Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee

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

Median annual salary
$38,130
trending_down -12.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Tennessee.

engineering
12,350

Jobs (TN)

monitoring Strong
+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments
$224

Licensing fees

schedule
Approximately 8 weeks for registration confirmation; 2-4 weeks for background check completion.

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee

To become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee, you must register with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. While there is no state-mandated exam or education prerequisite, a fingerprint-based criminal background check is required. National certification, such as the PTCB's Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), is optional but allows for expanded duties and waives pharmacist-to-technician ratio limits. The application fee is $95, and registration must be renewed every two years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $32,200
25th percentile $36,210
50th (median) $38,130
75th percentile $45,380
90th (experienced) $49,410

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

checklist Tennessee requirements

Licensing bodyTennessee Board of Pharmacy
State license Required
EducationNot explicitly required by the state, but employers may require a high school diploma or GED.
ExamNational certification (e.g., PTCB's PTCE) is optional for state registration but offers expanded duties. ($129)
Application fee$95
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesNo minimum age requirement for state registration. Requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check (fee $37.15 as of 2026). National certification is not required for state registration, but certified technicians can perform additional duties and are exempt from pharmacist-to-technician supervision ratio limits. The application process is primarily online through the Tennessee Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS).

Source: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy

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_circleTennessee 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 Tennessee? expand_more
Tennessee requires pharmacy technicians to complete the required education (Not explicitly required by the state, but employers may require a high school diploma or GED.), pass the National certification (e.g., PTCB's PTCE) is optional for state registration but offers expanded duties., and submit your application ($95 fee).
Is a pharmacy technician license required in Tennessee? expand_more
A state license is required in Tennessee. Tennessee Board of Pharmacy handles pharmacy technician licensing — the National certification (e.g., PTCB's PTCE) is optional for state registration but offers expanded duties. is part of the process.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Tennessee? expand_more
Tennessee pharmacy technicians bring home a median salary of $38,130. This trails the $43,460 national median by 12%. Wages range from $32,200 (10th percentile) up to $49,410 (90th percentile).
What's the total cost to get pharmacy technician certified in Tennessee? expand_more
Between exam fee ($129) and application fee ($95), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee? expand_more
In Tennessee, becoming a pharmacy technician generally takes Approximately 8 weeks for registration confirmation; 2-4 weeks for background check completion., accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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