New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with various tasks including the
preparation and distribution of medications. Technicians work under the direct
supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is legally responsible for the care and
safety of patients served by the pharmacy.
A Certified Pharmacy Technician is a technician who has completed all of the
necessary training and successfully passed a board approved certification exam.
Certified Pharmacy Technicians may use the designation "CPhT" after their name.
They must maintain current registration with the Board of Pharmacy.
A Non-certified Pharmacy Technician is a technician who is in the process of
completing the necessary training and/or examinations required for certification.
They must maintain current registration with the Board of Pharmacy.
Is a background check a requirement for registration?
The Board of Pharmacy May conduct a background check on any new applicant.
However, on the application a signature is required after the following statement:
“I have not been arrested, investigated for, charged with, convicted of, sentenced,
entered a plea of nolo contendere, or entered into any other legal agreements for
any criminal offense in any state, territory or possession on the United States or by
the federal government. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the
information contained on this application is true and correct.”
Does a problem in my past prevent me from becoming registered as a
pharmacy technician with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy?
Not necessarily. Applications with background issues, must be presented to the
Board of Pharmacy for approval. The circumstances surrounding the issue will be
addressed and taken into consideration.
Can I work at a pharmacy before I am registered with the Board of
Pharmacy?
Yes, but NOT as a Technician. Clerical duties are permitted under the supervision
of a pharmacist including duties associated with the practice of pharmacy, but
excluding the direct processing and filling of prescriptions or duties restricted to
only a pharmacist, pharmacist intern, or pharmacy technician. Technicians are
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
required to submit their registration application and necessary documentation to
the Board of Pharmacy before performing any technician duties.
How do I register as a Non-Certified Technician with the Board of Pharmacy?
Technicians still completing training and education must submit the following
document to register with the Board of Pharmacy:
1. Registration application and required fees
2. The name of the Pharmacist or training sponsor responsible for technician’s
ongoing training and education.
3. The non-certified technician must successfully complete the necessary training
and examination (PTCB or ExCPT) to become certified within one year.
What happens if I do not pass the certification exam within the first year that
I am registered?
All technicians are required to obtain Board-approved certification within one year
of registration as a non-certified technician. If the technician fails to pass PTCB or
ExCPT certification exam within the first year, they may not continue to be
employed as a pharmacy technician.
How do I register as a Certified Technician with the Board of Pharmacy?
Technicians who have completed the necessary training must submit the following
document to register with the Board of Pharmacy:
1. Registration application and required fees.
2. A written record of the technicians completed training and education which must
be filled out and signed by the technician and the supervising pharmacist or
training sponsor.
3. Documentation of the passing the certification exam (PTCB or ExCPT)
Do I have to attend a professional training program or college to become a
Pharmacy Technician?
No. Training programs are not required to become pharmacy technicians or take
the certification exam. The Board of Pharmacy does not endorse/approve
pharmacy technician curriculums or training programs. These programs must
comply with the educational requirements of “NMAC 19.22.9 Training and
Education.” Training programs simply offer helpful training and education to
complete the technician requirements. On the job training under a supervising
pharmacist is permitted.
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
Do I need to maintain my PTCB or ExCPT certification once I pass the initial
exam even if I maintain my continuing education requirements?
Yes. The Board of Pharmacy requires an active PTCB or ExCPT certification as
long as you wish to maintain an active pharmacy technician registration in this
state. Keep in mind that the expiration date of the certification licenses does not
always coincide with the technician registration expiration, which expires biennially
(every two years) on the last day of the licensee’s birth month.
My registration has expired but my certification is still in date. Can I still
work in the pharmacy?
No, you cannot work in the capacity of a pharmacy technician until your state
license is renewed. Once an application has been turned into the Board of
Pharmacy it takes 5 to 10 days to process. Until it has been completed, you are
unable to perform any technician duties as specified in 16.19.22.8 NMAC
(permissible activities). You may however perform clerical activities in the
pharmacy.
Are technicians allowed to be trained to administer vaccinations?
No. Technicians cannot be trained to administer vaccinations. Under no
circumstance may a technician administer vaccinations. The administration of
any drug is considered the “practice of pharmacy” limited to a pharmacist.
Can technicians prepare sterile and non-sterile products?
Yes. All pharmacy technicians who compound sterile pharmaceuticals must be a
certified pharmacy technician. They must complete board approved, on the job
didactic, experiential training and competency evaluations at the pharmacy of
employment. All technicians compounding sterile chemotherapy drugs must
completed a board approved course in chemotherapy drug preparation. On an
annual basis the pharmacist-in-charge is required to provide an in-service
education and training to supplement the initial training.
