New Mexico

Pharmacy technicians are regulated in New Mexico.

Certification is required to practice as a pharmacy technician in New Mexico.

The New Mexico State Board of Pharmacy have approved both the PTCB exam and the ExCPT for candidates to take, if they wish. Candidates who are not nationally certified must complete State-approved training and complete 220 hours hours of technician-related work. They must also complete the PTCB test or ExCPT within 1-year.

Before commencing employment, candidates must first register with the State Board of Pharmacy.

Competition for pharmacy technician roles within New Mexico is currently high.

New Mexico State Requirements

To register as a pharmacy technician in New Mexico, the State Board has issued their own requirements for candidates to meet. These include:

• Candidates must be 18-years or older.
• Candidates must have earned a high school diploma or GED and must be proficient in the English language.
• Candidates are expected to undergo a criminal background check, including having fingerprints taken. Candidates must not have had a history of drug-related crimes.
• Candidates are required to pass either the PTCB or the ExCPT exam.
• Candidates must apply to the New Mexico State Board of Pharmacy and pay the non-refundable $30.00 fee. Include a passport photo with your application; and application must be notarized.
• Candidates typically complete training under the supervision of a qualified, licensed pharmacist.
• Continuing education is not required by the State Board of Pharmacy, but is required to maintain national certification (see below)
• Licenses are renewed biennially. The renewal fee is $30.00.

Requirements for PTCB Continuous Education

To maintain the pharmacy tech license in New Mexico, candidates must complete CE – or continuous education.

PTCB requires:

• Candidates must have completed at least 20-hours of CE in a 2-year cycle.
• Candidates must have completed at least 1-hour of this training in pharmacy law and regulations, and an additional hour in patient safety.
• PTCB requires that CE must be related to the professional work and practice of a pharmacy technician.
• Candidates must pay the requisite fee of $40.00, which must be paid every 2-years.