What You Need to Do to Reinstate in Maryland
To reinstate a pharmacy technician license in Maryland, you must submit a reinstatement request to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any continuing education requirements that accrued while your license was inactive. The Board does not automatically reinstate lapsed licenses — you initiate the process yourself by contacting the Board directly or through their online licensing portal.
The timeline depends on whether your license lapsed recently or years ago. If you let it lapse within the last few years, reinstatement is usually straightforward. If more than five years have passed, the Board may require additional documentation or verification that you have kept current with pharmacy practice standards.
Maryland's Board of Pharmacy is part of the Maryland Department of Health's Health Occupations division. You can reach them by phone at 410-402-8585 or visit their website to read forms and check current fees, which change periodically.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Maryland Board of Pharmacy directly — they do not send notices to reinstate, and you must request it yourself.
- You will owe the reinstatement fee plus any continuing education hours that were required during the years your license was inactive.
- If your license lapsed more than five years ago, the Board may ask for proof that you understand current pharmacy practice or may require you to pass a practical exam.
- The reinstatement process typically takes two to four weeks once the Board receives your complete request and payment.
Reinstatement Fee and Payment
Maryland charges a reinstatement fee separate from the standard renewal fee. The exact amount varies and changes with each fiscal year, so you must confirm the current fee by calling the Board or checking their website before you submit your request. As of recent years, reinstatement fees have ranged from $100 to $200, but do not assume this figure — contact the Board to get the exact amount you owe.
Payment is typically made by check or money order payable to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy, mailed with your reinstatement request. Some states now accept credit card or online payment through their licensing portal; ask the Board whether Maryland offers this option when you call.
Continuing Education Requirements During Lapse
Maryland requires pharmacy technicians to complete continuing education hours as part of their license renewal cycle. If your license was inactive, you still owe those hours. The Board calculates how many hours you missed based on the length of time your license was lapsed and the renewal cycle in effect during that period.
For example, if your license lapsed for two years and the renewal cycle requires 20 hours per year, you may owe 40 hours of continuing education before reinstatement. You must complete these hours through Board-approved providers and submit proof of completion with your reinstatement request. The Board's website lists approved continuing education providers and the types of courses that count toward this requirement.
Some pharmacy technicians complete their continuing education before submitting the reinstatement request; others submit the request first and complete the hours afterward, depending on the Board's instructions. Ask when you call whether you should complete the hours before or after submitting your reinstatement paperwork.
Documents and Information the Board Will Ask For
When you contact the Board to reinstate, have the following information ready: your full name, date of birth, your original pharmacy technician license number, the date your license lapsed, and your current mailing address. The Board will use this to locate your file and verify your history.
You will also need to provide proof of any continuing education hours you have completed. This usually means submitting certificates or transcripts from the course provider showing the course title, date completed, number of hours, and the provider's name and approval number. Keep these documents organized and in order before you mail them or upload them to the Board's portal.
If your license lapsed more than five years ago, the Board may request additional documentation such as a statement explaining the reason for the lapse, proof of current employment or volunteer work in pharmacy, or a letter from a pharmacist confirming that you are familiar with current practice standards. The Board will tell you what they need when you first contact them.
Lapse of More Than Five Years: Additional Steps
Maryland treats reinstatement differently depending on how long your license has been inactive. If five or more years have passed, the Board may require you to demonstrate that you understand current pharmacy practice, pharmacy law, and changes that have occurred in the field during your absence.
This can mean submitting a detailed statement about your pharmacy knowledge, providing references from pharmacists who can vouch for your competency, or in some cases taking a practical examination or a written test covering pharmacy law and practice standards. The Board will specify what they require based on your individual situation when you submit your reinstatement request.
Do not assume you can straightforward pay the fee and reactivate. Contact the Board early if your lapse is lengthy, so you have time to gather any additional materials they may ask for and to plan for any testing or verification steps.
How to Submit Your Reinstatement Request
The Maryland Board of Pharmacy accepts reinstatement requests by mail or through their online licensing portal. To use the online portal, you will need to create or log into an account on the Board's website. The portal allows you to upload documents, pay fees, and track the status of your request in real time.
If you prefer to mail your request, send it to the Maryland Board of Pharmacy at the address listed on their website. Include your completed reinstatement form (available on the Board's website), the reinstatement fee, proof of continuing education hours, and any other documents the Board has requested. Keep a copy of everything you send and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
After you submit, the Board will review your request and contact you if they need additional information. This review typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, the Board will issue you a new license number or reactivate your existing one, depending on Maryland's current procedures.
Timeline and What Happens After Approval
From the moment you submit a complete reinstatement request with all required documents and fees, expect the Board to process it within two to four weeks. If your request is incomplete, the Board will contact you and the timeline will extend until you provide what they need.
Once your reinstatement is approved, the Board will send you written confirmation and your new or reactivated license. You can then work as a pharmacy technician in Maryland again. Some employers require you to show the physical license or provide proof of reinstatement before you start work, so keep your confirmation letter and license in a safe place.
Your reinstatement will place you back on the standard renewal cycle. This means your next renewal will be due on the regular renewal date for pharmacy technicians in Maryland, not one year from your reinstatement date. The Board will notify you when that renewal is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a pharmacy technician while my reinstatement request is being reviewed?
No. Your license is inactive until the Board approves your reinstatement request and issues you a new or reactivated license. Working without an active license is illegal and can result in penalties. Wait for written approval from the Board before you begin work.
What if I cannot find my original license number?
Call the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and provide your full name and date of birth. They can look up your license number in their records. You do not need the physical license or the number to start the reinstatement process, but having it speeds things up.
Do I have to retake the pharmacy technician exam to reinstate?
Not automatically. If your lapse is recent and your continuing education is current, reinstatement is usually administrative. If your lapse is more than five years, the Board may require an exam, a written test, or other verification of competency. They will tell you what is required when you contact them.
What if I completed continuing education while my license was lapsed but did not submit it?
You can still count those hours toward reinstatement if you have proof of completion from an approved provider. Gather your certificates and include them with your reinstatement request. The Board will verify that the courses were Board-approved and that the hours count toward your requirement.
How much does reinstatement cost in total?
The reinstatement fee itself varies by year, typically $100 to $200. You may also owe continuing education hours, which you must pay for through the course provider — those costs vary depending on the provider and the number of hours you need. Contact the Board for the exact reinstatement fee and ask about the cost of continuing education providers they recommend.