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Colorado Pharmacy Technician License

Colorado Board of Pharmacy

Total Fee
$139
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
IdentoGO / CBI
Temp License
Not available
See board

What You'll Need

  • National Certification Certificate — Proof of active certification from PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT). Verify PTCB Status
  • Government-Issued Photo ID — A valid driver's license, state ID, or passport.
  • Criminal History Attestation — Completion of the fingerprinting process and attestation of criminal history in the online application. Fingerprint Info
  • Name Change Documentation — Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if your current name differs from your certification or ID.

How to Apply

  1. Obtain National Certification ▾
    Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) through PTCB or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) through NHA.
    PTCB Website
  2. Complete Fingerprint Background Check ▾
    Schedule an appointment with an approved vendor (IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting) to submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
    Schedule Fingerprinting
  3. Create a DORA Account ▾
    Register for an individual account on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations portal.
    Create DORA Account
  4. Submit PHAT Application ▾
    Log in to the portal and select 'Apply for a New License'. Choose 'Pharmacy Technician (PHAT)' if you are already certified, or 'Pharmacy Technician Provisional (PHATP)' if you are still in training.
    Start Application
  5. Upload Required Documents ▾
    Upload your national certification certificate, a valid government-issued ID, and any required legal name change documents.
  6. Pay Application Fee ▾
    Submit the non-refundable application fee (approximately $57) through the online portal using a credit card or electronic check.
  7. Monitor Application Status ▾
    Check the 'My License/Application Information' tab in your DORA account to track the progress of your application. Processing typically takes several weeks.
    Check Status
Total Fee
$139
Processing Time
4 to 6 Weeks
Fingerprints
Required
Temp License
Not available

Transfer License

Requirements ▾
Pharmacy Technicians licensed in another state can often apply via endorsement by providing license verification and current certification.

Steps

  1. Verify National Certification ▾
    Ensure your PTCB or NHA certification is active and in good standing, as Colorado requires this for all out-of-state applicants.
    PTCB Portal
  2. Apply via Original Method ▾
    Colorado does not have a separate 'endorsement' application for technicians; out-of-state technicians apply using the standard PHAT application flow.
    Apply Online
  3. Submit Background Check ▾
    Even if you were fingerprinted in another state, you must complete a Colorado-specific fingerprint background check via CBI.
    IdentoGO Colorado
Total Fee
$50
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Compact
No
Board
Colorado Board of Pharmacy

Keeping Your License Active

Colorado Pharmacy Technician licenses renew Every 2 years. Contact the Colorado Board of Pharmacy for continuing education requirements and renewal deadlines.

Fees

ItemAmount
Application$100
Endorsement application$100
Fingerprint check$39.50
Temporary permitSee board
Renewal50.0

Slow Downs

Incorrect Fingerprint Service Code ▾
Using the wrong code during fingerprinting prevents the Board from receiving your results. Ensure you use the specific code for Pharmacy Technicians.
Missing National Certification ▾
Applying for a full PHAT license without having passed the PTCB or NHA exam will result in a hold or rejection.
Name Discrepancies ▾
If the name on your national certification does not exactly match your DORA account or ID, processing will be delayed until name change documents are provided.
Incomplete Attestations ▾
Failure to answer all screening questions or provide required explanations for 'Yes' answers regarding criminal history.

Questions

Do I need a license to work as a pharmacy technician in Colorado? ▾
Yes. You must hold either a full Pharmacy Technician (PHAT) certification or a Provisional Pharmacy Technician (PHATP) certification from the Colorado Board of Pharmacy to practice.
How long is a provisional certification valid? ▾
A provisional certification (PHATP) is valid for 18 months and is intended to allow you to work while you complete the requirements for national certification.
What are the continuing education (CE) requirements? ▾
Colorado technicians must maintain their national certification (PTCB or NHA). You must complete the CE required by your certifying body (typically 20 hours every 2 years) to renew your state license.
Can I work while my application is pending? ▾
No. You cannot engage in pharmacy technician duties until your license has been officially issued and appears as 'Active' in the DORA database.
How often do I need to renew my Colorado license? ▾
Pharmacy technician certifications in Colorado typically expire on October 31 of odd-numbered years and must be renewed biennially.

Board Info

Colorado Board of Pharmacy
Phone(303) 894-7800
Sources
Last verified 2026-02-25