Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts
To become a licensed Pharmacy Technician in Massachusetts, you must obtain licensure from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 18 years old, possessing a high school diploma or GED, and either passing a Board-approved exam (such as the PTCB or ExCPT), completing a Board-approved training program, or accumulating 500 hours of experience. While the state does not mandate continuing education for license renewal, maintaining national certification, if obtained, typically requires 20 hours of CE every two years. Massachusetts offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet substantially equivalent requirements.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Massachusetts
| Detail | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. Requirements vary by tier. |
| Experience Required | 500.0 hours |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18 years old. A background check is required. There is also a Pharmacy Technician-in-Training (PTT) license available for individuals 16+ years old who are currently enrolled in high school and do not yet meet the full requirements. While national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) is accepted, it is not strictly mandatory for state licensure; completing a Board-approved training program or 500 hours of experience, or an employer-administered exam after an approved training program are also accepted pathways. CE requirements for the state license are met by maintaining national certification, but the state itself does not mandate CE for renewal. |
License Tiers
Massachusetts offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Technician in Training | N/A |
| Registered Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Massachusetts
The median pharmacy technician salary in Massachusetts is $44,640 per year, which is 2.7% above the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,600 |
| 25th | $37,500 |
| 50th (median) | $44,640 |
| 75th | $52,110 |
| 90th (experienced) | $63,010 |
Massachusetts employs approximately 11,980 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 Massachusetts Worth It?
Factors to consider: Massachusetts's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.