(a) The board may issue a pharmacy technician license to an individual if the applicant is a high school graduate or possesses a general educational development certificate equivalent, and meets any one of the following requirements:
(1) Has obtained an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology.
(2) Has completed a course of training specified by the board.
(3) Has graduated from a school of pharmacy recognized by the board.
(4) Is certified by a pharmacy technician certifying organization offering a pharmacy technician certification program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies that is approved by the board.
(b) The board shall adopt regulations pursuant to this section for the licensure of pharmacy technicians and for the specification of training courses as set out in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). Proof of the qualifications of any applicant for licensure as a pharmacy technician shall be made to the satisfaction of the board and shall be substantiated by any evidence required by the board.
(c) The board shall conduct a criminal background check of the applicant to determine if an applicant has committed acts that would constitute grounds for denial of licensure, pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) of Division 1.5.
(d) The board shall not renew a pharmacy technician license unless the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has successfully completed at least one hour of participation in a cultural competency course, as defined in Section 4231, during the two years preceding the application for renewal.
(e) The board may suspend or revoke a license issued pursuant to this section on any ground specified in Section 4301.
(f) Once an individual is licensed as a pharmacist, the pharmacy technician registration is no longer valid and the pharmacy technician license shall be returned to the board within 15 days.
(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
(Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 958, Sec. 2. (AB 2194) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, by its own provisions.)