Minnesota State Requirements

You must receive a pharmacy technician registration from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy before performing pharmacy technician duties. Submitting an application does not allow you to begin working as a technician. Minnesota has one state registration tier; national certification is a separate credential rather than another registration level.

You must be at least 18 years old when applying for pharmacy technician registration.

You must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. You must submit proof with your application, such as a diploma, transcript showing graduation, GED certificate, college transcript, or college diploma.

You may obtain registration before completing the required technician training, allowing you to work while completing it. You must finish a Minnesota-approved training pathway within 12 months of the date your registration is issued. Previous technician work experience alone does not replace this requirement.

The training requirement can be satisfied through PTCB or NHA ExCPT certification; an approved vocational, technical, or college program that includes an externship; an ASHP-accredited program; qualifying military or Public Health Service training; or an employer-based program containing at least 240 hours of theoretical and practical instruction within one year. Note that on-the-job instruction by itself does not satisfy the requirement.

National certification is not required to obtain or renew a Minnesota pharmacy technician registration. However, active PTCB or NHA ExCPT certification satisfies the state’s one-time technician training requirement. Employers may independently require certification.

Minnesota’s current pharmacy technician registration instructions do not list fingerprinting or a separate state and federal criminal-background check as standard application requirements.

You can apply online or submit a paper application. Online applications are completed through the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy’s Online Services for Licensing and Registration system. You must create a new-user account and upload proof of education.

The initial pharmacy technician registration fee is $60.

Pharmacy technician registrations are renewed annually. Renewals open on October 1, are due by December 1, and registrations expire on December 31.

The annual renewal fee is $60. A late application incurs an additional fee equal to 50% of the renewal fee, currently $30.

You cannot perform pharmacy technician duties under an expired or nonrenewed registration. Note that a lapsed registration may be reinstated with approval and payment of the applicable renewal and late fees, up to a statutory maximum of $250.

Under Minnesota Statutes § 151.01, subdivision 27.6, a pharmacist may delegate vaccine administration to a registered pharmacy technician who has completed approved immunization training. You must hold current CPR certification and work with a pharmacist who is physically present and immediately available.

Qualified pharmacy technicians acting under pharmacist delegation may administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals aged 3 or older. Other FDA-approved vaccines may generally be administered to eligible patients aged 6 or older in accordance with applicable immunization recommendations.