Pharmacy Technician License

Licensing Information

  • The California State Board of Pharmacy has established procedures for the licensing of pharmacy technicians. To work as a pharmacy technician in the state of California, you must have a current pharmacy technician license. ​​​

  • ​California does NOT have an examination process for pharmacy technicians.  In order to obtain a pharmacy technician license, students must meet the qualification requirements of the California State Board of Pharmacy. 

  • Licensing is not required for persons working as pharmacy clerks or pharmacy assistants.

You can apply for a pharmacy technician license with the California State Board of Pharmacy if:

  • You are at least 18 years of age, and

  • You have a high school diploma or GED, and

  • You have an official high school or college transcript and

  • You have a valid Social Security number, and

  • You have completed a Self-Query Report with the National Practitioner Data Bank Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank (NPDB-HIPDB) dated no earlier than 60 days of the date of application and

  • You pass a criminal background check (done with Live Scan fingerprints), and

  • You meet at least one of the following criteria :

    • Have completed a course of training specified by the California Board of Pharmacy in section 1793.6 of State Board of Pharmacy Rules and Regulations.​​ 

    • ​​​T​his requirement can be fulfilled by successfully completing any of the three training options offered at Santa Ana College.

      • SAC Basic (Entry Level) Certificate Option 

      • SAC Advanced Certificate Option

      • SAC Associates Degree Option