Preparing for Pharmacy Technician Registration: FAQ Sheet

In an effort to facilitate a smooth implementation process, HPhA has been diligent in attending Board of Pharmacy meetings and facilitating conversations with stakeholders in order to provide a detailed FAQ sheet for our members. It should be noted that this FAQ document does not supersede information provided by the Department of Commerce and Consumers Affairs. As HPhA gathers more information, updated resources will be provided on our website: www.hipharm.org 

What is Hawai’i Act 93?

1. Act 93 is the law passed by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and signed by Governor Josh Green that amends Chapter 461 (Pharmacists and Pharmacy) in 2025. It established a requirement for pharmacy technicians to obtain a certificate of registration issued by the Hawai’i Board of Pharmacy before acting as a “registered pharmacy technician”.

2. Information about registration can be found here or on the DCCA PVL website: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/files/2025/11/20251110_MEMO_Act-93_Pharmacy-Technician-Registration_final.pdf 

1. Hawai’i is the only state to not have a pharmacy technician registry. The creation of this registry is to create a baseline list of how many pharmacy technicians we have in our state. In the future, HPhA’s hope is that this will be an avenue for pharmacy-related information to be disseminated to the appropriate people. Ultimately, it is also to reinforce public trust and support a more standardized and accountable practice environment for our community.

1. Beginning January 1, 2026, no person shall act as a pharmacy technician in Hawaiʻi without first obtaining a valid certificate of registration issued by the Hawai’i Board of Pharmacy.

1. This applies to any person working as a pharmacy technician (i.e., performing non-discretionary tasks, filling/packaging/manipulative/repetitive tasks) under the supervision of a pharmacist.

2. The law distinguishes among:

1. Registered pharmacy technician: A person, other than pharmacy interns or “auxiliary pharmacy personnel”, who holds a certificate of registration and can perform the tasks defined under the statute. 

2. Auxiliary pharmacy personnel: A person who works in a pharmacy assisting a pharmacist or technician and performs retrieval, clerical, inventory control, custodial tasks, etc.—but not the “fill/pack/manipulate” tasks reserved for technicians.

3. The registration requirements of pharmacy interns and pharmacists remain unchanged.

1. Information has already been posted on the DCCA PVL website here: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/pharmacy

1. Until December 2025, PVL DCCA will accept paper-copy registration forms at the DCCA office. Starting December 2025, technicians will also be able to register and submit payment online via the Ho’ala System (MyPVL).  Applications will only be accepted via hard copy: Either in-person at the PVL window or by mail (Updated 11-28-2025).

1. Yes. However, to ensure timely processing please submit a separate check for each application (do not use a bulk check). Attach each check to its corresponding application with a paper clip (do not staple check to application)

2. For Pharmacy Technician Registration and Vaccine Administration applications, place them in an envelope labeled “Attention: PVL Licensing Branch Manager.”

1. Yes. You may submit both applications together. However, the Pharmacy Technician Registration must be approved before the Vaccine Administration application can be processed.

1. Pharmacy Technician Registration: $130 in even-numbered years; $80 in odd-numbered years for biennial registration fees

2. Vaccine Administration Application: $10

3. Methods of payment:

1. Registration shall be renewed biennially on or before December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Failure to renew this registration constitutes a forfeiture of the registration as of the date of expiration.

1. There is no “deadline” or “grace period”; pharmacy technicians will not be able to work in their capacity as a technician without an active registration with the BOP.

1. The supervising registered pharmacist must supervise and have oversight of the registered pharmacy technician when the technician performs the defined tasks.

2. If a registered pharmacy technician is suspected to have violated any law or rule regarding the practice of pharmacy, legend drugs or controlled substances (or there is evidence they may have), the pharmacist-in-charge must notify the board in writing within ten days or immediately if a danger to public health or safety exists.

1. Once you are approved as a Registered Pharmacy Technician, you will receive a Notice of Registration by email or mail. This notice includes your name, registration number, and the effective and expiration dates. It serves as confirmation that you are registered in Hawaii.

2. If an applicant submits their application having entered an email on the form, they will be able to receive their notice of registration at that email address. Otherwise, their registration will be mailed to their address on file.

1. Act 93 requires that the certificate of registration shall be prominently displayed in an area accessible to the public in the workplace where the registered pharmacy technician is employed or practices. At this time there is no additional information about how the certificates should be displayed outside of this language.

2. Note that the technician registration will list the technician’s home address. Please have your technician consider redacting their home address before publicly displaying their registration.

1. For pharmacy technicians working in non-public facing sections of pharmacies, the law is silent on this specifically, therefore DCCA BOP has recommended the explicit language of the Act be followed.

1. Technicians are required to be at least 18 years of age, and a U.S. citizen, national or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. The DCCA PVL BOP will require that the applicant attest that their license/registration/certification has not been suspended/revoked/otherwise subject to disciplinary action.

2. Act 93 does not require that pharmacy technicians be certified through a licensing board for certification.

1. Per HRS Chapter 461-21, violation of this requirement may result in a fine or other disciplinary action by the Board of Pharmacy.

1. To ensure timely processing of your application: 

1. Check the PVL website for the most current version of the forms before submitting, as they may change.

2. Carefully read the instructions and fully complete the form. 

3. Include the correct fee for each application. 

4. Submit one check per application (use a paper clip to attach the check, not a staple). 

5. Ensure all information is correct. Missing or incorrect information, or incorrect fees, will delay the process.

1. For questions or concerns, please contact the Hawai’i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing Division: