How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana (2026 Guide)

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana: Step by Step

The PTCE exam and PTCB eligibility rules are the same nationwide. Louisiana's only state-specific layer is its own registration requirement.

1. 1
   Meet PTCB eligibility

   Have a high school diploma or GED, disclose any criminal or state board history, and qualify through one of two national pathways: completion of a PTCB-recognized education/training program, or at least 500 hours of verified pharmacy technician work experience within the preceding four years.
2. 2
   Pass the national PTCE exam

   Register with PTCB and pay the $129 exam fee (this never varies by state). The exam is 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored, 10 unscored pretest) over 110 minutes at a Pearson VUE test center. A scaled score of 1400 (out of 1000-1600) is required to pass.
3. 3
   Complete Louisiana's Pharmacy Technician Candidate (PTC) → Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT)

   Two-tier system: register as a Pharmacy Technician Candidate (PTC) for up to 24 months (non-renewable) while completing at least 600 hours of practical experience (max 50 hrs/week credited), then must pass a Board-approved certification exam (PTCB PTCE or NHA ExCPT) to become a full Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT). National certification is a hard requirement to reach full CPT status, not optional. Could not find a confident specific registration fee figure — left null rather than guess. Check the Board of Pharmacy for the current fee. Renewal: PTC tier: 24-month non-renewable candidate window; CPT: ongoing with 10 CE hours required annually.
4. 4
   Apply for your first pharmacy technician position

   With PTCB certification and your state registration in hand, you can apply to retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and specialty/mail-order pharmacies. Average pay in Louisiana is $18.61/hr.

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