How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in South Dakota

Steps to become a pharmacy technician in South Dakota

1. Meet Age and Education Requirements. Ensure you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
2. Obtain Employment at a Pharmacy. Get hired by a South Dakota-licensed pharmacy before applying for registration.
3. Register with the State. Submit your registration application and pay the $25 fee to the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of employment.
4. Complete On-the-Job Training. Receive supervised training from a licensed pharmacist at your place of employment.
5. Obtain National Certification. Pass the PTCB or ExCPT certification exam within two years of your initial registration.
6. Renew Registration Annually. Renew your registration by October 31 each year, paying the $25 renewal fee to remain active.
7. Maintain Certification. Complete 20 hours of continuing education (if nationally certified) every two years to keep your certification valid.

State Requirements

• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old.
• Education Requirement: Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Employment Requirement: Must be employed in a South Dakota-licensed pharmacy before applying for registration.
• Registration Deadline: Must register with the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of starting employment.
• Training Requirement: Training must be completed under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Certification Requirement: Must obtain national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) within 2 years of the initial registration.
• Registration Fee: A $25 non-refundable application fee is required.
• Renewal Requirement: Registrations must be renewed annually before October 31, with a $25 renewal fee.
• Continuing Education: Not required by the state, but national certifications (PTCB/ExCPT) may require continuing education for maintenance.

Education and Training

In South Dakota, formal training for pharmacy technicians is not required by the state, but it is highly recommended and often wanted by employers. The state requires technicians to receive on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. However, completing a PTCB- or ExCPT-approved training program is valuable for those aiming to obtain national certification, which is required within two years of registration.

Pharmacy technician training programs generally cover a range of essential subjects such as pharmacology, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmacy operations, drug classifications, and medical terminology. Additionally, students learn practical skills like prescription processing, dosage calculations, and inventory management. These courses are designed to prepare candidates for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the ExCPT exam.

Completing formal training has many advantages. It can significantly improve job prospects, especially in competitive job markets, and helps ensure you are well-prepared for certification exams. Moreover, many employers prefer or require certified technicians, making training a valuable investment in long-term career success.

Certification

In South Dakota, certification as a pharmacy technician is not mandated by the state, but it must be obtained within two years of registering as a technician. Certification is a key requirement to ensure you are meeting both national standards and employer expectations. South Dakota recognizes two primary certifications: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT), provided by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Both certification exams test critical areas such as medication safety, pharmacy law, and order processing, ensuring that candidates possess the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in a pharmacy setting. The PTCB exam focuses on four major areas: Medications, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, Federal Requirements, and Order Entry and Processing, while the ExCPT exam covers similar areas but may have slight differences in focus.

Becoming certified offers several benefits. It can increase job opportunities, improve salary potential, and give you a competitive edge in the workplace. Certification demonstrates a commitment to the profession and provides assurance to employers and patients alike that you have met high standards of pharmacy practice. Additionally, many employers prefer or even require certification as part of their hiring process, making it a crucial step for career advancement.

Licensing/Registration

In South Dakota, pharmacy technicians are required to complete a registration process with the South Dakota Board of Pharmacy within 30 days of starting employment. This registration is mandatory for all pharmacy technicians working in the state, ensuring that all individuals in the role are tracked and held to professional standards. There is no separate licensing process in South Dakota, but maintaining active registration is crucial to continue working legally in a pharmacy.

To register, applicants must provide proof of employment at a licensed South Dakota pharmacy and pay a $25 registration fee. The application is completed online, and technicians must include personal information, employment details, and any necessary documentation, such as certification for those already certified. Once registered, pharmacy technicians are expected to pursue certification within two years. South Dakota does not offer direct reciprocity for technicians registered in other states, but if you are moving to South Dakota, you will need to follow the state’s registration requirements.

Registrations must be renewed annually by October 31, with a renewal fee of $25. It is essential to complete the renewal on time, as there is no grace period, and technicians cannot work without an active registration. For those whose registrations have expired, reinstatement typically involves submitting a new application along with payment of any applicable fees, though additional documentation or penalties may be required depending on the length of expiration.

Continuing Education

In South Dakota, there are no state-mandated continuing education (CE) requirements for pharmacy technicians. However, if you are certified through a national organization like the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), you will need to meet their continuing education standards to maintain your certification.

For technicians certified by the PTCB, you must complete 20 hours of CE every two years. This includes at least 1 hour focused on pharmacy law and 1 hour on patient safety. The remaining hours can be in areas related to pharmacy practice, which helps keep technicians updated on the latest regulations, technologies, and patient care techniques.

Similarly, for those certified through the ExCPT, 20 hours of CE every two years are required as well, with a focus on maintaining current knowledge in areas such as medication safety, pharmacy law, and pharmacology. CE helps ensure that certified pharmacy technicians continue to deliver safe and accurate service in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

Even though the state doesn’t require CE, staying updated with certification CE requirements is crucial to maintaining certification and staying competitive in the job market.

Resources

South Dakota Department of Health – Board of Pharmacy
doh.sd.gov/boards/pharmacy

Office:             3701 West 49th Street, Suite 204. Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Telephone:    605-362-2737

Fax:                605-362-2738

Professional Association for South Dakota Pharmacy Technicians: 
South Dakota Pharmacists Association (SDPhA)
www.sdpha.org