How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas

Who can apply

• Have a high school diploma or GED, or be working toward one.
• Trainees must never have held a TSBP technician or trainee registration and must not already hold PTCB or ExCPT certification.
• Every applicant must be fingerprinted for a criminal history check.
• Provide a photo ID and Social Security card with the application.

Step by step

1. Apply online for an 'Initial Technician Trainee' registration in the TSBP Online Licensing System and pay the fee.
2. Complete the fingerprint session using the instructions TSBP emails you after you apply.
3. Wait until your registration shows ACTIVE before you work (processing takes at least eight weeks).
4. Work in a pharmacy and complete a Board-approved technician training program.
5. Pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) national certification exam before your trainee registration expires.
6. Log in and select 'Upgrade Technician trainee to Technician', pay the fee and upload proof of certification.
7. Renew your technician registration every two years and complete continuing education.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Trainees must complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program while working in a pharmacy. The Board sets the program's required hours; ask your program or the Board.

Exam: To become a registered technician you must hold current national certification from PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT); Texas recognizes only these two. Trainees must earn it within the 2-year trainee period. No separate state exam.

What it costs in Texas

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

How long it takes

The Board of Pharmacy says applications take at least eight weeks to process, longer if criminal history is involved, and staff cannot expedite them.

What other sites get wrong about Texas

Once you're registered

Renewal: Registered technicians renew every two years. For regular renewals they need at least 20 hours of approved CE, including 1 hour of Texas pharmacy law and one Texas HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course. On the first (initial) renewal technicians are exempt from most CE but must still complete one HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course. CE must show in CE Broker before you renew.

Good to know in Texas

Trainee registration: A trainee registration lasts up to 2 years, is issued only once, and cannot be renewed or extended. If it expires you must first get PTCB or ExCPT certification before you can register again.

No work before ACTIVE: You may not work as a technician or trainee until your registration number shows ACTIVE status. Processing takes at least eight weeks and cannot be expedited.

Late renewal penalty: A technician renewing late pays a $40 delinquent penalty at 1 day late and another $40 at 90 days late, on top of the $85 renewal fee.

First renewal CE: Technicians are exempt from most CE at their first renewal, but must still complete at least one Texas HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course.

Renewal cost: Renewing a technician registration costs $85 every two years (TSBP fee schedule). Trainee registrations cannot be renewed.

Already certified?: If you already hold a current PTCB or ExCPT certification and have never been registered in Texas, you can skip the trainee step and apply directly for an 'Initial Technician' registration ($88) in the TSBP Online Licensing System.

Sources

• TSBP - Pharmacy Technicians
• TSBP - Technician and Trainee applications
• TSBP fee schedule (PDF)
• TSBP - Technician CE FAQ
• TSBP - Information for technician instructors
• PTCB - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and PTCE fee