Pharmacy Technician in Montana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MT
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Montana
To become a Pharmacy Technician in Montana, you must obtain a state license from the Montana Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, and obtaining national certification from either the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). While Montana does not have specific state CE requirements, maintaining national certification necessitates completing 20 CE hours every two years, including specific hours in pharmacy law and patient safety. A criminal background check is also required, and a provisional license is available for those not yet nationally certified.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Montana
| Detail | Montana |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Montana Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. National certification required for Certified Pharmacy Technician. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. A criminal background check is required. CE requirements are met by maintaining national certification (20 hours every 2 years, including 1 hour in pharmacy law and 1 hour in patient safety for PTCB and NHA). Montana offers a provisional license for those not yet nationally certified, valid for one year (or two years effective December 6, 2025). |
Source: Montana Board of Pharmacy
License Tiers
Montana offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Technician-in-Training | N/A |
| Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Montana
The median pharmacy technician salary in Montana is $46,980 per year, which is 8.1% above the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,370 |
| 25th | $39,360 |
| 50th (median) | $46,980 |
| 75th | $49,740 |
| 90th (experienced) | $58,470 |
Montana employs approximately 1,400 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 Montana Worth It?
Factors to consider: Montana's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.