Rhode Island Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Considering working as a pharmacy technician in the small state of Rhode Island? If so, you need to adhere to certain criteria and carry out certain steps for authorization with the Rhode Island Department of Health. In this guide, we cut through the red tape to show you precisely what you need to do to become a certified pharmacy tech, making your application and search quick and easy.

Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The Rhode Island Department of Health requires the following for pharmacy technicians operating in the state:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years or over and provide proof. A driver's license is the preferred method
• You must have either a High School Diploma or a GED and provide proof along with your application
• Rhode Island has two types of Pharmacy Technician licenses: Level I and Level II
• Holders of Pharmacy Technician I may work as a technician without passing a national exam. The operating pharmacist at the place of work must provide an affidavit
• For Level II eligibility, you must pass either the PTCB or ExCPT and include copies as proof
• No criminal record check is required, but you must self-declare any convictions and provide proof of court documents
• The cost of registration for either Level I or Level II is $25
• Renewals also cost $25. All licenses expire on June 30 annually. The Department of Health sends new application details one month before expiration

Special note 1: Rhode Island permits transfers from other states. They can apply by a process known as endorsement so long as the license is current, and there are no additional requirements in Rhode Island.

Special note 2: The Rhode Island Department of Health only processes an application once all information and payments are received.

Special note 3: Interns must apply for Pharmacy Technician I.

Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

A 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report listed Rhode Island as employing 1,840 pharmacy technicians (both levels). Pay rates were calculated at $17.94 median average per hour, $18.21 mean average per hour, and $37,880 average annual salary.

Employment opportunities and locations are varied. The major employer is drug stores and pharmacies with 51% of this employee base. A further 17% work as pharmacy assistants in departments in clinical and medical settings such as hospitals. 9% of pharm techs work in non-clinical retail outlets, such as health food stores and supermarkets. These operate as concessions.

Pharmacy hours can be demanding, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Pharmacy technicians will not work typical office hours and can be asked to work unsociable patterns. When working at concessions in supermarket retailers discussed above, the primary outlet will determine the pharmacy's operating hours.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% job demand growth for pharmacy technicians between 2019 and 2029. This is comparable to the current average of all jobs.

Rhode Island Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Warwick, RI