Pharmacy Technician in Colorado
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CO
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado
To become a certified Pharmacy Technician in Colorado, individuals must obtain certification from the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. This requires earning a national certification from either the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) and submitting an application with a $57 fee. A criminal background check is also mandatory, and a provisional certification can be obtained for up to 18 months while working towards national certification. Renewal is required every two years, with 20 hours of continuing education necessary to maintain national certification.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Colorado
| Detail | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Colorado State Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED and national certification (PTCB or NHA). Completion of a Board-approved training program or ASHP-accredited program is also a pathway to national certification. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $57 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Must be at least 18 years old (implied by national certification requirements). A criminal background check is required. A provisional certification is available for up to 18 months to allow time to obtain national certification. |
Source: Colorado State Board of Pharmacy
License Tiers
Colorado offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Provisional Certification | N/A |
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Colorado
The median pharmacy technician salary in Colorado is $48,070 per year, which is 10.6% above the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $38,600 |
| 25th | $44,680 |
| 50th (median) | $48,070 |
| 75th | $54,870 |
| 90th (experienced) | $62,760 |
Colorado employs approximately 6,120 pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook
AI Impact on Pharmacy Technicians
Low AI Exposure (Score: 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.
Is Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Colorado Worth It?
Factors to consider: Colorado's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.