How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Washington
To become a pharmacy technician in Washington, be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED, register as a pharmacy assistant, then finish an approved program (800 hours at a school or 520 hours on the job) plus 8 hours of pharmacy law study. Pass a national exam within one year and apply to the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission ($140). Every rule below is taken from the regulations themselves (WAC 246-945-203, -205, -215, -220, -990).
Updated October 2026 · Rules checked October 2026 · Sources: WAC 246-945-203, -205, -215, -220, -990, IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
- Minimum training
- 800 hrsor 520 hrs on the job
- State license fee
- $140renewal $140 every 2 years
- Colleges with pharmacy tech programs
- 10IPEDS 2023–24
- Washington median pay
- $58,900$28.32/hr · BLS May 2025
What are the Washington pharmacy technician requirements?
| Credential | Pharmacy technician certification |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission |
| Who qualifies | At least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or GED |
| Before training | Before training starts, register as a pharmacy assistant and get a technician-in-training endorsement for the pharmacies where you train; finish the program within two years |
| Training | Complete a commission-approved training program and 8 hours of guided study of Washington and federal pharmacy law, overseen by a Washington-licensed pharmacist |
| Exam | Pass a national certification exam approved by the commission within one year of finishing your training program |
| State fee | $140 initial credential fee |
| Renewal | Every two years on your birthday: the $140 renewal fee and 20 hours of continuing education from an ACPE-accredited provider, including at least one hour of health equity training |
From WAC 246-945-205 (certification), WAC 246-945-215 (training programs), WAC 246-945-203 (technician-in-training), WAC 246-945-220 (continuing education) and WAC 246-945-990 (fees and renewal), read in October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission before you apply.
Step 1: Check that you qualify
At least 18 years old, with a high school diploma or GED.
Step 2: Register before you train in a pharmacy
Before training starts, register as a pharmacy assistant and get a technician-in-training endorsement for the pharmacies where you train; finish the program within two years. Fee: $70. Plan your training and exam to fit inside the 2 years.
Step 3: Finish a pharmacy technician training program
Complete a commission-approved training program and 8 hours of guided study of Washington and federal pharmacy law, overseen by a Washington-licensed pharmacist.
A program is approved if one of these bodies accredits, approves or administers it:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
- United States Armed Forces
Any other program must run between 15 weeks and 24 months and meet one of these minimums:
- A vocational or technical program: 800 hours, including 160 hours of supervised practice
- A formal academic program: two quarters of 30 credit hours each, including 160 hours of supervised practice
- On-the-job training: at least 520 hours, with 12 hours of instruction
10 colleges in Washington report pharmacy technician programs to the U.S. Department of Education; see them with costs and graduates. Pharmacies, hospitals and private schools outside that federal data also train pharmacy technicians, so check a program's approval before you pay.
Pharmacy technician programs in Washington's biggest metro areas
Step 4: Pass an approved certification exam
Pass a national certification exam approved by the commission within one year of finishing your training program. Check that your exam is on the approved list before you register for it.
Step 5: Apply to the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
Send your application with proof of training and your exam result. Fee: $140 initial credential fee.
Keep it current. Every two years on your birthday: the $140 renewal fee and 20 hours of continuing education from an ACPE-accredited provider, including at least one hour of health equity training.
8,150 pharmacy technicians work in Washington. The median earns $58,900 a year; the top 10% earn $79,090 or more (BLS May 2025). Washington pharmacy technician pay by metro area.
How do other states compare?
| State | Training | While training | Fee | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Board-prescribed program | Trainee registration, 36 months | $72 | 13 |
| California | 240-hr course, ASHP or military program, degree, pharmacy school or certification | No registration; externship up to 6 months | $120 | 64 |
| Texas | Pharmacist-in-charge training manual | Trainee registration, 2 years | $84 | 38 |
| Washington | 800 hrs (school) or 520 hrs (on the job) | Pharmacy assistant + endorsement, 2 years | $140 | 10 |
Only states whose pharmacy technician rules we have read in full are listed. How to become a pharmacy technician: all states compared.
Becoming a pharmacy technician in Washington: FAQ
Do you need a license to be a pharmacy technician in Washington?
Yes: a pharmacy technician certification, issued by the Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. Its requirements are in WAC 246-945-203, -205, -215, -220, -990, summarized on this page.
Can you work in a pharmacy while you train in Washington?
Before training starts, register as a pharmacy assistant and get a technician-in-training endorsement for the pharmacies where you train; finish the program within two years. The fee is $70.
How many hours of training does Washington require?
An approved school program must run at least 800 hours, including 160 hours of supervised practice, over 15 weeks to 24 months; on-the-job training must run at least 520 hours. You also need 8 hours of guided pharmacy law study.
Do you need to pass an exam in Washington?
Yes. Pass a national certification exam approved by the commission within one year of finishing your training program.
How much does it cost to become a pharmacy technician in Washington?
State fees: $70 to register for training, then $140 initial credential fee. The exam fee is extra.
How much do pharmacy technicians make in Washington?
The median Washington pharmacy technician earned $58,900 a year ($28.32 an hour) in BLS May 2025 data, above the U.S. median of $45,750. The middle half earned $50,400 to $67,630.