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Bill

HF 4966

Ratios of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Bahner and 2 co-sponsors

Allows a pharmacist to supervise up to four technicians (vs. three) if at least one is nationally certified, with rules to keep most functions at three-to-one.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Health Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 4966

Legislative Bill Summary – HF 4966 (2025-2026)

Title

Ratios of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists modified

Jurisdiction

Minnesota

Purpose and Intent

  • To modify the statutory framework governing how many pharmacy technicians may be supervised by a pharmacist in a pharmacy setting.
  • Repeals a prior statutory subdivision and replaces it with updated language establishing supervision rules and potential flexibility under certain conditions.

Key Provisions

  • General rule on supervision and technician support:

    • A pharmacy technician may assist a pharmacist by performing tasks that are not reserved to the licensed pharmacist or requiring the pharmacist’s professional judgment.
    • A pharmacist must supervise technicians personally and directly.
    • A pharmacist may supervise up to three technicians.

  • Exception to the technician-to-pharmacist ratio:

    • A pharmacy may exceed the three-to-one technician-to-pharmacist ratio by allowing a total of one additional technician (i.e., up to four technicians for a single pharmacist) at any given time.
    • This exception applies only if at least one technician in the pharmacy holds a valid certification from:
    • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or
    • Another nationally recognized certification body for pharmacy technicians that requires passage of a nationally recognized, psychometrically valid certification exam, as determined by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.
    • The Board of Pharmacy may establish rules to ensure that the ratios for the functions specified in rule do not exceed three technicians per pharmacist (i.e., the three-to-one ratio remains the default cap for most functions, with the potential single-exception allowance).

  • Board authority and rules:

    • The Board of Pharmacy may set ratios of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists through rulemaking, but is explicitly constrained not to set ratios greater than three-to-one for the specified functions in rule, except for the one-technical-exception allowance described above.

Repeal and Structural Changes

  • Subdivision 2 (Waivers) of Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 151.102 is repealed:
    • This section previously allowed pharmacists in charge to petition the Board for authorization to supervise more than three technicians, including a deemed-approval mechanism after 90 days if not denied.
    • The repeal removes the automatic or expedited waiver mechanism and replaces it with the certification-based exception described above.

Effective date

  • The bill text does not specify an effective date within the provided excerpt; typical implementation would align with the bill’s enactment and any subsequent rulemaking timeline by the Board of Pharmacy.

Who Is Affected

  • Pharmacists and pharmacies in Minnesota:

    • Impacts staffing configurations and supervision structures.
    • Potentially increases allowable technician staffing under certain certification conditions.

  • Pharmacy technicians:

    • Certification status becomes a factor in eligibility for the increased ratio allowance.
    • Encourages or rewards attainment of national certification.

  • Minnesota Board of Pharmacy:

    • Responsible for rulemaking to implement and enforce the new ratio framework and certification requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • First Reading:

    • Introduced and referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee (April 13, 2026).

  • Rulemaking:

    • Board of Pharmacy will need to promulgate rules to implement the ratio framework and certification requirements (implicit in the bill).

  • Repeal:

    • Subdivision 2 (waivers) is repealed, removing prior waiver-based pathways for exceeding the three-to-one ratio.

Practical Implications

  • Flexibility: The bill introduces a controlled flexibility to the standard three-to-one ratio, allowing one additional technician under specific certification conditions.
  • Quality and Safety: Maintaining direct supervision and requiring certified technicians under the exception aims to preserve patient safety and care standards.
  • Workforce Development: May incentivize technicians to obtain national certification to qualify for the higher staffing ratio.
  • Administrative: Pharmacies will need to track technician certifications and ensure staffing aligns with the statutory and regulatory requirements.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a particular audience (e.g., policymakers, pharmacists, or lay readers) or add a concise comparison with the current law as it stands today.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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