Comparing Pharmacist Requirements Almost all states require practicing pharmacists to be licensed and to register with the state, while the requirements for pharmacy technicians are not as strict or uniform.

a. There are more pharmacists than pharmacy technicians in most pharmacies, so many states choose not to regulate technicians.
b. In some states, being a technician does not require any technical knowledge, but pharmacists have the same requirements in all states.
c. A pharmacist has completed a higher level of education, and will take more responsibility on the job.
d. Licenses help the state keep track of pharmacists, who change jobs more often than pharmacy technicians