MPJE Tips: Technician Specific Regulations

What should pharmacists and pharmacy managers know about BOP regulations specific to technician registration?

A pharmacy requires the support of pharmacy technicians to run the operations smoothly. A technitian’s scope of practice differs between states. However, some common tasks include: answering phone calls, data entry, and insurance processing to name a few.

Pharmacists, pharmacy managers, and pharmacy district managers are responsible to:

1. Know the BOP requirements for hiring a pharmacy technician

2. Ensure that pharmacy technicians meet the board’s registration requirements

3. Ensure that the pharmacy technician meets to board’s education requirements

4. Ensure that the pharmacy technician continues to meet the license renewal requirements where applicable (example: CE, license/registration renewal)

5. Ensure that the pharmacy technician operates within their scope of practice

6. Ensure that the technician operates under the direct supervision of a pharmacist at all times

Things to keep in mind:

1. Not all states license pharmacy technicians

2. Not all states require technicians to be registered with the BOP/DOH

3. Some states allow the expanded scope of practice for technicians if they hold additional training/national certification

Before you allow a technician into the pharmacy to assist in the daily operations make sure you are aware AND comply with all BOP and DOL requirements. These requirements should be maintained and verified on an ongoing basis by the pharmacist, or a designated department (ex: HR).

Here are sample MPJE questions about this topic:

MPJE Question 1: Priya is a pharmacy technician, and she works the day shift at a chain pharmacy. She just notified the pharmacist that due to ongoing divorce reasons she didn’t have a chance to renew her license which expired a week ago. Priya promised to get her license in order within the next 48 hours. What should the supervising pharmacist do? (select all that apply)

1. Allow Priya to finish her current shift

2. Allow Priya to work through the end of her pay period while she renews her license

3. Allow Priya to perform non-patient-facing operations during the next 48 hours

4. Ask Priya to stop performing pharmacy technician duties right away

5. Ask Priya to come back to work only after she submits all her license renewal requirements to the BOP

The answer to MPJE question 1 is 4 only. Priya should not be performing pharmacy technician work without a current and active license. The pharmacist should ask her to stop and leave right away. The act of Priya working without an active license will subject the pharmacist and manager to disciplinary actions.

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