Pharmacists need a state pharmacy license; pharmacy technicians need certification or registration depending on your state

Walgreens hires two main roles that handle medicine: pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. A pharmacist must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) and pass the NAPLEX exam plus a state law exam. A pharmacy technician does not need a degree, but most states require you to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or register with your state board — requirements vary by state.

Your state pharmacy board sets the rules, not Walgreens. Walgreens will not hire you without the credential your state requires. If you are already licensed or certified in one state and move to another, you will need to meet that new state's requirements before you can work there, even if you have been a pharmacist or technician for years.

Key Takeaways

  • Pharmacists must earn a PharmD degree, pass the NAPLEX exam, and pass your state's pharmacy law exam before Walgreens can hire you.
  • Pharmacy technicians must pass the PTCE or meet your state's registration requirements; some states allow you to work while studying for the exam, others do not.
  • Your state pharmacy board issues and renews your license or certification, and you must renew it on schedule or you cannot work.
  • Walgreens requires the credential your state requires — they will not hire you without it, and they will not sponsor you to get it.

Pharmacist requirements: degree, exams, and state license

To work as a pharmacist at Walgreens, you must first complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at an accredited pharmacy school. This is a four-year graduate degree. You cannot skip this step or substitute experience for it. After you finish the degree, you must pass two exams: the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) and your state's pharmacy law exam, sometimes called the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam) or a state-specific equivalent.

Once you pass both exams, your state pharmacy board issues your pharmacist license. You must renew this license every one to three years depending on your state, and renewal usually requires continuing education hours. Walgreens will ask to see your active license before you start work. If your license lapses, you cannot work as a pharmacist anywhere, including Walgreens, until you renew it.

Some states allow you to work under a pharmacist's supervision while you are still in pharmacy school (as an intern), but you cannot work as a licensed pharmacist until you have the degree and have passed both exams. A few states have additional requirements, such as a practical exam or a specific number of internship hours, so check your state pharmacy board's website to confirm what you need.

Pharmacy technician requirements: certification or state registration

Pharmacy technicians do not need a degree, but most states require certification or registration. The most common path is to pass the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam), which is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). After you pass, you become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Some states also allow you to register without certification if you meet their specific requirements, such as a certain number of hours working under a pharmacist's supervision.

A few states do not require certification or registration at all, meaning you could theoretically work as a pharmacy technician without passing an exam. However, Walgreens typically requires certification even in states where it is not legally required, because certification shows you have met a national standard. Check with your local Walgreens store or the Walgreens careers website to confirm what your state requires and what Walgreens will accept.

If you are not yet certified, some states allow you to work as an uncertified technician while you study for the PTCE, but you must work under a licensed pharmacist's direct supervision. Other states do not allow this. Your state pharmacy board's website will tell you whether you can work before certification. Walgreens may also have its own policy on hiring uncertified technicians, so ask during the hiring process.

How to get your pharmacist license step by step

First, you must be accepted to and complete a PharmD program at an accredited school. This typically takes four years of full-time study. During pharmacy school, you will complete internship hours, usually at a pharmacy like Walgreens, which counts toward your state's requirements.

After you graduate, register to take the NAPLEX exam through the NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy). You can take this exam as soon as you graduate. At the same time, register for your state's pharmacy law exam. Both exams are computer-based and you can usually schedule them within weeks of explore. Once you pass both, submit your results to your state pharmacy board along with any other documents they require (such as proof of your degree or fingerprints for a background check).

Your state pharmacy board will then issue your license. This usually takes two to four weeks after you submit everything. You will receive a license number and a physical or digital license document. Bring this to Walgreens when you are hired. If you move to a different state, you will need to get licensed in that state before you can work there, though some states have reciprocity agreements that speed up the process.

How to get pharmacy technician certification step by step

To become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), you must pass the PTCE. To sit for the exam, you typically need either a high school diploma or GED and a certain number of hours working as a pharmacy technician (usually 500 to 2,000 hours depending on your state). Some states allow you to count pharmacy school internship hours toward this total.

Register for the PTCE through the PTCB website. The exam costs around $129 and is offered year-round at testing centers. You can usually schedule it within a few weeks. After you pass, the PTCB issues your CPhT credential, which is valid for two years. You must renew it every two years by paying a renewal fee and completing continuing education hours.

Once you are certified, bring your CPhT certificate to Walgreens when you explore. If you are not yet certified, ask the store or the hiring manager whether you can work as an uncertified technician while you study for the exam. Some Walgreens locations will hire you and give you time to pass the exam; others will not. This varies by location and by state law.

State-by-state differences in pharmacy technician rules

Pharmacy technician requirements differ significantly by state. Some states require PTCE certification; others allow registration without certification; a few have no state requirement at all. For example, California requires technicians to be registered with the state board and to pass an exam, while Texas allows technicians to work with only a high school diploma and on-the-job training, though most employers prefer certification.

Before you explore to Walgreens, look up your state pharmacy board's website and search for "pharmacy technician requirements" or "technician registration". You will find the specific rules for your state, including whether you need certification, how many hours of experience you need before you can sit for the exam, and how often you must renew. Some states also have different rules for different types of technician roles (such as a technician who handles controlled substances versus one who does not).

If you are moving to a new state, do not assume your CPhT will transfer. Some states recognize PTCE certification automatically; others require you to register separately or take an additional state exam. Contact your new state's pharmacy board before you move to find out what you need to do.

What Walgreens will ask for during hiring

When you explore to work at Walgreens as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you will need to provide proof of your license or certification. For pharmacists, this means your active state pharmacy license. For pharmacy technicians, this means your CPhT certificate or proof of state registration, depending on what your state requires.

Walgreens will also run a background check and verify your license or certification directly with your state pharmacy board. If your license or certification is expired, suspended, or revoked, Walgreens will not hire you. If you are in the middle of renewing your license or certification, tell the hiring manager when you expect to have it renewed and provide proof that you have submitted the renewal process.

You will also need to pass a drug test and meet Walgreens' other hiring requirements, such as being at least 16 years old (for technicians) or 18 years old (for some positions). These are separate from your license or certification requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work at Walgreens as a pharmacy technician without certification?

It depends on your state and on Walgreens' local policy. Some states do not require certification, and some Walgreens locations will hire uncertified technicians if they are willing to study for the PTCE. Other states require certification before you can work at all. Call your local Walgreens pharmacy and ask whether they hire uncertified technicians, or check your state pharmacy board's website to see what your state requires.

What if I have a pharmacy license from another state?

You cannot work in a state where you are not licensed, even if you are licensed elsewhere. You must get licensed in your new state before you can work there. Some states have reciprocity agreements that make this faster, but you still need to explore and pay a fee. Contact your new state's pharmacy board to find out how long it takes and what documents you need to submit.

How long does it take to become a pharmacist?

A PharmD degree takes four years of full-time study. After you graduate, you must pass the NAPLEX and your state's law exam, which usually takes a few weeks to schedule and a few more weeks to get your license issued. In total, plan on four to five months from graduation to having your license in hand.

Do I need to renew my pharmacy license or CPhT certification?

Yes. Pharmacist licenses must be renewed every one to three years depending on your state. CPhT certification must be renewed every two years. If you do not renew on time, your credential expires and you cannot work until you renew it. Walgreens will not keep you on the payroll if your license or certification lapses.

Can Walgreens sponsor me to get a pharmacy license?

No. Walgreens will not pay for your PharmD degree or your PTCE exam, and they will not sponsor you for a visa or immigration benefit based on a pharmacy job. You must already have your license or certification before you explore. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement after you are hired, but this is separate from the initial licensing requirement.