(1) An applicant for a pharmacy technician certification shall be eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED.

(2) To be issued a certification as a pharmacy technician an applicant shall meet the qualifications in RCW 18.64A.020, and:

(a) Provide proof of completion of eight hours of guided study of Washington state and federal pharmacy law. The law study shall be done in coordination and oversight of a Washington licensed pharmacist.

(b) Provide proof of four hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8, the applicant is exempt if they have completed a commission-approved training program whose program materials on file with the commission office document four hours of AIDS education.

(c) Provide proof of successful completion of a commission-approved pharmacy-technician training program WAC 246-945-215. Acceptable documentation includes:

(i) On-the-job training program. Successful completion of didactic and practice experience signed by the program director on a form provided by the commission; or

(ii) Formal academic or college programs. Official transcripts of completion of a diploma or certificate program at a pharmacy technician school or a two-year associate degree program, which shall include evidence of practice training hours; or

(iii) Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD214 documenting evidence of pharmacy technician training provided by a branch of the federal armed services.

(d) Pass a national certification examination approved by the commission within one year of completing a commission-approved training program and applying for certification, unless otherwise authorized by the commission.

(3) An applicant who is a graduate of a foreign school, university or college of pharmacy or medicine, whose professional degree program is approved by the commission shall complete the following:

(a) If English is not the primary language, the applicant shall take and pass TOEFL iBT;

(b) Complete five hundred twenty hours of supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist with training hours reported using forms provided by the commission; and

(c) Pass a national certification examination approved by the commission.

(4) An out-of-state pharmacy technician applicant must meet the same requirements as a pharmacy technician trained in Washington state.