BECOMING A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MAINE
A career as a pharmacy tech may be for you if you enjoy healthcare, are detail-oriented and want a career in which you can positively impact people’s lives. Pharmacy techs dispense prescriptions, manage inventory, prepare certain medications, and complete other administrative work to support pharmacists. Each state has its licensing requirements, and the following information will help you secure your license in Maine. [Leer en español]
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Pharmacy techs in Maine must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18 years old, and register with the Maine Board of Pharmacy before beginning work. After receiving your certification from the Board, you must report any changes in your workplace to the Board within 30 days of the change. The Maine Board of Pharmacy requires all applicants to undergo a criminal background check and pay a $41 application fee.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN SCHOOLS IN MAINE
| Programme | City | PTCB credential | ASHP accredited | Federal programme data | Programme hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York County Community College Pharmacy Technician Training | Wells | CPhT | No | Not listed under pharmacy technician (non-credit programmes are not covered by federal reporting) | Not published |
| Academy of Medical Professions – Brunswick | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Bangor Adult & Community Education | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Bonny Eagle Adult Education | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Boothbay Region Adult & Community Education | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Maine Medical Center – Acute Care Pharmacy Services – Pharmacy Tech Training Program | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Maine Medical Center CSPT Prep Course | Not published | CSPT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Massabesic Center for Adult Learning | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Mid-Coast School of Technology | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| RSU 1 Adult and Community Education – Wiscasset | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| RSU 25 Adult and Community Education – Bucksport | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| RSU 26 Adult and Community Education – Orono | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
| Sacopee Valley Adult Education | Not published | CPhT | No | Not matched to a federal institution record | Not published |
Pharmacy technician programs can be found at pharmacy technician schools and community colleges throughout Maine. Check that the program you select is approved by the state Board before enrolling to ensure that your studies will qualify you for licensing exams. Here are some pharmacy technician programs options in schools in Maine to consider for your education:
Southern Maine Community College
This online program confers a certificate of completion to its students. It prepares students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam by teaching fundamental skills in pharmacology, customer service, and workplace operations. Request enrollment information on the school website.
Academy of Medical Professionals
The Academy offers a 14-week, online program. Students have one full year to complete the program from their start date and work one-on-one with an instructor to receive personalized support. Request enrollment information on the school website.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
To work as a pharmacy technician in Maine, you must apply to the Maine state Board of Pharmacy and renew your license each year. Renewal is free if done on time; a $50 late fee applies otherwise.
You are not required to obtain national certification to work in Maine. However, receiving your national certification designates you as a Certified Pharmacy Tech, can qualify you for higher-paying jobs, and allows you to take on additional responsibilities in the workplace. Interested technicians must already have a high school diploma or GED, then register with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, and pay a fee of $129. You must then complete continuing education requirements and renew your certification every two years if you would like to maintain its active status.
CAREER OUTLOOK AND PHARMACY TECH SALARY EXPECTATIONS
Pharmacy technician employment in Maine is projected to grow 10% between 2024 and 2034, from about 2,330 jobs to 2,560 (Projections Central state projections). That is roughly 240 openings a year, a figure that counts people leaving the occupation as well as new posts, so it is the better guide to how often jobs come up.
Nationally the occupation is projected to grow 6.4% over the same period (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), so Maine is growing faster than the country as a whole.
The median pharmacy technician in Maine earns $45,400 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn between $38,620 and $48,870; the lowest tenth earn under $37,060 and the top tenth above $57,360. Maine employs about 2,070 pharmacy technicians.
What that is worth where you live. Prices in Maine run at 97.0% of the national average (2024, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities), so $45,400 here buys what $46,780 would buy in an average-cost part of the country. Measured that way Maine ranks 25 of 51 states for pharmacy technician pay, better than its headline wage suggests because living costs are below average.
WORKING AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN IN MAINE
Maine pharmacy technicians can find work in a range of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, chains, independent drugstores, clinics, and nursing homes, among others. Many of these facilities are open late and also on the weekends, so you should expect to work on nights and weekends as part of your normal schedule. You should also be prepared to stand for long periods and to move heavy boxes of inventory when requested. Jobs that pay the highest salaries are typically located in cities like Portland and Augusta, which have a correspondingly higher cost of living, though you should be able to find job opportunities anywhere in the state.
FAQS
What are the best pharmacy technician schools in Maine?
- Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA
- Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA
- Rasmussen College, Online
How do you become a Maine pharmacy technician?
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have a high school diploma or GED
- Disclose criminal convictions
- Obtain employment as a pharmacy tech
- Apply to the Maine Board of Pharmacy
- “Advanced Pharmacy Technicians” must have Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certification
How much do Maine pharmacy technicians make?
OUT-OF-STATE OPTIONS
Students may also wish to review their options in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.