Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina

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

Median annual salary

$38,960

trending_down -10.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.

engineering

7,720

Jobs (SC)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$185

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (initial registration is quicker, state certification requires 1000 hours of experience)

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in South Carolina

To become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina, you must register with the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy, which requires an application and a $56 fee. No exam is required for this initial registration. To become a State-Certified Pharmacy Technician, an upgrade from the registered status, you must hold a high school diploma or GED, complete an ASHP-accredited or PTCB-recognized training program, pass a national certification exam (PTCB or NHA ExCPT), and complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice. Renewal for both registered and state-certified technicians is annual, requiring 10 hours of continuing education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,360

25th percentile $36,360

50th (median) $38,960

75th percentile $46,800

90th (experienced) $49,800

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

checklist South Carolina requirements

Licensing body	South Carolina Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED. For State Certification, completion of an ASHP-accredited or PTCB-recognized training program is required.
Experience	1,000.0 hours
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT for State Certification. No exam for initial registration. ($129)
Application fee	$56
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	South Carolina has two levels: Registered Pharmacy Technician and State-Certified Pharmacy Technician. National certification (PTCB or NHA ExCPT) is required for State Certification, but not for initial registration. Minimum age is not specified for registration, but some sources indicate 18. A criminal background check and fingerprints are required. CE for State-Certified techs must include 4 hours live and 1 hour in pharmacy law. Renewal is annual by June 30th.

Source: South Carolina Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium South Carolina license tiers

South Carolina offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Registered Pharmacy Technician	N/A
State-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_circleSouth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a pharmacy technician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a pharmacy technician in South Carolina? expand_more

To become a pharmacy technician in South Carolina, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. For State Certification, completion of an ASHP-accredited or PTCB-recognized training program is required.), gain 1,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT for State Certification. No exam for initial registration., and submit your application ($56 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a pharmacy technician in South Carolina? expand_more

Yes, South Carolina requires a state license to practice as a pharmacy technician. The licensing body is South Carolina Board of Pharmacy. You must pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT for State Certification. No exam for initial registration..

How much does a pharmacy technician make in South Carolina? expand_more

The median pharmacy technician salary in South Carolina is $38,960 per year. That's 10% below the national median of $43,460. Wages range from $34,360 (10th percentile) up to $49,800 (90th percentile).

How expensive is pharmacy technician licensing in South Carolina? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($129) and application fee ($56) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in South Carolina? expand_more

In South Carolina, becoming a pharmacy technician generally takes Varies (initial registration is quicker, state certification requires 1000 hours of experience), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a pharmacy technician license in South Carolina? expand_more

To keep your license active, South Carolina mandates 10.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.