Board proposes significant fee increases for pharmacist and pharmacy technician licenses

During a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, significant discussions centered around proposed fee increases for licensing and registration within the Oregon health professions. These recommendations aim to bolster state revenues and address operational needs within the licensing board.

The first major proposal, Package 1-01, suggests a 40% increase in licensing registration fees, which is expected to generate approximately $3.5 million in revenue for the 2025-2027 biennium. This increase would affect various license types, with the most notable changes being for pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians. Specifically, the cost of a two-year pharmacist license would rise from $250 to $350, while the fee for a two-year certified pharmacy technician license would increase from $100 to $140. Additionally, fees for non-prescription drug outlet registrations would see an increase from $75 to $105. It is important to note that the last fee adjustment for most license types occurred in 2019.

Further discussions included Package 1-02, which proposes an increase in other funds expenditure limitations by $1.5 million. This adjustment is crucial as the board's current licensing system is set to become unsupported after 2026, necessitating a procurement process for a new system to ensure continued operations.

Package 1-03 addresses the ongoing costs of the health professional services program, which facilitates drug testing monitoring for licensees under disciplinary orders. This package includes an allocation of $126,441 to cover increased costs resulting from the planned departure of other health licensing boards from the program.

Lastly, Package 1-04 proposes a budget of $38,169 to reclassify the agency's licensing and permitting manager position, reflecting the need for updated roles within the agency.

In summary, the discussions during this meeting highlight the Oregon health licensing board's efforts to adapt to financial and operational challenges. The proposed fee increases and budget adjustments are aimed at ensuring the sustainability of health professional licensing in the state, with further steps anticipated as the board navigates these changes.