Texas Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements

Requirements for online application ($56): [TAC 297.3]

1. Have a high school or equivalent diploma (e.g., GED), or be working to achieve a high school or equivalent diploma. For the purpose of this clause, an applicant for registration may be working to achive a high school or equivalent diploma for no more than two years; and

2. Either have:
(i) taken and passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board's National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination or other examination approved by the board and have a current certification certificate; or
(ii) been granted an exemption from certification by the board as specified 297.7 of this title (relating to Exemption from Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements); and

3. Complete the Texas application for registration;

4. Meet all requirements necessary in order for the Board to access the criminal history record information, including submitting fingerprint information and paying the required fees; and

5. Pay the registration fee specified in 297.4 of this title (relating to Fees).

Applicant must submit a renewal application to the pharmacy board biannually.

Pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for administering a training program and is responsible for maintaining records. [TAC 297.6]

The Pharmacy may adopt The National Pharmacy Technician Training Program as part of its own pharmacy technician training program. [TAC 297.6]

The technician-to-pharmacist ratio is 2:1, but can be increased to 3:1 with no more than two “pharmacy technician trainees.” Specific pharmacies may have up to five technicians to one pharmacist if the pharmacy does not dispense more than 20 different drugs and does not compound intravenous or intramuscular drugs. [TX Board Reg. 291.32 and

TAC 297.6]

Technicians are required to have 20 hours of CE per renewal period. [TAC 297.8]

Certification is required by a board-approved program. ExCPT is applying for approval.

1. As of September 1, 2001, pharmacy technicians who have been continuously employed as a pharmacy technician in Texas for at least 10 years and who received an exemption from the board are considered long-term exempt from certification.

2. Technicians working in rural counties as defined as a county with a population of 50,000 or less may petition the pharmacy board for exemption from certification. [The petitioning process is outlined in TAC 297.7]. Any certification program, including the ExCPT is voluntary for these exempt individuals.