Pharmacy Technician in Arizona

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AZ. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$47,620
trending_up +9.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arizona.

engineering
11,260

Jobs (AZ)

monitoring Strong
+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments
$211

Licensing fees

schedule
Varies (trainee license valid for up to 36 months)

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Arizona

To become a Pharmacy Technician in Arizona, individuals must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and complete a Board-prescribed training program. A full license requires passing a board-approved exam (PTCB or ExCPT) and obtaining a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card. The application fee for a Pharmacy Technician license is $82, and the license must be renewed every two years with 20 continuing education hours.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,650
25th percentile $39,870
50th (median) $47,620
75th percentile $50,100
90th (experienced) $60,350

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arizona. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arizona requirements

Licensing bodyArizona State Board of Pharmacy
State license Required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED and completion of a Board-prescribed training program. National certification (PTCB or ExCPT) is required for a full Pharmacy Technician license. Applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide an academic equivalency evaluation.
ExamPTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee$82
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education20.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age 18. Requires a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card. Trainee license available for individuals who have not yet passed a board-approved exam; trainee application fee is $25 and is valid for 36 months, non-renewable. Arizona does not require CE for state license renewal, but 20 hours of CE are required for PTCB certification renewal, including 1 hour in Pharmacy Law and 1 hour in Patient Safety. Some sources indicate additional specific CE requirements for the state license (e.g., opioid/substance abuse, immunizations, patient safety, telepharmacy), but the official Board application only mentions 20 hours for renewal.

Source: Arizona State Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium Arizona license tiers

Arizona offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier Hours required
Pharmacy Technician Trainee N/A
Certified Pharmacy Technician N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+6.4%
Faster than average
Annual openings
49,000
Nationwide per year
Total employment
490,400
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.01/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • check_circleArizona license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Arizona? expand_more
In Arizona, becoming a pharmacy technician requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED and completion of a Board-prescribed training program. National certification (PTCB or ExCPT) is required for a full Pharmacy Technician license. Applicants with foreign academic credentials must provide an academic equivalency evaluation.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($82 fee).
Is a pharmacy technician license required in Arizona? expand_more
You cannot practice as a pharmacy technician in Arizona without a state license from Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The required exam is the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).
What is the average pharmacy technician salary in Arizona? expand_more
pharmacy technicians in Arizona earn a median of $47,620 annually. This exceeds the $43,460 national median by 10%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,650, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $60,350.
How expensive is pharmacy technician licensing in Arizona? expand_more
Between exam fee ($129) and application fee ($82), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How quickly can I become a pharmacy technician in Arizona? expand_more
The typical timeline in Arizona is Varies (trainee license valid for up to 36 months). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.
Does Arizona require continuing education for pharmacy technicians? expand_more
To keep your license active, Arizona mandates 20.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.

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