§ 2042a. Pharmacy technicians; qualifications for registration

(a) No person shall perform the duties of a pharmacy technician unless registered with the Board. To obtain a registration as a pharmacy technician, an applicant shall:

(1) not have engaged in acts that affect the ability of the applicant to practice as a pharmacy technician;

(2) if required by rules adopted by the Board, be certified or eligible for certification by a national pharmacy technician certification authority; and

(3) have paid the fee specified in section 2046 of this chapter.

(b) Pharmacy technicians administering immunizations shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a registration as a pharmacy technician in accordance with subsection (a) of this section;

(2) hold a current CPR certification;

(3) have successfully completed an Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education-accredited training program approved by the Board; and

(4) successfully complete two hours of immunization-related continuing education approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education every two-year licensing period.

(c) Pharmacy technicians shall only administer immunizations:

(1) to patients 18 years of age or older, as established in subdivision 2023(b)(2)(A)(vii) and the resulting State protocol;

(2) to patients five years of age or older, influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and subsequent formulations or combination products thereof, in accordance with subdivision 2023(b)(2)(A)(viii) and the resulting State protocol;

(3) pursuant to the schedules and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for the administration of immunizations, as those recommendations may be updated from time to time; and

(4) when a licensed pharmacist who is trained to immunize is present and able to assist with the immunization, as needed.

(d) Pharmacy technicians shall administer only those immunizations that:

(1) are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); and

(2) licensed pharmacists are permitted to administer under the State clinical pharmacy protocol, as established in subdivision 2023(b)(2) of this title.

(e) Pharmacy technicians performing COVID-19 tests shall do so only:

(1) when a licensed pharmacist who is trained to perform COVID-19 tests is present and able to assist with the test, as needed;

(2) in accordance with a State protocol adopted under subdivision 2023(b)(2)(A)(x) of this title; and

(3) in accordance with rules adopted by the Board.

(f) The Board may adopt rules regarding the administration of immunizations and the performance of COVID-19 tests by pharmacy technicians. (Added 2003, No. 60, § 9; amended 2013, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 12; 2023, No. 77, § 9, eff. June 20, 2023.)