Montana Pharmacy Technician License
Montana Board of Pharmacy
Total Fee
$35
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO (IDEMIA)
Temp License
Available
See board
What You'll Need
- Proof of National Certification — Copy of current PTCB or ExCPT certificate. Verify PTCB
- High School Diploma or GED — Copy of high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- Fingerprint Cards — Two completed fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) submitted to the Montana Department of Justice.
- Character Reference Forms — Three character references who can attest to your moral character; one must be a registered pharmacist. Reference Info
- Passport Photo — A recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
How to Apply
-
Obtain National Certification ▾Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). This is required for a full Certified Pharmacy Technician license.
PTCB Website -
Create an eBiz Account ▾Register for an account on the Montana Department of Labor & Industry's eBiz portal to start your application.
eBiz Portal -
Submit Online Application ▾Select 'Start A New License Application', then 'New Health Care License', and choose 'Certified Pharmacy Technician'. Pay the $35 non-refundable fee.
Start Application -
Complete Fingerprint Background Check ▾Submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check. You must submit your application first to receive the specific fingerprint card instructions and codes.
-
Submit Required Documentation ▾Upload or mail proof of high school graduation, a passport-sized photo, and three character references (one must be from a pharmacist).
Document Checklist -
Verify Out-of-State Licenses ▾If you hold or have ever held a professional license in another state, request official verification to be sent directly to the Montana Board of Pharmacy.
Total Fee
$35
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Available
Transfer License
Requirements ▾
Pharmacy Technicians licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.
Steps
-
Standard Online Application ▾Montana does not have a separate 'endorsement' application; out-of-state technicians apply via the standard online portal.
Apply Online -
License Verification ▾Request official verification of licensure from every state where you currently hold or have ever held a professional license.
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Montana Board of Pharmacy
Keeping Your License Active
Montana Pharmacy Technician licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Montana Board of Pharmacy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.
Visit board siteFees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $35 |
| Endorsement application | $35 |
| Fingerprint check | $35-$50 (varies by state) |
| Temporary permit | See board |
| Renewal | 50.0 |
Slow Downs
Incomplete Fingerprint Cards
▾
Missing information or poor-quality prints on the FD-258 cards will cause the DOJ to reject them, requiring a resubmission.
Missing Character References
▾
Applications are not considered complete until all three character references are received by the Board.
Out-of-State Verification Delays
▾
Waiting for other state boards to send official license verifications can significantly slow down the process.
Questions
Is national certification required to work in Montana?
▾
Yes, for a full Certified Pharmacy Technician license. However, you can apply for a Provisional license (formerly Technician-in-Training) if you are not yet certified but are employed by a Montana pharmacy.
How long is a Provisional license valid?
▾
A Provisional license is typically valid for 12 months, during which you must obtain national certification. New 2025 rules may extend this to 2 years; verify with the Board upon application.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?
▾
Montana does not have separate state CE requirements for technicians; you must simply maintain your national certification (PTCB or ExCPT), which requires 20 hours of CE every two years.
What is the application fee?
▾
The non-refundable application fee for a Pharmacy Technician (Certified or Provisional) is $35.