Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Tennessee
To become a pharmacy technician in Tennessee, you must register with the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. While there is no state-mandated exam or education prerequisite, a fingerprint-based criminal background check is required. National certification, such as the PTCB's Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), is optional but allows for expanded duties and waives pharmacist-to-technician ratio limits. The application fee is $95, and registration must be renewed every two years.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Tennessee
| Detail | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Tennessee Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Not explicitly required by the state, but employers may require a high school diploma or GED. |
| Exam | National certification (e.g., PTCB's PTCE) is optional for state registration but offers expanded duties. ($129) |
| Application Fee | $95 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | No minimum age requirement for state registration. Requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check (fee $37.15 as of 2026). National certification is not required for state registration, but certified technicians can perform additional duties and are exempt from pharmacist-to-technician supervision ratio limits. The application process is primarily online through the Tennessee Licensure and Regulatory System (LARS). |
Source: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Tennessee
The median pharmacy technician salary in Tennessee is $38,130 per year, which is 12.3% below the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $32,200 |
| 25th | $36,210 |
| 50th (median) | $38,130 |
| 75th | $45,380 |
| 90th (experienced) | $49,410 |
Tennessee employs approximately 12,350 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 Tennessee Worth It?
Factors to consider: Tennessee's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.