Pharmacy Technician in Michigan
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MI
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Michigan
To become a licensed Pharmacy Technician in Michigan, individuals must apply through the Michigan Board of Pharmacy - LARA. Key steps include possessing a high school diploma or GED, passing one of the approved examinations (PTCB, NHA, or a Board-approved employer-based exam), and completing a criminal background check. Additionally, applicants must complete specific training in implicit bias and human trafficking. Michigan offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet the state's requirements.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Michigan
| Detail | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Michigan Board of Pharmacy - LARA |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. Completion of a Board-approved training program OR national certification (PTCB or NHA) OR a Board-approved employer-based exam is required for full licensure. National certification is not explicitly required for a full license, but passing one of the approved exams is. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $61 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age 18. Requires a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Initial licensure requires 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years preceding application. A one-time human trafficking training is also required. CE must include 1 hour in pain and symptom management, 1 hour in patient safety, and 1 hour in pharmacy law. Additionally, 5 of the 20 CE hours must be live/synchronous. No more than 12 hours of CE credit may be earned in a 24-hour period. |
License Tiers
Michigan offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Temporary Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
| Limited Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
| Pharmacy Technician (Full) | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Michigan
The median pharmacy technician salary in Michigan is $40,040 per year, which is 7.9% below the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $34,550 |
| 25th | $36,920 |
| 50th (median) | $40,040 |
| 75th | $47,780 |
| 90th (experienced) | $51,180 |
Michigan employs approximately 14,610 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 Michigan Worth It?
Factors to consider: Michigan's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.