Looking for trustworthy South Dakota pharmacy technician license information? Following are some important facts you need to know about the requirements for pharmacy technicians in South Dakota.
Fact-checked against the state board, September 2026
Does South Dakota regulate pharmacy technicians?
Yes.
Is certification required to practice in South Dakota?
No.
What certification exam(s) is/are approved by the state?
South Dakota does not require an exam for registration. Technicians who choose to certify must pass a national pharmacy technician certification exam accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), such as PTCB’s PTCE or NHA’s ExCPT. Current national certification can also be used to meet the state’s renewal requirement instead of continuing education.
When is registration required?
You must apply for registration within 30 days of beginning employment. If you are in a technician-training program, you must register before beginning on-site practical experience.
Is licensure required?
South Dakota issues a pharmacy technician registration rather than a license. Registration is mandatory: anyone employed as a pharmacy technician in the state must obtain and maintain a current registration with the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy. Certification is optional.
What do I have to do to become licensed by the state of South Dakota?
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Be employed by a South Dakota pharmacy (full- or part-time), or be enrolled in a high school pharmacy technician job exploration program.
- Submit an initial registration application to the Board within 30 days of accepting employment. Students in a college- or vocational-based technician program must register before starting any on-site practical experience.
- Apply online through the Board of Pharmacy licensing portal (linked from the Board’s Pharmacy Technicians page).
- Pay the non-refundable $25 initial registration fee.
Is training required for pharmacy technicians in South Dakota?
Yes. The pharmacist-in-charge must ensure every registered technician receives adequate training for the tasks performed at that pharmacy. Each pharmacy must have written training and utilization policies, review them on a schedule it sets, and document each technician’s training for as long as the technician is employed.
Are there Continuing Education (CE) requirements for pharmacy technicians in South Dakota?
Yes. To renew, a pharmacy technician must show either (a) 6 hours of continuing education completed within the previous 24 months that were not used for a prior renewal, or (b) current national certification from an NCCA-accredited pharmacy technician certification program.
How often is renewal required?
Annually. All South Dakota pharmacy technician registrations expire on October 31 each year. Renewal is completed online and requires the $25 non-refundable renewal fee plus proof of 6 CE hours in the past 24 months or current national certification. A technician who keeps working without a current registration may face disciplinary action.
What should I do if I change jobs or change my home address?
Report any change in your name, address, or pharmacy employment to the Board within 10 days. Use the Change of Name or Employer form on the Board’s Pharmacy Technicians page.
Other good info to know about South Dakota’s pharmacy technician requirements
- Technicians must wear a visible badge while on duty that identifies them as a pharmacy technician and shows their first name.
- A technician may only perform delegated technical functions that do not require a pharmacist’s professional judgment, and the supervising pharmacist remains responsible.
- Up to three registered technicians may be on duty per pharmacist (pharmacy interns don’t count). In hospital, mail-order, and long-term care pharmacies, the pharmacist-in-charge sets the ratio, provided required safety technology and quality-assurance programs are in place.
Essential Contact Info for South Dakota Pharmacy Technicians
South Dakota Board of Pharmacy (South Dakota Department of Health) Website: doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/pharmacy/ 4001 W. Valhalla Blvd., Suite 106 Sioux Falls, SD 57106 Telephone: 605-362-2737 Fax: 605-362-2738
Professional association: South Dakota Pharmacists Association (SDPhA), sdpha.org
