Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Texas
If you’re someone who has a strong desire to help others and strong attention to details, a career as a pharmacy technician may be perfect for you. Pharmacy techs across the country are in high demand, especially in the great state of Texas. In fact, Texas employs the largest number of pharmacy technicians in the US, largely in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Learn all you need about pharmacy technician requirements in Texas below.
The state of Texas requires registration to work as a pharmacy technician with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). You may 
register as a pharmacy technician or a pharmacy technician trainee. You cannot work at a Texas pharmacy without having an active registration with the Board.
Make sure that you meet the pharmacy technician requirements in Texas as described below and especially consider the difference in applying for as a technician or technician trainee. Fortunately, it is fairly straight forward to understand the rules, and it doesn’t take long to be to become a pharmacy technician.
Basic Pharmacy Tech Requirements in Texas
The following are the minimum requirements to register as a pharmacy technician trainee:
- Must have a high school diploma or
- an equivalent H.S. diploma, such as a GED, or
- in the process of earning a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g. GED) within 2 years
Pharmacy tech trainees cannot have earned their PTCB or ExCPT certification. Also, you cannot have been registered with the TSBP previously as a technician.
The following are the minimum requirements to register as a pharmacy technician:
- Must have a high school diploma or
- an equivalent H.S. diploma, such as a GED, or
- in the process of earning a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g. GED) within 2 years and
- must have passed a Board-approved pharmacy technician certification exam
Currently the TSBP accepts either the PTCB or ExCPT certification.
To register with the state as a trainee or technician, you must fully complete and submit an online pharmacy technician registration application using the state’s Online Licensing System.
The registration fee for trainees is $55. Trainees may only registration one time only and it cannot be renewed.
The required registration fee for pharmacy technicians is $84. Registration renewal is required every two years with a fee of $81.
Training Requirements
Pharmacy technicians and trainees are required to complete initial training as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code.
If you choose to attend a formal training program, be sure to select one that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs that are accredited by the ASHP have shown that they meet the recommended requirements to help enable you to pass one of the national exams.
Continuing education (CE) of at least 20 hours over a two-year period is required by all pharmacy technicians. If you do not maintain current of PTCB certification, you must maintain records of taking CE.
Certification Requirements
As a part of registration, the state of Texas requires pharmacy technicians to be certified by the PTCB passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or by NHA, passing the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Please consult the Texas Administrative Code for more information regarding certification requirements for pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Tech Training in Texas
Below lists schools and programs available for pharmacy technician training:
Altierus Career College
Altierus Career College has a flexible Pharmacy Technician Program in Houston, Texas. The program consists of a mix on online and in-person learning. One day per week is scheduled to be on campus while the remainder of the week is at your own pace on your personal schedule.
You’ll complete the program in 8 months and be ready to take either the PTCB or ExCPT exam and pass it. The program also includes a 200-hour externship.
Altierus’ pharmacy tech program is accredited by the ASHP.
Location:
9700 Bissonnet St., Suite 1400
Houston, TX 77036
Phone: 713-772-4200
Amarillo College
Amarillo College located in the panhandle of Texas offers a Pharmacy Technician Training Program. Their program is accredited by the ASHP and can be completed in a year.
Location:
6222 SW 9th Ave.
Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 806-356-3655
Weatherford College
Weatherford College has a Pharmacy Technician Program has campuses located in Weatherford and Bridgeport. After successful completion of the program you’ll be ready to take the PTCB exam to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Locations:
Weatherford Campus
225 College Park Drive
Weatherford, TX 76086
Phone: 817-594-5471
Wise County Campus
5180 Hwy 380
Bridgeport, TX 76426
Phone: 940-627-2690
Texas State University
Texas State University offers a 100% online Pharmacy Technician program through heir Continuing Education department that can be completed within one year.
Completing the program prepares students to take and pass the PTCB exam and the school will assist with obtaining and completing an externship with a national drugstore chain.
The program has open enrollment and is self-paced. This means you can start at anytime and complete the course at your pace determined by your schedule.
Location:
302 ASB-North
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
Phone: 512-245-2507
Cisco College
Cisco College has a Pharmacy Technology program at their Abilene campus location.
You can choose between either the 1 semester, entry-level certificate program to earn the Pharmacy Technician Level I Certificate or the 2 semester, advanced level certificate program for pharmacy technicians and earn the Pharmacy Technician Level II Certificate. Their program is accredited by the ASHP
Location:
717 E. Industrial Blvd
Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: 325-794-4400
Rio Grande Valley College
The School of Allied Health at Rio Grande Valley College has a 7-month Pharmacy Technician program that is accredited by the ASHP.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate of completion for Pharmacy Technician and be well prepared to take one of the national certification exams.
