Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Louisiana.
Jobs (LA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a pharmacy technician in Louisiana
To become a certified Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana, individuals must first register as a Pharmacy Technician Candidate with the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. Candidates must be at least 18 years old (or 16 if enrolled in a Louisiana Department of Education Jump Start program) and possess a high school diploma or GED. They must then complete either a board-approved training program or 600 hours of practical experience under a licensed pharmacist, pass a national certification exam (PTCB or NHA), and undergo a criminal background check. Finally, candidates can apply for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate, which requires an application fee of $100 and must be renewed annually.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Louisiana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Louisiana requirements
| Licensing body | Louisiana Board of Pharmacy |
| State license | Required |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. Completion of a nationally accredited and Board-approved training program OR 600 hours of practical experience under a licensed pharmacist. National certification (PTCB or NHA) is required for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate. |
| Experience | 600.0 hours |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application fee | $100 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing education | 10.0 hours per cycle |
| Reciprocity | Louisiana may accept prior experience, but applicants must still meet exam proof requirements.Reciprocal states: Louisiana may accept Form 33 as evidence of education, training, or experience if you have held an active pharmacy technician credential in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least one year. You must still follow LABP's certificate application checklist, including exam proof requirements. |
| Notes | Minimum age 18 for most pathways (16 for Louisiana Department of Education Jump Start program). Requires a criminal background check. There is a two-tiered process: Pharmacy Technician Candidate registration ($50 application fee) to train, and then the Pharmacy Technician Certificate ($100 application fee) after meeting all requirements. Renewal fee is $60 annually. |
Source: Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Louisiana? See whether Louisiana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Pharmacy Technician license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium Louisiana license tiers
Louisiana offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician Candidate | N/A |
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleLouisiana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
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