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 Pharmacy-Technician-Requirements-in-Texasregister 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.

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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.

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