How many continuing education (CE) hours do I need to renew my
registration with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy?
None are required to remain active with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy.
However, both PTCB and ExCPT require 20 hours or continuing education every
two years, one hour of which must be in the subject of pharmacy law, in order to
renew your technician certification. Please contact either PTCB or ExCPT for
further information.
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
Are technicians required to attend a live law continuing education?
No. There is a requirement as part of a technician’s renewal process to obtain law
CE, but the 1 hour that PTCB or ExCPT requires does not have to include a
license session. However, the Board of Pharmacy welcomes and encourages
technicians to attend our live law review.
Where can I find continuing education for technicians?
A partial list of continuing education links is available through the Board’s website
(http://www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy/lawreview.html) under the “Law CE
Schedule” bottom of the page listed under “Continuing Education.
The New Mexico Pharmacists Association and the New Mexico Society of Health
Systems Pharmacist also provides CE opportunities for technicians.
May technicians renew online with the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy?
Yes at https://mylicense.rld.state.nm.us/. The application for renewal can still be
obtained online at the Board of Pharmacy website
(www.rld.state.nm.us/Pharmacy/). Keep in mind the original application must still
be mailed in via post mail or physically turned in to the Board of Pharmacy. It may
not be emailed, faxed, or submitted online. Technicians are encouraged to turn in
their applications in a timely fashion as it takes 5 to 10 days to process once the
application is received.
How do I change my address or employment?
Pharmacy technicians shall report in writing any changes of address or
employment to the Board within ten (10) days. Change of address may be done
online or the necessary forms can be obtained online at
www.rld.state.nm.us/Pharmacy/
under the heading “Fees/Forms/Manuals/Lists”
and then “Changes Reporting Form.” If changes are not made online the changes
can be sent via email, fax, or post mail using the appropriate address listed on the
form.
What steps do I have to take or what fees do I have to pay if I have not
reinstated my state registration for several months or several years after it
has expired but have maintained my PTCB or ExCPT certification current
and now want to apply to work as a Register PhT at a local pharmacy?
If you have not been working in a pharmacy or in a setting as a pharmacy
technician and would like to return to that work setting, you would have to submit a
letter stating you have not worked in that capacity, the reasons for your absence,
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
and pay the necessary late fees along with your registration fee and CE
requirements to become current. Reminder: Board rules require you to notify the
Board when you change or leave the employment of a pharmacy/clinic.
If I have out-of-state records, but they are current, do I have to re-train to
become registered in the state of New Mexico?
There is no reciprocity of technician registration in New Mexico. If you do not have
current licensure in New Mexico, you will have to re-train in order to work as a
pharmacy technician. The “Technician Training Sponsor” is responsible for
documenting and verifying your training. They may accept some or all of the
training you received at another pharmacy or pharmacy technician program.
“Technician Training Sponsor” means pharmacist-in-charge, pharmacist or
designated administrator at a pharmacy technician training program who assumes
responsibility for training and duties performed by a non-certified technician.
What are the training requirements for pharmacy Technicians?
Technician must become a certified pharmacy technician with in 1 year of
beginning employment/registering as a pharmacy technician. Technicians must
complete the following training requirements:
(1) federal and state laws and regulations that affect pharmacy practice;
specific regulations which address the use of supportive personnel and
technicians;
(2) ethical and professional standards of practice;
(3) medical and pharmaceutical terminology, symbols and abbreviations used
in the practice of pharmacy and components of a prescription;
(4) pharmaceutical calculations necessary for the preparation and dispensing
of drug products;
(5) manufacturing, preparation, packaging, labeling and proper storage of drug
products;
(6) dosage forms and routes of administration; and
(7) trade and generic names for medications frequently dispensed by the
pharmacy;
(8) basic comprehension of pharmacology;
(9) basic knowledge of appropriate pharmacy references.
Is pharmacy technician certification the same thing as “pharmacy technician
training”?
No. Pharmacy technician certification is a national certification. Pharmacy
technician training is a state requirement that must be completed prior to
registration as a certified pharmacy technician.
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DIVISION
Board of Pharmacy
5200 Oakland Avenue, NE ▪ Suite A ▪ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113
(505) 222-9830 ▪ Fax (505) 222-9845 ▪ (800) 565-9102
www.rld.state.nm.us/pharmacy
If I have been a technician for many years but have no past records
available, do I have to start over with training?
The Board of Pharmacy can retrieve records as far back as the 1980s. Verify with
the Board if you have records on file. If no records are found, you will have to start
your training over. Remember to always take your training records with you when
you change employers, as you will need to keep them for future reference.
