Unlicensed Personnel

PERMITTED ACTIVITIES FOR UNLICENSED PERSONS

Unlicensed individuals may assist with non-clinical, non-judgmental tasks under pharmacist supervision:
• Receive written or electronic prescriptions (pharmacist/intern must review electronic ones)
• Type labels and enter prescription data
• Retrieve and return drugs to stock
• Access prescription files and records
• Count and package dosage units
• Affix labels and prepare manual dispensing records
• Deliver completed prescriptions (with pharmacist counseling when required)

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES FOR UNLICENSED PERSONS

Unlicensed persons may not perform tasks requiring professional judgment or clinical decision-making:
• Receive oral prescriptions
• Interpret or evaluate prescriptions
• Determine therapeutic equivalency
• Measure, weigh, compound, or mix ingredients
• Sign or initial dispensing records
• Counsel patients
• Perform any function involving professional judgment
Note: Compounding includes any alteration of a drug (e.g., mixing, diluting, reconstituting) and is strictly prohibited for unlicensed individuals.

LIMITATIONS & OVERSIGHT

• A maximum of 4 unlicensed persons may assist per pharmacist (excluding non-dispensing staff)
• Pharmacist must review and approve all drug dispensing
• Governed by Rules of the Board of Regents, Part 29 on Unprofessional Conduct (Section 29.7 for pharmacy)

References


This material is protected by copyright - nyrxlaw - New York Pharmacy Law Resource and Study Guide


LAST UPDATED - MARCH 1, 2026

Q
Stacks Image 88
Unlicensed Personnel | nyrxlaw