Can old criminal charges prevent someone from becoming a certified pharmacy technician?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand that dealing with a criminal background check can be stressful. Can you tell me what specific concerns you have regarding the charges on your background check?

Lexi, Chatbot

Have you already applied for a pharmacy technician position, or are you in the process of applying?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your criminal background check.

Brandon

Hi there, and welcome. My name is Brandon, and I'm an attorney. I'll be happy to help you out today. Please note that this discussion is for guidance only and does not constitute an Attorney-Client Relationship. My answers and comments should not be considered legal advice. Please also note that I am human, that I often need to research your answer to give you an accurate response, and that I work with other customers and get up from time to time. So please be patient while waiting for a response. Please feel free to reach out if more than 30 minutes have passed.

Brandon

First, there is the certification process itself. Many pharmacy technicians obtain certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both organizations conduct background checks as part of their credentialing process. They do not automatically deny someone because of a past conviction, especially when it is older. Instead, they typically review factors such as:

• The type of offense
• How long ago it happened
• Whether it involved drugs, fraud, or theft
• Evidence of rehabilitation or steady employment since then

Because your most recent charge was in 2007, that long period of time without new charges often works strongly in your favor.

Second, there is the state licensing or registration requirement. Many states require pharmacy technicians to register with the state board of pharmacy before working in a pharmacy. When the board reviews an application, they often look closely at charges that involve:

• Controlled substances
• Theft or fraud
• Diversion of medications
• Healthcare-related misconduct

Charges unrelated to those areas are often less concerning to the board, especially when they happened many years ago.

If you want to get ahead of this issue and avoid surprises later, here are a few steps that often help people in your situation:

• Pull a copy of your criminal record so you know exactly what appears on the background check. Sometimes old records show things that were dismissed or reduced.
• Review the eligibility rules for the certification organization you plan to use (PTCB or NHA). Both publish their criminal history policies online.
• Consider whether any of the charges might be eligible for expungement or sealing. Since your last charge was in 2007, you may qualify depending on the state and the type of offense.
• Prepare a short explanation statement. If a board asks about the charges, they usually want a clear explanation of what happened and what has changed since then.

Another important point is that certification organizations often have what is called a "pre-application review" or "disclosure review." That means you can sometimes ask them to evaluate your background before you finish the certification process. This can give you peace of mind about whether the charges will be a problem.

Because your charges are nearly two decades old, many boards will focus more on what you have done since then. Stable employment, education, and training in healthcare can all help demonstrate rehabilitation.