How to become a pharmacy technician in Texas

Texas requires pharmacy technicians to hold a state credential and national certification. The state credential is the Pharmacy technician registration, issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

BoardTexas State Board of Pharmacy official source
State credentialPharmacy technician registration (title: Registered Pharmacy Technician, Ph.T.R.); entry route: pharmacy technician trainee registration official source
Trainee credentialPharmacy technician trainee registration: needed before training in a Texas pharmacy; can be held only once, cannot be renewed, and expires 2 years after registration or when the technician registration is issued. Technician requirements, including national certification, must be met within those 2 years (22 TAC 297.3, 297.5). official source
National certification (PTCB or ExCPT)Required for technician registration: pass a Board-approved certification exam and hold a current certificate (22 TAC 297.3). The Board names PTCB and the NHA ExCPT. Narrow exemptions exist by Board petition (22 TAC 297.7). official source
EducationHigh school or equivalent diploma (such as a GED), or working toward one for no more than 2 years (22 TAC 297.3). official source
TrainingInitial training set by the pharmacist-in-charge in a pharmacy training manual, documented and certified by the pharmacist-in-charge; no minimum hours or outside school required (22 TAC 297.6). official source
State examNo state technician exam; the national certification exam (PTCB or ExCPT) is required before applying for technician registration. official source
Background checkFingerprint-based criminal history check for trainee, initial and renewal applications; the Board says the fingerprint fee is less than USD 50. official source
State feeUSD 88 initial technician registration (2 years); USD 55 trainee registration (2 years) (22 TAC 297.4). official source
RenewalEvery 2 years, expiring on the last day of the assigned month; USD 85 renewal fee; 20 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period, not required in the first registration period (22 TAC 297.3, 297.4, 297.8). official source
Pharmacist licensePharmacists need a Texas license: pass the NAPLEX and the Texas Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination. official source

Checked against official Texas sources on Oct 20, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the board of pharmacy before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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