South Dakota Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

If you are considering starting your career working as a pharmacy technician in South Dakota, you need to be sure to fulfill certain requirements. Many are determined at the Federal level which the state of South Dakota implements in addition to any other requirements. By following these requirements, a rewarding entry-level career in the healthcare industry is within reach.

South Dakota Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

The South Dakota Department of Health's Board of Pharmacy has the following expectations for pharmacy technician registrants at the time of application if they wish to work in the state:

• The applicant must have a High School Diploma or GED to apply. Evidence proving these qualifications are required
• You can only apply for registration when already working as a pharmacy technician
• You must apply for registration within 30 days of commencement of employment
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• You are required to have passed a nationally recognized certification. SD recognizes PTCB and ICPT
• Those who do not fulfill the last point may register as a Technician in Training
• There are no formal criminal records check for South Dakota. Applicants are required to self-declare convictions with supporting court documents
• Registration cost is $25. Renewals cost is $40. Licenses expire annually on October 31 regardless of when you initially applied

Special note 1: There is no reciprocity for South Dakota. You must fulfill all criteria and apply as a new registrant.

Special note 2: The South Dakota Department of Health processes your application once you have submitted all relevant information and sent the payment.

Special note 3: Interns are exempt from most steps above. The employing pharmacy must fill out the required information.

South Dakota Pharmacy Technician Careers & Employment Outlook

In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released their most recent report. It found that there are 1,250 pharmacy technicians working in the state of South Dakota. Average pay data was announced as $16.32 per hour median average, $16.53 per hour as a mean average, and $34,380 as an average annual salary.

Nationally, 51% of pharmacy technicians work in dedicated pharmacies and drug stores. 17% work in clinical facilities for pharmacy staff, employed for teams responsible for patient prescriptions. A further 9% work in concessionary areas of non-clinical retail outlets. This includes supermarkets, food stores, and other related retail facilities in areas where pharmacies may not otherwise be accessible.

Pharmacies operate most hours; those in big cities are typically open 24/7. Therefore, pharmacy technicians can expect, depending on where they work, weekends, evenings, and night shifts. When working in concessionary areas of retail outlets, hours may be more limited.

There is a projected 4% job growth between 2019 and 2029. The BLS predicts this is the average of all jobs in the country, meaning pharmacy technician work is stable with no major projected job disruption.

South Dakota Schools That Offer Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Rapid City, SD

Sioux Falls, SD