Pharmacy Technician in Virginia
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for VA
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Virginia
To become a registered Pharmacy Technician in Virginia, individuals must complete a Virginia Board of Pharmacy-approved training program and pass a national certification exam such as the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT). The application for registration is submitted online to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy with a fee of $35. There is no specified minimum age or high school diploma requirement by the state board, but a criminal background check is mandatory. Virginia offers reciprocity for those previously licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction who have passed a national certification exam. Registration must be renewed annually, requiring 5 hours of continuing education per cycle.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Virginia
| Detail | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Virginia Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a Virginia Board of Pharmacy-approved training program (which includes PTCB-recognized or NHA-recognized programs, ASHP/ACPE accredited, DOE CTE, or federal/military programs) AND national certification. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129) |
| Application Fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 5.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | No minimum age or high school diploma/GED is explicitly required by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, though some national certifications or training programs may have these requirements. A criminal background check is required. If you were previously licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction and passed a national certification exam (PTCE or ExCPT), you may be eligible for registration based on reciprocity. |
Source: Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Virginia
The median pharmacy technician salary in Virginia is $42,490 per year, which is 2.2% below the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $35,510 |
| 25th | $37,250 |
| 50th (median) | $42,490 |
| 75th | $47,950 |
| 90th (experienced) | $57,530 |
Virginia employs approximately 11,260 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 Virginia Worth It?
Factors to consider: Virginia's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.