Pharmacy Technician in District of Columbia

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

Median annual salary

$45,670

trending_up +5.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.

engineering

950

Jobs (DC)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$179

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in District of Columbia

To become a licensed Pharmacy Technician in the District of Columbia, applicants must register with the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include having a high school diploma or GED, completing a board-approved training program or obtaining national certification (PTCB or ExCPT), and passing a criminal background check. The minimum age requirement is 17 years old, and reciprocity is available for technicians licensed in other states.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,220

25th percentile $44,720

50th (median) $45,670

75th percentile $56,680

90th (experienced) $71,890

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

checklist District of Columbia requirements

Licensing body	District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, and completion of a board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) OR enrollment in an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school.
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires a criminal background check and fingerprints. Minimum age of 17. CE must include 2 hours of pharmacy law, 2 hours of medication safety, and 2 hours of cultural competency (LGBTQ). Also, 2 hours on public health priorities designated by the Director of DOH.

Source: District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium District of Columbia license tiers

District of Columbia offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Pharmacy Technician Trainee	N/A
Registered 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_circleDistrict of Columbia 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?

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a pharmacy technician in District of Columbia? expand_more

District of Columbia requires pharmacy technicians to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, and completion of a board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) OR enrollment in an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a pharmacy technician license required in District of Columbia? expand_more

Yes, District of Columbia requires a state license to practice as a pharmacy technician. The licensing body is District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy. You must pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).

How much does a pharmacy technician make in District of Columbia? expand_more

The median pharmacy technician salary in District of Columbia is $45,670 per year. This exceeds the $43,460 national median by 5%. The range spans from $39,220 at the entry level to $71,890 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a pharmacy technician in District of Columbia? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($129) and application fee ($50) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in District of Columbia? expand_more

In District of Columbia, becoming a pharmacy technician generally takes 6-12 months, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a pharmacy technician license in District of Columbia? expand_more

District of Columbia requires 20.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your pharmacy technician license.