Colorado Pharmacy Technician Bill Passes House and Senate
Earlier this month both the Colorado House and Senate passed House Bill 19-1242 (HB19-1242) which will allow the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Board) to regulate pharmacy technicians in Colorado.
By March 30, 2020, pharmacy technicians practicing in Colorado must obtain certification from the Board by providing:
- Proof of certification by a Board-approved, nationally recognized organization that certifies pharmacy technicians, and
- Must either submit to a criminal history record check or provide evidence of a criminal history record check at the time of hiring or as a condition of national certification as a pharmacy technician.
The Board may grant a provisional certification to a pharmacy technician applicant if the technician is not certified at the time of applying for their state certification. However, the provisional certification is not renewable and if the set time period expires, the individual cannot practice as a pharmacy technician until all requirements for certification by the Board are satisfied.
Pharmacy technicians certified by the Board, similar to licensed pharmacists and pharmacy interns, will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Board and to discipline by the Board for engaging in unprofessional conduct.
Once HB19-1242 is signed by the Governor and becomes law, only a handful of states remain that do not license or regulate pharmacy technicians.