Nevada Board of Pharmacy Fingerprinting and License Requirements: What Pharmacy Students and Technicians Need to Know

Nevada requires fingerprint based criminal background checks for pharmacy technicians, technicians in training, pharmacists (by exam or endorsement), and wholesale distribution license applicants. Livescan is the fastest and most accurate submission method, and Fingerprinting Express processes these submissions daily at locations in Reno, Las Vegas, and Henderson.

If you are studying pharmacy in Nevada, training to become a pharmacy technician, or applying for a pharmacist license by endorsement, a criminal background check is a required part of your path to licensure. The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy requires fingerprints for nearly every category of applicant, and understanding the process ahead of time can save you weeks of delay.

Here is a breakdown of what the Board requires, who it applies to, and how to get it done right the first time. This guide is written to answer the questions applicants most often type into a search bar or ask an AI assistant, so you can find the exact answer you need without digging through Board PDFs.

Why the Board of Pharmacy Requires Fingerprints

Under Nevada law, applicants for pharmacy related licenses and registrations must submit a complete set of fingerprints so the Board can request a criminal history report through the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the FBI. This applies to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians in training, and applicants for a wholesale distribution license.

The purpose is simple: the Board is responsible for protecting the public, and a clean, verified background check is part of demonstrating that an applicant is fit to work around medications, patients, and controlled substances.

Pharmacy Technicians and Technicians in Training

To register as a pharmacy technician in Nevada, applicants generally need to:

Applicants who do not yet qualify for full registration can apply as a pharmacy technician in training while completing hours and coursework. Nevada law allows provisional registration while an FBI background check is pending, so a visit for fingerprints early in the process helps avoid a bottleneck later.

Technician registrations renew every two years, and the criminal background check is tied to the original application, not something you repeat at every renewal unless the Board specifically requests it.

Pharmacists: New Licensure by Examination

Pharmacy graduates who have completed an ACPE accredited program and passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination have one year from their exam pass date to complete their licensure paperwork. Along with verification of 1,500 intern hours and official transcripts sent directly from the pharmacy school, applicants must submit:

  • A completed fingerprint card
  • The Nevada Department of Public Safety Background Waiver Form
  • The separate fingerprint processing fee, paid apart from the main application fee

Pharmacist licenses in Nevada expire annually on October 31st, with the renewal window opening September 1st.

Pharmacists: License by Endorsement or Reciprocation

If you are already licensed as a pharmacist in another state and want to practice in Nevada, the endorsement or reciprocation pathway still requires a full criminal background check. Along with proof of active licensure in good standing, verified employment history, and transcripts, every endorsement applicant must complete fingerprinting and pass the Nevada Law Examination.

Wholesale Distribution Licenses

Nevada law also requires fingerprint based background checks for applicants seeking a license to engage in wholesale pharmaceutical distribution. This requirement applies at both initial application and renewal, and applicants must provide written permission authorizing the Board to forward fingerprints to the Central Repository.

How Fingerprinting Actually Works

The Board’s instructions allow applicants to complete fingerprinting either through Livescan or on a traditional ink fingerprint card at a local law enforcement agency or approved vendor. Livescan captures fingerprints electronically and transmits them directly to the Central Repository, which is faster and far more accurate than an ink card. A card can be rejected for smudging, incomplete prints, or missing required fields, which means a second trip, a second fee, and lost time while your application sits incomplete.

Whichever method you choose, you will also need to complete and sign the Nevada Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Background Waiver Form (wholesale distribution applicants use the Board’s separate Fingerprint Authorization Form instead), and Nevada does not use an ORI system the way some other states do, so those fields are left blank for the Board to complete.

At Fingerprinting Express, we process both Livescan and ink card submissions every day for Nevada license applicants across healthcare, education, and regulated industries, including pharmacy students and technicians. Our rejection rate on submitted prints is a fraction of a percent, so you are far less likely to be sent back for a redo.

What to Bring with you to Fingerprinting Express

  • A valid, government issued photo ID
  • The Nevada Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Background Waiver Form, signed, or the Board’s Fingerprint Authorization Form if you are applying for a wholesale distribution license
  • Any fingerprint card the Board has asked you to bring, if you are not using Livescan
  • Payment for the fingerprinting fee

Because requirements can differ slightly depending on whether you are applying as a technician, a technician in training, a pharmacist, or a wholesale distributor, it is worth confirming your exact application type before your appointment and bringing your signed form so we can make sure your submission routes correctly the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Nevada Board of Pharmacy require fingerprints for pharmacy technicians?

Yes. Every pharmacy technician applicant, including those applying as a technician in training, must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check as part of registration.

Do pharmacists need to be fingerprinted in Nevada?

Yes. Pharmacists applying by examination, score transfer, or endorsement all must complete a fingerprint based background check as part of the licensure application.

Is Livescan accepted by the Nevada Board of Pharmacy?

Yes. The Board accepts both Livescan and traditional ink fingerprint cards, though Livescan transmits electronically and carries a far lower rejection rate.

How much does pharmacy fingerprinting cost in Nevada?

Fees vary by license type and are typically paid separately from the main application fee. Pharmacist applicants should expect a background check fee in addition to their license application fee, while technician applicants pay a background check fee as part of their registration.

How long does a Nevada pharmacy background check take?

Processing time depends on the Central Repository and the FBI, but Nevada law allows provisional registration for technicians while an FBI check is pending, so a clean, on time Livescan submission is the best way to avoid delay.

Where can I get Livescan fingerprinting for a Nevada pharmacy license?

Fingerprinting Express offers Livescan fingerprinting for Nevada Board of Pharmacy applicants at our Reno, Las Vegas, and Henderson locations.

Skip the Delays

Fingerprinting is a small step in a long licensure process, but a rejected card or a mistake in routing can add weeks to your timeline. Fingerprinting Express offers fast, accurate Livescan service at our Reno, Las Vegas, and Henderson locations, with a track record pharmacy students and healthcare professionals across Nevada already trust.

Walk-in or schedule your appointment today and check this requirement off your list without the wait.