Michigan State Requirements

Michigan licenses rather than registers pharmacy technicians. You must receive a pharmacy technician license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) before working as a pharmacy technician. Note that submitting an application does not authorize you to begin work. Michigan offers a full Pharmacy Technician license and a non-renewable Temporary Pharmacy Technician license. Students completing practical training through an approved pharmacy technician program may qualify for a limited exemption from licensure.

A temporary license allows an applicant to work while preparing for an approved pharmacy technician proficiency examination. It is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. You must satisfy all remaining licensing requirements before the temporary license can be issued.

Note that a student enrolled in a Michigan-approved pharmacy technician program does not need a technician license while completing the program’s practical training. This program must be completed within two years for the exemption to continue. Students younger than 18 may participate in this practical training.

There is no minimum age requirement for pharmacy technician licensure. However, employers and training programs may set their own requirements.

Applicants for a full or temporary pharmacy technician license must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Michigan does not require every applicant to complete the same state-approved training program. Applicants may qualify by passing the PTCB examination, the NHA ExCPT examination, or an exam administered through a Michigan-approved employer-based training program.

National certification is one route to full licensure, but not the only route. An applicant may use a passing PTCB or NHA examination result or complete an approved employer-based program and examination. Note that maintaining national certification is not required to renew a Michigan pharmacy technician license.

You must complete a state and federal fingerprint-based criminal-background check. Fingerprinting instructions are provided in the application confirmation email after the online application is submitted. Fingerprinting charges are paid separately to the approved vendor and may vary by provider.

Before receiving a license, you must complete Michigan’s one-time training on identifying victims of human trafficking. Initial applicants must also complete at least two hours of implicit-bias training within the five years preceding licensure.

Applications are submitted through the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS).

The current fee for a full pharmacy technician license by examination or endorsement is $137.70. Note that this fee includes your application and initial two-year license. The temporary pharmacy technician license fee is $15.30.

It takes approximately four to six weeks for your application to be processed. You may not work as a pharmacy technician until the license has been issued (unless you qualify for the approved-program student exemption).

A full pharmacy technician license is renewed every two years through MiPLUS. The current biennial renewal fee is $61.20.

Michigan provides a 60-day renewal grace period. A renewal submitted during this period is subject to a $20 late fee. If the license is not renewed by the end of the grace period, it lapses from its original expiration date, and you cannot continue working under that license.

A technician whose license has lapsed beyond the renewal period must apply for re-licensure and satisfy the applicable requirements. The current re-licensure fee is $157.70.

Under Michigan Public Act 97 of 2023, a pharmacist may delegate administration of a qualified immunizing agent to a pharmacy technician who is qualified through education, training, or experience. This authority generally applies to eligible vaccines administered to individuals aged three or older and remains subject to pharmacist direction and the applicable legal requirements.

A fully or limited-licensed pharmacy technician may perform technology-assisted final product verification after completing an approved training program or at least 1,000 hours of relevant experience in the same pharmacy setting. However, this authority does not cover sterile or non-sterile compounded preparations.