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It’s not difficult to get your pharmacy tech license in Texas. Follow these steps and you’ll be licensed in no time.
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Introduction
In order to practice pharmacy in the state of Texas, an individual must obtain a pharmacy license from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). There are two types of licenses that can be obtained: a pharmacist license and a pharmacy technician license. In order to obtain a pharmacy technician license, an individual must first complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program and pass the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). Once these requirements have been met, the individual can then apply for a pharmacy technician license through the TSBP.
The Texas Pharmacy Technician Certification Board
The Texas Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (TPTCB) is responsible for certifying pharmacy technicians in the state of Texas. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent to be eligible for certification.
To become certified, you must first pass a criminal background check and then pass the pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCE). The PTCE is a computer-based exam that is offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. Once you pass the PTCE, you will need to submit an application to the TPTCB along with a $25 fee.
Your certification will need to be renewed every two years and you will need to complete 20 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. You can find more information on the TPTCB website.
Education and Training Requirements
In order to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) in the state of Texas, you must first complete an accredited pharmacy technician training program. These vary in length but typically last between 6 and 24 weeks. During your training, you will learn about the different duties of a pharmacy technician, how to correctly dispense medication, and how to maintain records. After completing your training, you must then pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a computer-based exam administered by Pearson VUE. You must pass the PTCE to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). To be eligible to sit for the PTCE, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a training program, or have at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
You can take the PTCE at any Pearson VUE testing center. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, and you will have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete it. To prepare for the PTCE, you can use resources such as the APhA Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review (ISBN: 9781582121095) and the PTCB Candidate Handbook.
The PTCB also offers practice exams on its website. The cost of the PTCE is $129, and you can register for it online or by mail. You will need to create a user account on the Pearson VUE website before you can register for the exam. You will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) once you have registered and paid for the exam. The ATT is valid for 90 days from the date that it is issued.
To take the PTCE, you will need to bring your ATT with you on the day of your exam, as well as 2 forms of identification, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. You will also need to provide your Social Security number when you register for the exam.
After you pass the PTCE, you will need to maintain your CPhT credential by renewing it every 2 years. To renew your credential, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) within those 2 years and submit a renewal application to the PTCB.
Renewing Your Pharmacy Technician License
All licensed Pharmacy Technicians must renew their license every two years by the expiration date.
The Texas Pharmacy Association (TxPA) offers a voluntary certification program for pharmacy technicians through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). To be eligible for PTCB certification, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and must have completed a PTCB-recognized training program or have equivalent experience. Applicants must also pass the PTCB’s national pharmacy technician certification exam.
Conclusion
In order to become a Licensed Pharmacy Technician in Texas, you will need to complete an accredited training program, pass a national certification exam, and submit a license application to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Once you have met all of these requirements, you will be able to begin working as a pharmacy technician in the state of Texas.
