3.3 Pharmacy Interns, Technicians & Supervision Ratios

Pharmacy Interns, Pharmacy Technicians & Supervision Ratios

Quick Answer: Under Georgia Board Rule 480-15-.03, a pharmacist may supervise up to four registered pharmacy technicians: 1–2 techs need no certification; supervising three requires at least one certified tech; supervising four requires at least two certified techs. In addition, the pharmacist may simultaneously supervise one intern, one extern, and one observer. Interns need Board registration, 1,500 practice hours for licensure, and a five-year intern license.

Pharmacists cannot operate a busy pharmacy alone. They rely on pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians to prepare prescriptions, manage inventory, and handle administrative tasks. Because these individuals handle medications and sensitive patient data, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy strictly regulates their registration, duties, and the ratios at which they must be supervised.

1. Pharmacy Interns

A pharmacy intern is a student currently enrolled in an approved college of pharmacy, or a graduate completing required hours, who is registered with the Board. Interns are permitted to perform many of the duties of a pharmacist, but only under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Registration and License Expiration

Before accumulating any internship hours, a student must apply for and receive a pharmacy intern license from the Board.

• An intern license is valid for a maximum of five (5) years from the date of issuance.
• The license automatically expires if the intern is expelled, suspended, or dismissed from pharmacy school, or if they drop out.
• The license also expires once the intern becomes a licensed pharmacist.

Internship Hours Requirement

To qualify for a pharmacist license in Georgia, an intern must complete 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience.

• Most of these hours are typically obtained through the curriculum of an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school (e.g., through Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences - IPPEs and APPEs).
• Any hours obtained outside of the school curriculum must be worked in a licensed pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist to count toward the 1,500-hour requirement.

Permitted Duties

Under direct pharmacist supervision, interns can perform tasks that require professional judgment, such as:

• Receiving oral prescriptions from prescribers.
• Transferring prescriptions to and from other pharmacies.
• Providing patient counseling.
• The supervising pharmacist is ultimately responsible for all actions performed by the intern.

2. Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists with the technical and administrative aspects of dispensing medications. They do not possess the clinical training of a pharmacist or intern and cannot perform duties requiring professional judgment (e.g., they cannot provide patient counseling or accept oral prescriptions for controlled substances).

Registration Requirements

To work as a pharmacy technician in Georgia, an individual must be registered with the Board.

• Age: Must be at least 17 years of age.
• Education: Must be currently enrolled in high school, have a high school diploma, or have a GED.
• Background Check: Must submit to a criminal background check.
• If a technician's employment is terminated, the pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) must notify the Board within a specified timeframe (typically 10 days).

Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhT)

A registered technician can become "certified" by passing a national certification exam recognized by the Board, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Certified technicians are granted slightly more responsibility and are crucial for maximizing the pharmacist-to-technician ratio.

3. Supervision Ratios

To ensure patient safety, the Board limits how many registered pharmacy technicians a single pharmacist may directly supervise. "Direct supervision" means the pharmacist is physically present in the prescription department and capable of overseeing the activities of the personnel.

Rule 480-15-.03 Technician Ratios (Current)

The pharmacist-to-registered-pharmacy-technician ratio shall not exceed 1:4, and certification thresholds apply:

Certification means the technician has (i) passed a Board-approved certification program, (ii) passed an employer training/assessment program approved by the Board, or (iii) been certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The Board’s technician FAQ also recognizes NHA/ExCPT certification documentation for registration purposes.

Important: Count only technicians actively working in the prescription department at a given time, not total headcount on payroll.

Hospital Ratio Increases

The Board may consider and approve an application to increase the ratio in a licensed hospital pharmacy. The pharmacist-in-charge must apply in writing. Do not assume a community pharmacy can exceed 4:1.

Additional Personnel Allowances

In addition to up to four registered technicians, a supervising pharmacist may also simultaneously supervise:

• One (1) pharmacy intern
• One (1) pharmacy extern
• One (1) pharmacy observer (educational shadowing only; may not perform pharmacy duties)

Example: A community pharmacist may supervise four technicians (if at least two are certified) plus one intern, one extern, and one observer—provided all technician certification thresholds are met and the pharmacist provides direct supervision.

4. Name Tags

To ensure transparency for the public, all personnel working in the pharmacy must wear easily readable name tags. The name tag must clearly display the individual's name and their job title (e.g., "Pharmacist," "Pharmacy Intern," "Pharmacy Technician"). This prevents patients from mistaking a technician for a pharmacist when seeking clinical advice.