2026 · From official Michigan Board of Pharmacy sources · Checked November 1, 2026 How to become a pharmacy technician in Michigan: license, exam options and costs

To work as a pharmacy technician in Michigan you need a pharmacy technician license from the Michigan Board of Pharmacy, issued through LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing. For a license by examination you need a high school diploma or GED and a passing score on the PTCB's exam, NHA's exam or a board-approved Michigan employer-based training program exam, sent directly to the bureau by the testing body; the board's guide doesn't set a minimum age. So PTCB certification isn't required, and if you meet every requirement except the exam you can get a one-year temporary license for $15.30 while you prepare, which can't be renewed. Every applicant also needs a criminal background check, 2 hours of implicit bias training in the five years before licensure, a one-time human trafficking training, an NABP e-Profile number and a working knowledge of English. You apply online through MiPLUS and pay $137.70 for the application and the two-year license. The license renews every two years for $61.20, with 20 hours of board-approved continuing education, including 1 hour each of pain and symptom management, patient safety, and pharmacy ethics and jurisprudence, plus 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the cycle. These requirements come from the board's Pharmacy Technician Licensing Guide (revised January 26, 2026), checked November 1, 2026.

Michigan requirements at a glance

Credential

Pharmacy technician license from the Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA, Bureau of Professional Licensing), valid for two years. source

Exam

For a license by examination, pass the PTCB's exam, NHA's exam or a board-approved Michigan employer-based training program exam. The testing body sends your scores directly to the bureau. source

National certification

Not required: a board-approved employer-based training program exam also qualifies. If you hold an active technician license or registration by exam in another state, you can apply by endorsement. source

Temporary license

If you're preparing for the exam and meet every other requirement, you can get a temporary license for $15.30. It lasts one year and can't be renewed. source

Education

Graduation from an accredited high school (or a comparable school), or a passed GED or graduate equivalency exam. source

Minimum age

Not stated in the board's Pharmacy Technician Licensing Guide. source

Required training

At least 2 hours of implicit bias training within the five years before your license is issued, and a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking. source

Background check

Required for every applicant: after you submit the online application you're emailed instructions to complete the criminal background check (relicensure applicants whose license expired within three years are exempt). source

How to get your license in Michigan, step by step

1. 1Finish high school or a GED, and get an NABP e-Profile number from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. NABP source
2. 2Pass the PTCB's exam, NHA's exam or a board-approved employer-based training program exam, and have the scores sent directly to the bureau. The board lists approved employer programs on its pharmacy page. Board of Pharmacy page source
3. 3Complete 2 hours of implicit bias training and the one-time human trafficking training before your license is issued. source
4. 4Apply online through MiPLUS, the Michigan Professional Licensing User System, and pay $137.70 by credit or debit card. If you meet everything except the exam, you can apply for the $15.30 temporary license instead. MiPLUS source
5. 5Complete the criminal background check using the instructions in your application confirmation email. source
6. 6Applications are reviewed in the order received. A new license takes 4 to 6 weeks on average, and a PDF of it is emailed to you as soon as it's issued. source

What it costs in Michigan

Fees are paid online by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. National certification isn't required in Michigan; if you choose the PTCE as your exam, PTCB charges $129.

Renewal and continuing education

The license renews every two years online through MiPLUS, no sooner than 90 days before it expires, for $61.20. Each renewal needs 20 hours of board-approved continuing education, including at least 1 hour of pain and symptom management, 1 hour of patient safety and 1 hour of pharmacy ethics and jurisprudence, with at least 5 hours in live courses (in person or virtual) and no more than 12 hours earned in any 24 hours. You also need 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of the license cycle. You don't send CE proof when you renew, but keep it for at least 4 years in case you're picked for the random audit. There's a 60-day grace period with a $20 late fee; after that the license lapses and you apply for relicensure ($157.70) with proof of 20 CE hours from the previous two years. source

Mistakes people make in Michigan

• Implicit bias training isn't one time: you need 2 hours before your first license, then 1 hour for each year of every renewal cycle. source
• Human trafficking and implicit bias training don't count toward your 20 CE hours unless the course also meets the board's CE requirements. source
• You can't renew early: renewal opens about 90 days before your license expires, and not getting the reminder doesn't excuse a late renewal. source

Requirements in other states

Sources, checked November 1, 2026: Board: Pharmacy Technician Licensing Guide (rev. Jan 26, 2026) · Board of Pharmacy page · MiPLUS · PTCB: CPhT. Rules and fees change; the Michigan Board of Pharmacy is the final word. QuizPrep isn't affiliated with the board, PTCB or NHA.