Code of Virginia § 54.1-3321. Registration of pharmacy technicians.
908 words·~4 min read·
/va/title-54-1/chapter-33/54-1-3321·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A. No person shall perform the duties of a pharmacy technician without first being registered as a pharmacy technician with the Board. Upon being registered with the Board as a pharmacy technician, the following tasks may be performed:
1. The entry of prescription information and drug history into a data system or other record keeping system;
2. The preparation of prescription labels or patient information;
3. The removal of the drug to be dispensed from inventory;
4. The counting, measuring, or compounding of the drug to be dispensed;
5. The packaging and labeling of the drug to be dispensed and the repackaging thereof;
6. The stocking or loading of automated dispensing devices or other devices used in the dispensing process;
7. The acceptance of refill authorization of a prescription for a Schedule III through Schedule VI drug and clarification of quantity or refills for a prescription issued for a Schedule VI drug from a prescriber or his authorized agent, so long as there is no other change to the original prescription;
8. The acceptance of an electronic transfer of a refill for a Schedule VI drug upon order of the pharmacist-in-charge or pharmacist on duty if the refill is not an on-hold prescription;
9. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, meaning the supervising pharmacist is at the same physical location of the technician or pharmacy intern, and consistent with the requirements of § 54.1-3303.1 , administration of the following drugs and devices to persons three years of age or older as set forth in regulations of the Board: vaccines included on the Immunization Schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccines for COVID-19; and
10. The performance of any other task restricted to pharmacy technicians by the Board's regulations.
B. To be registered as a pharmacy technician, a person shall submit:
1. An application and fee specified in regulations of the Board;
2. Evidence that he has successfully completed a training program that is
(i)an accredited training program, including an accredited training program operated through the Department of Education's Career and Technical Education program or approved by the Board;
(ii)recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association; or
(iii)operated through a federal agency or branch of the military; and
3. Evidence that he has successfully passed a national certification examination administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or the National Healthcareer Association.
C. The Board shall promulgate regulations establishing requirements for:
1. Issuance of a registration as a pharmacy technician to a person who, prior to the effective date of such regulations,
(i)successfully completed or was enrolled in a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program or
(ii)passed a national certification examination required by the Board but did not complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program;
2. Issuance of a registration as a pharmacy technician to a person who
(i)has previously practiced as a pharmacy technician in another U.S. jurisdiction and
(ii)has passed a national certification examination required by the Board; and
3. Evidence of continued competency as a condition of renewal of a registration as a pharmacy technician.
D. The Board shall waive the initial registration fee for a pharmacy technician applicant who works as a pharmacy technician exclusively in a free clinic pharmacy. A person registered pursuant to this subsection shall be issued a limited-use registration. A pharmacy technician with a limited-use registration shall not perform pharmacy technician tasks in any setting other than a free clinic pharmacy. The Board shall also waive renewal fees for such limited-use registrations. A pharmacy technician with a limited-use registration may convert to an unlimited registration by paying the current renewal fee.
E. Any person registered as a pharmacy technician prior to the effective date of regulations implementing the provisions of this section shall not be required to comply with the requirements of subsection B in order to maintain or renew registration as a pharmacy technician.
F. A pharmacy technician trainee enrolled in a training program for pharmacy technicians described in subdivision B 2 may engage in the acts set forth in subsection A for the purpose of obtaining practical experience required for completion of the training program, so long as such activities are directly monitored by a supervising pharmacist.
G. To be registered as a pharmacy technician trainee, a person shall submit an application and a fee specified in regulations of the Board. Such registration shall only be valid while the person is enrolled in a pharmacy technician training program described in subsection B and actively progressing toward completion of such program. A registration card issued pursuant to this section shall be invalid and shall be returned to the Board if such person fails to enroll in a pharmacy technician training program described in subsection B.
H. A pharmacy intern may perform the duties set forth for pharmacy technicians in subsection A when registered with the Board for the purpose of gaining the practical experience required to apply for licensure as a pharmacist.
I. A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse practicing at an opioid treatment program pharmacy may perform the duties set forth for pharmacy technicians in subsection A, provided that all take-home medication doses are verified for accuracy by a pharmacist prior to dispensing.
2001, c. 317 ; 2004, c. 47 ; 2020, cc. 102 , 237 ; 2022, cc. 138 , 790 , 791 ; 2024, c. 214 ; 2025, c. 168 .