Pharmacy Technician in Maryland
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MD
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Maryland
To become a registered Pharmacy Technician in Maryland, individuals must register with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 17 years old, having a high school diploma or GED (or being currently enrolled in high school), and either completing a Board-approved training program with 160 hours of practical experience and passing an approved exam, or obtaining national certification through the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). A criminal background check is also required. Reciprocity is available for technicians registered in other states with similar requirements. For the first renewal, 10 continuing education hours are needed, and 20 hours for subsequent renewals.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Maryland
| Detail | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Maryland Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED, or be currently enrolled in high school. Completion of a board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or NHA). |
| Experience Required | 160.0 hours |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) if not completing a Board-approved training program with an exam. ($129) |
| Application Fee | $45 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 10.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age 17. Requires a criminal background check (cost approximately $38). For the first renewal cycle, 10 CE hours are required; for subsequent cycles, 20 CE hours are required. All health practitioners must attest to completing an implicit bias training program on their first license renewal after April 1, 2022. |
Source: Maryland Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Maryland
The median pharmacy technician salary in Maryland is $43,100 per year, which is 0.8% below the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,470 |
| 25th | $36,700 |
| 50th (median) | $43,100 |
| 75th | $49,620 |
| 90th (experienced) | $59,480 |
Maryland employs approximately 8,590 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 Maryland Worth It?
Factors to consider: Maryland's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.