What's happening
This bill allows registered pharmacy technicians in New York to administer immunizations under a pharmacist's supervision after meeting specific training and certification requirements.
Why it matters
Expands immunization access and efficiency. By allowing trained pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines, the bill can help alleviate pharmacist workloads and potentially reduce wait times for patients seeking immunizations, especially during periods of high demand like flu season or public health emergencies.
Sets clear training and safety standards. The law requires pharmacy technicians to complete certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support, and mandates they obtain a state-issued immunization certificate, aiming to ensure that only qualified individuals provide this care.
Maintains pharmacist oversight. Immunizations by technicians must occur under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, who must be present or immediately available, helping to safeguard patient safety while expanding the role of pharmacy technicians.
Could improve public health outcomes. By increasing the number of qualified immunizers in community settings, this legislation may boost vaccination rates, particularly in underserved or rural areas where access to healthcare providers is limited.
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Headline styles
Let Pharmacy Techs Give Shots
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Advanced to third reading
- Amended 7025b
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.314
- Referred to higher education
- Committed to rules
- Amended on third reading 7025a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.907
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Pharmacy Techs Give Shots
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7025--B Cal. No. 314
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 28, 2025
Introduced by Sens. COONEY, ADDABBO, BORRELLO, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, HINCHEY, JACKSON, MAY, ROLISON, C. RYAN, SALAZAR, SKOUFIS, WEBB, WEIK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- reported… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. COONEY, ADDABBO, BORRELLO, FERNANDEZ, GALLIVAN, HINCHEY, JACKSON, MAY, ROLISON, C. RYAN, SALAZAR, SKOUFIS, WEBB, WEIK -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- recommitted to the Committee on Higher Education in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, amended on second report, ordered to a third reading, and to be reprinted as amended, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to registered pharmacy technicians
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 6841 of the education law, as amended by chapter 543 of the laws of 2025, is amended to read as follows:
1. A registered pharmacy technician may, under the direct [personal] supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assist such licensed pharmacist, as directed, in compounding, preparing, labeling, or dispensing of drugs used to fill valid prescriptions or medication orders or in compounding, preparing, and labeling in anticipation of a valid prescription or medication order for a patient to be served by the pharmacy, in accordance with article one hundred thirty-seven of this title where such tasks require no professional judgment. Such professional judgment shall only be exercised by a licensed pharmacist. A registered pharmacy technician may only practice under the direct [personal] supervision of a licensed pharmacist employed in such a pharmacy. A registered pharmacy technician may administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists are authorized to administer under the direct supervision of a licensed
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09213-04-6
pharmacist consistent with the training and other requirements in article one hundred thirty-seven of this title as determined by the department. Training shall include certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or basic life support. A registered pharmacy technician shall obtain an immunization certificate from the department after demonstrating that they have met all requirements and prior to administering immunizations. Such pharmacy shall be responsible for ensuring that the registered pharmacy technician has received appropriate training to ensure competence before beginning to assist a licensed pharmacist in compounding, preparing, labeling, administering immunizations, or dispensing of drugs, in accordance with this article and article one hundred thirty-seven of this title. For the purposes of this article, direct [personal] supervision means supervision of procedures based on instructions given directly by a supervising licensed pharmacist who remains in the immediate area where the procedures are being performed or is immediately available at the same location where an immunization is being administered, authorizes the procedures and evaluates the procedures performed by the registered pharmacy technicians and a supervising licensed pharmacist shall approve all work performed by the registered pharmacy technician prior to the actual dispensing of any drug.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to registered pharmacy technicians
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 authorizes pharmacy technicians to compound, prepare, label, and dispense prescriptions and administer vaccinations in any pharmacy under direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Direct supervision shall mean that the licensed pharmacist shall be immediately available.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Pharmacy technicians are essential to the effective and safe adminis- tration of pharmacies throughout the state. They are trained to safely and competently perform a number of tasks in the retail pharmacy setting. Currently, pharmacy technicians can only compound, prepare, label, and dispense prescriptions at certain facilities, such as hospi- tals. Also, pharmacy technicians are able to administer immunizations pursuant to federal law (PREP Act), but this authorization expires at the end of the year.
This bill authorizes pharmacy technicians to compound, prepare, label, and dispense drugs as well as administer immunizations in a pharmacy setting. This authorization will provide more flexibility to the pharma- cists, ultimately improving the customer experience.
Prior legislative history
2023-24: S8545
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.