In California, you must have a license to be a pharmacy technician. If you’ve worked hard to obtain the skills to do the job, you are looking forward to your career. However, it is devastating to have your application for a license denied.
Unfortunately, it does happen. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s the end of your hopes and dreams. There are options for appealing the pharmacy board’s decision.
Why would a pharmacy technician’s license be denied?
There are numerous reasons that your application for a license may be denied, but some of the most common include:
- Failing to meet the certification requirements
- Factual errors on your application
- Omitting information from your application
- Failing to disclose a prior disciplinary action
- Failing to disclose a prior arrest
- A prior criminal conviction
- A history of substance abuse or addiction
Knowing the exact reason your application is denied helps you better prepare your appeal.
What do you do once you are denied?
You have 60 days to file a written appeal of your denial. If you fail to do so, you have to wait a year before you can apply for a license again.
Once you have submitted your appeal, you will then be able to attend a formal hearing in order to defend your application for a license. This hearing is much like a trial, in that you will be able to present evidence and — if appropriate — even call witnesses on your behalf. Unfortunately, you won’t receive a decision on your case the same day of the hearing. Instead, you will be sent the formal decision later, in writing.
It’s never required to have an attorney in order to present your appeal to the board. However, you should keep in mind that the board will have an attorney there to defend its position and the denial of your license. It’s wiser to have the same level of advocacy for your own position — especially given the importance of the outcome.