Indiana Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Are you looking into becoming a pharmacy technician in the state of Indiana? Like other states, Indiana sets its own regulations and requirements on who can practice as a pharmacy tech. It sets out specific licensing/certification procedures to which you must adhere before you may work in a pharmacy. In this guide, we explain licensing requirements for practice in Indiana.

Indiana Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Pharmacy technician licenses in Indiana are granted on the following conditions, according to the Indiana Board of Pharmacy:

• Applicant is at least 18 years old; if the applicant is under 18, the qualified pharmacist at your intended place of work must submit a supporting statement
• Submission of high school diploma (copy), GED, or respective transcripts demonstrating that the applicant graduated
• The applicant has completed a program of study and the relevant qualifying exam: PTCB, or ExCPT. However, you may still apply prior to passing this exam if you apply as “technician in training”
• Submit personal details to a criminal background check to confirm that the applicant is not a convicted felon who committed a crime that would ban them from working with controlled substances
• A $25 application fee is required and payable at the time of application. You may pay by check, credit, or debit card
• Those who previously held a technician-in-training permit and allowed it to expire must reapply; permits are NOT renewable
• Expired licenses are subject to a simple renewal request unless it expired more than 3 years ago
• If the previous license expired more than three years ago, you will be required to attend a hearing

Special note 1: the criminal background check is not carried out before the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency has received both the fee and the relevant application details.

Special note 2: Transfers from other states are not permissible. You must meet all requirements for Indiana to practice as a pharmacy technician.

Indiana Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

There are approximately 9,600 pharmacy technicians in Indiana, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2019 report. State data suggests a pharmacy technician can expect to earn around $15.43 per hour (median) or $15.58 (mean average). Annual salary is approximately $32,410.

In most cases, pharmacy techs work in dedicated pharmacies and at drug stores. Around 51% of qualified pharmacy technicians presently work in this environment. 17% (that's approximately one in every six) will work in a hospital or a clinic. 9% work in supermarkets and food stores, typically where there is a pharmacy concession or stand.

Many pharmacies are open long hours for emergency prescriptions. Therefore, you can expect some overnight shift work, and a requirement to work on weekends.

BLS employment outlook suggests pharmacy technician roles will grow approximately 4% between 2019 and 2029. This is the typical rate of all jobs as calculated in the 2019 report. An aging population will require more healthcare and prescription / controlled drugs, ensuring the stability of pharmacy work.

Indiana Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Fort Wayne, IN

Hammond, IN

Indianapolis, IN

South Bend, IN

Vincennes, IN