Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina
To become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in South Carolina, you must register with the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy, which requires an application and a $56 fee. No exam is required for this initial registration. To become a State-Certified Pharmacy Technician, an upgrade from the registered status, you must hold a high school diploma or GED, complete an ASHP-accredited or PTCB-recognized training program, pass a national certification exam (PTCB or NHA ExCPT), and complete 1,000 hours of supervised practice. Renewal for both registered and state-certified technicians is annual, requiring 10 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in South Carolina
| Detail | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | South Carolina Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED. For State Certification, completion of an ASHP-accredited or PTCB-recognized training program is required. |
| Experience Required | 1,000.0 hours |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA ExCPT for State Certification. No exam for initial registration. ($129) |
| Application Fee | $56 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 10.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | South Carolina has two levels: Registered Pharmacy Technician and State-Certified Pharmacy Technician. National certification (PTCB or NHA ExCPT) is required for State Certification, but not for initial registration. Minimum age is not specified for registration, but some sources indicate 18. A criminal background check and fingerprints are required. CE for State-Certified techs must include 4 hours live and 1 hour in pharmacy law. Renewal is annual by June 30th. |
Source: South Carolina Board of Pharmacy
License Tiers
South Carolina offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Registered Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
| State-Certified Pharmacy Technician | N/A |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in South Carolina
The median pharmacy technician salary in South Carolina is $38,960 per year, which is 10.4% below the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $34,360 |
| 25th | $36,360 |
| 50th (median) | $38,960 |
| 75th | $46,800 |
| 90th (experienced) | $49,800 |
South Carolina employs approximately 7,720 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 South Carolina Worth It?
Factors to consider: South Carolina's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.