approved by the state?
None are specifically required by the state of Tennessee.
When is registration required?
Before working as a pharmacy technician. Two exceptions apply: an employee the employer classifies as probationary may perform technician tasks for up to 90 days from the date of employment before registering, and students in a formal pharmacy technician training program do not need to register while on experiential rotations (they must wear a school-issued ID badge).
Is registration required?
Yes. Tennessee requires every pharmacy technician to register with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Your registration certificate must be kept at your pharmacy practice site, and you must carry proof of registration (and certification, if you are certified) while on duty.
What do I have to do to become registered?
Incomplete applications are held as pending for up to one year.
- Create an account and apply online through the Tennessee Department of Health’s LARS licensing system (lars.tn.gov).
- Submit the Pharmacy Technician Affidavit, signed by both you and your employer, attesting that you have read and understand Tennessee’s pharmacy laws and rules. Keep a copy at your place of employment.
- Complete the Declaration of Citizenship form.
- Complete a criminal background check, paid for by you and sent directly to the Board by the vendor named in the application materials.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee ($55 plus a $10 peer-assistance fee).
Is training required?
No formal training is required to register. However, certified pharmacy technicians who want to administer vaccines or perform CLIA-waived and point-of-care tests must first complete an ACPE-approved or Board-approved practical training program. Technicians who give vaccines must also hold a current CPR certificate.
Are there Continuing Education (CE) requirements?
Registered pharmacy technicians have no general CE requirement. Certified technicians who administer vaccines must complete at least 2 hours of immunization-related CE during each renewal cycle, and certified technicians who perform point-of-care testing must complete at least 2 hours of testing-related CE per cycle.
How often is renewal required?
Every two years. Registrations must be renewed on or before the last day of the expiration month. The renewal fee is $75 plus a $10 peer-assistance fee, and renewal is done online through LARS (lars.tn.gov).
What should I do if I change jobs or change my home address?
Board rules require you to notify the Board in writing immediately of any change of address or employer. You can update your address online through the LARS licensing system (lars.tn.gov).
Other good info to know about being a pharmacy technician in Tennessee
- While working, technicians must wear identification that shows their name and title (for example, ‘pharmacy technician’ or ‘certified pharmacy technician’).
- A pharmacist must supervise and verify everything a technician does before medication is released to a patient.
- The technician-to-pharmacist ratio may not exceed 6:1, but additional technicians beyond 6:1 are allowed if they are certified. A pharmacist in charge may also ask the Board in writing to change the ratio.
- Certified pharmacy technicians may also take new or transferred oral prescription orders, transfer prescriptions between pharmacies, verify unit-dose carts or automated dispensing systems when barcode or other licensed checks are in place, and (with training) give vaccines and perform FDA home-use or CLIA-waived tests.
- Certified technicians must display evidence of certification at the practice site and carry proof of registration and certification while on duty.
Essential Contact Info to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Pharmacy Tennessee Department of Health, Health Related Boards 665 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 253-1299 Fax: (615) 741-2722 Email: [email protected] Website: tn.gov/health/licensure/pharm.html Online licensing (LARS): lars.tn.gov
Professional association: Tennessee Pharmacists Association, tnpharm.org