Location:
5419 N. Cage Blvd.
Pharr, TX 78577
Phone: 956-781-6800
Trinity Valley Community College
Trinity Valley Community College, located in Athens and Terrell, offers to different programs for prospective pharmacy technicians. The Pharmacy Technician Certificate is a two semester program leading which students can earn a level one certificate and gain advanced level skills.
In addition, you can enroll in the Pharmacy Technician AAS Degree, which last 2 years and consisting of 60 credit hours.
Both programs a Trinity are accredited by the ASHP.
Locations:
1200 E. I-20
Terrell, TX 75160
Phone: 972-563-9573
100 Cardinal Drive
Athens, Tx 75751
Phone: 903-675-6200
Vernon College
Vernon College has a Pharmacy Technician program accredited by the ASHP and consists of 30 semester-credit hours.
After completing the program, graduates will be well prepared to take either the ExCPT or PTCB exam and start their career.
Location:
4105 Maplewood
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
Phone: 940-696-8752
If you’re considering another state close to Texas to become a pharmacy tech, check out the links below:
When you become a pharmacy technician, you will play an essential role in improving the quality of people’s lives! You’ll work directly with pharmacists to process and fill prescriptions, manage pharmaceutical inventory, and process insurance claims.
Learn more about the job description of pharmacy techs here.
Also – check out this article to read up where to find pharmacy technician jobs here.
Hola
Quisiera saber si la registracion obtenida en el estado de Florida es válida para trabajar como Pharmacy Technician el estado de Texas???
Si su respuesta es No!! Favor de explicarme q debo hacer para ejercer mi profecion en ese estado??
Gracias
No, no puede usar su licensia de otro estado. Para trabajar en Texas, tiene que obtener certificado national por el Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. (Pienso que es un examen) Puede llamarles 1-800-363-8012 or por internet: http://www.ptcb.org/
Por Texas: http://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/Q_A_Techs.asp
Can I transfer my registration from another state to Texas?
A pharmacy technician license in another state cannot be transferred to Texas. In order to work as a pharmacy technician the state of Texas, an individual must first become nationally certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). PTCB is the agency which administers the national examination and can be reached at 1-800-363-8012 or via their website at http://www.ptcb.org/.
Once a technician has obtained their national certification, the technician may then register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). The TSBP Pharmacy Technician Registration Application Form can be found at http://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/techregintro.htm
If I am not a US resident ( I live in England) can I still obtain a pharmacy technician
I would like info on programs in & near
Houston, Tx.
Buenos dias, tengo registro y lic al dia de tecnico de farmacia en Puerto Rico que debo hacer para poder trab en Texascana, Texas
Buenos dias, tengo completado el curso de Tecnico de Farmacia en Puerto Rico y mi lic y registro al dia que paso a seguir para trabajar Farmacia Texascsna, Texas
Do you have to attend a school or can you just take the test and pass
It depends on the state you want to work in. Each state has different requirements for working as a pharmacy tech.
If I am not a resident of the US (I live in Canada), is the process to apply for registration and the exam the same as someone who’s currently living in Texas or other states? I have been working as a pharmacy technician in Canada for over 12 years and I’m not sure how the process is in the states. Do we have to do the jurisprudence of the state of Texas and will there be any of those questions or what type of questions are being asked on the exam? I’m interested in finding a job and working in the US as a pharmacy technician but not sure how. Any answers that could help guide me would be greatly appreciated.
Buenas noches, soy residente en Estados unidos (Houston, tx) soy cubana y estudie farmacia en cuba ,soy licenciada en servicios farmaceuticos .
Quisiera saber que tengo que hacer para hacer válido mi título y poder ejercer como farmacéutico.
Tengo 18 años de experiencia laboral como licenciada en servicios farmacéutico.
Can I just study the books and take exam, or do I have to take a class in order to take exam ?
Rosie – according to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, you are not required to attend pharmacy tech training – please visit this page for details: http://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/Q_A_Techs.asp
I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician in Louisiana. I have moved to Texas how do I transfer to Texas?
Sophia – if you have a national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) you can register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to work in Texas. Please see more details here: https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/Q_A_Techs.asp
Hola, es necesario hablar ingles para obtener una licencia de tecnico farmaceuta para el estado de Texas? Gracias.
Can you transfer as a tech in training to another state , if you have not completed it in current state. Or do you have to start all over in desired state I’m moving to.