Pharmacy Technician in Idaho
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ID
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Idaho
To become a pharmacy technician in Idaho, you must register with the Idaho Board of Pharmacy through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Key steps include submitting an online application, providing a government-issued photo ID, completing fingerprint requirements for a background check (if 18 or older), and paying the $35 application fee. While a high school diploma or GED is generally expected, Idaho allows individuals as young as 16 to apply without one. National certification through the PTCB or NHA is required for Certified Pharmacy Technicians, and while the state does not mandate continuing education for its license renewal, national certifications typically require 20 CE hours every two years.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Idaho
| Detail | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Idaho Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED is generally required, though Idaho allows individuals as young as 16 to apply without a diploma. National certification (PTCB or NHA) is required for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Minimum age is 16. A fingerprint-based criminal background check is required for applicants 18 or older, with a processing fee of $28.25. While Idaho does not require CE for state license renewal, maintaining national certification (PTCB or NHA) typically requires 20 CE hours every two years, including specific hours in pharmacy law and patient safety. Idaho offers two types of licenses: Certified Pharmacy Technician (for those with national certification) and Uncertified Pharmacy Technician (for those just starting out). |
Source: Idaho Board of Pharmacy
License Tiers
Idaho offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Technician-in-Training | N/A |
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Idaho
The median pharmacy technician salary in Idaho is $45,210 per year, which is 4.0% above the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,940 |
| 25th | $38,910 |
| 50th (median) | $45,210 |
| 75th | $49,230 |
| 90th (experienced) | $58,570 |
Idaho employs approximately 2,740 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 Idaho Worth It?
Factors to consider: Idaho's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.