Yes, it's pretty easy to obtain a WA state pharmacy assistant license. As a matter of fact, anyone above 18 yrs old can as long as you complete a 4hr HIV/AIDS course and submit the application (with an app fee).
There are two ways to get a WA Pharm Tech license - through an accreditted program or through working your way up in a retail chain from a pharm asst to a pharm tech. Speaking from experience, I will tell you of the best way to get it - fast, easy, and CHEAP. You won't have to spend time, energy, and money (anywhere between $3000-$10,000) going through an accredited pharmacy technician program at a vocational/technical college.
Create a catchy cover letter and resume. Go to several Walgreens close to where you live (dressed up nicely and presentable). Ask to speak to the Pharmacy manager and present your cover letter and resume to him or her. Let them know you're looking for a part time or full time position blah blah blah. Here's the thing...if they say there's no opening, there probably isn't at the moment BUT a week or two or more down the road, I guarantee you'll be getting a call from them (if your resume fits what they're looking for). If the manager isn't there, then leave it and I'm sure the manager will take a look and forward your resume to the district office where it will be dealt with appropriately. When I did this, each Walgreens said they didn't have openings but I received offers a couple of weeks later.
Unless you want to work in the hospital setting, this would be the best way for experience at a retail site. All job qualifications I've seen for hospital jobs have required graduation from an accredited PhT program. With Walgreens, you'll have to work X number of hours to qualify for Wa state license and then eventually Walgreens will offer their own course to assistants to help them pass the National Certification Exam [Walgreens requires all their techs to be nationally certified].
I believe Albertsons operates similarly to Walgreens but they've been having some sort of "financial" problems and as of June 2004 (things may have changed by now) they froze hiring techs. Other stores I'm not familiar with but you could do some research on that and let us know.
Hope this helps. If you have any questions, holler!
six7one