How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas

Pharmacy technicians enjoy a stable career with job security, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to work in the healthcare field without requiring extensive education or training compared to other medical professions. Learn how to get started.

Education & Training

What Are the Benefits of a Program?

The primary benefit of PT course is learning how to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

Secondly, an online course will allow you to study at your own pace.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Texas?

Certificate programs take between 9 months to a year. Those pursuing an associate degree will likely devote at least 2 years to their training.

How Much Does Training Cost?

A certificate program can cost anywhere from $3,700 to $4,500. Meanwhile, you can expect to pay $7,000 or more for a two-year degree program.

You’ll also need to factor registration and exam fees into your budget as well.

Clinical Training

Many training programs include a clinical component that allows students to work in a pharmacy setting under the supervision of a pharmacist. However, before participating in a clinical placement, students must be registered with TSBP as pharmacy technician trainees.

Licensing Requirements in Texas

Those registered with the board as pharmacy technician trainees can participate in an externship program offered by a 2-year college or vocational school.

The requirements to become a trainee include the following:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Active enrollment in a certificate or two-year Pharmacy Technician program
• Pharmacy Technician Trainee status through the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, which is valid for two years.
• The student must take and pass the certification exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) before their status expires. To take the exam, candidates must:
  • Complete an application with high school diploma/GED dates, social security number, and program of study.
  • Have fingerprints taken
  • Provide the name, address, and pharmacy license number of your clinical site
  • Have no felony convictions
  • Have no suspension, denial, revocation, or limitations on your registration or licensure by any State Board of Pharmacy
  • Possess no substance-abuse convictions, including pharmacy-related drugs. Any violations, including misdemeanors, must be reported to PTCB

Application Process

Applications for pharmacy technicians take about 1 – 2 weeks to process, but background check issues can delay the procedure by 4 – 6 weeks. Once registered as a CPhT, techs must complete 20 continuing education contact hours to renew their certification status.

Training Requirements

Job seekers must be board-registered pharmacy technicians or pharmacy technician trainees to provide services at licensed locations.

Candidates can start work after receiving active status from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). However, pharmacy employers must provide initial on-the-job training for technicians and trainees.

Accredited Programs

For those pursuing training through a local community college or trade Texas trade school, the TSBP recommends programs accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). The TSBP designates any program as “board approved” with this accreditation.

Salary

The average certified pharmacy technician’s salary in TX is $20.67 per hour or around $42,990 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, additional certification levels and different facilities can increase a pharmacy tech’s wage. For example, those who work in hospitals often earn more than those working in retail environments.

Below are the median annual salaries for Pharmacy Technicians-Level 1 (Entry-level) in major metropolitan cities:

Area	Per Hour	Per Year
Longview	$18.83	$39,170
Lubbock	$18.95	$39,420
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission	$17.86	$37,140
Midland	$21.58	$44,890
North Texas Region of Texas	$19.28	$40,100
Odessa	$20.58	$42,810
San Angelo	$19.56	$40,680
San Antonio-New Braunfels	$21.36	$44,430
Sherman-Denison	$19.20	$39,930
Texarkana	$18.69	$38,860
Tyler	$19.18	$39,890
Victoria	$19.63	$40,830
Waco	$20.28	$42,180
West Texas Region of Texas	$18.94	$39,400
Wichita Falls	$19.36	$40,270

_{Occupation: Pharmacy Technicians (SOC code 292052)
source: data.bls.gov}

Job Description

What Do They Do?

According to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP), a pharmacy technician works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and prepares and dispenses medications, maintains pharmacy records, and answers customer questions. Pharmacy techs also ensure medications are dispensed accurately and safely and that the pharmacy is well-stocked and organized.

Job Duties

The primary duties of pharmacy technicians include:

• Preparing and filling prescription medications
• Assisting customers when placing or picking up their orders
• Routine clerical tasks like taking prescription requests from doctors, inputting customer information into the computer, and labeling bottles.
• Pharmacy technicians can perform most of the work of pharmacists, like filling prescriptions but may not offer advice or perform the final count of dispensed medication.  In all cases, they work under the direct supervision of pharmacists.

Other Duties

Many pharmacy technicians work in retail stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS. However, job opportunities are also available in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, pharmaceutical warehouses, mail-order pharmacies, research labs, and federal agencies.

To succeed in this role, pharmacy technicians must be highly detail-oriented and good with numbers. Job candidates must use sound judgment, be able to multitask, and have excellent customer service skills.

Where Can Pharmacy Technicians Work?

Many pharmacy technicians work in retail stores such as Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS. However, job opportunities are also available in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, pharmaceutical warehouses, mail-order pharmacies, research labs, and federal agencies.

What Texas Employers Are Looking for in a Pharmacy Technician

Employers across Texas are seeking highly skilled, certified, and detail-oriented Pharmacy Technicians to join their healthcare teams. The demand spans multiple healthcare settings, including inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, specialty pharmacies, and community health centers. While specific requirements vary by employer, common qualifications, skills, and cross-disciplinary competencies have emerged as consistent expectations across the industry.

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Core Skills and Qualifications in High Demand

1. Certifications and Licensure Employers expect candidates to have the necessary certifications and licensure to operate legally in Texas. This typically includes:

• Pharmacy Technician Registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT), often through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, as required by some healthcare providers.
• For trainees, registration with the TSBP is mandatory before beginning training, with full certification required within one to two years.

2. Technical Proficiency and Accuracy Pharmacy Technicians in Texas must demonstrate:

• Medication preparation and distribution skills, including accurately filling unit dose carts and preparing first doses.
• Inventory management capabilities, ensuring medication security and performing cycle counts.
• Sterile compounding skills, especially for inpatient settings (e.g., MD Anderson Cancer Center), where technicians prepare both hazardous and non-hazardous sterile products.
• Data entry and order processing accuracy, particularly in specialized settings such as Onco360, which focuses on oncology pharmacy.

3. Technology and Software Skills Familiarity with pharmacy management systems and electronic health records (EHR) is a sought-after skill. Many employers, including Legacy Community Health, require proficiency in systems like Epic. Other technical skills include:

• Use of automated dispensing machines.
• Experience with insurance adjudication and benefits verification.

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Notable Employers in Texas Hiring Pharmacy Technicians

1. Legacy Community Health – Houston, TX Legacy Community Health seeks Pharmacy Technicians with experience in Epic software, BLS certification, and a commitment to community wellness. The organization offers loan repayment assistance of up to $180,000 and comprehensive benefits, making it a desirable employer for technicians looking for growth in community healthcare.

2. MD Anderson Cancer Center – Houston, TX One of the most prestigious employers in Texas, MD Anderson hires Pharmacy Technicians for its inpatient settings. The role involves sterile compounding, medication distribution, and inventory management. MD Anderson offers relocation assistance, referral bonuses, and competitive pay ranging from $41,500 to $62,500 annually.

3. Onco360 – Houston, TX Onco360, a specialty oncology pharmacy, prioritizes data entry proficiency and attention to detail. Technicians process electronic prescriptions, manage faxes, and ensure the accuracy of patient profiles. Onco360 offers competitive hourly pay starting at $22/hour and provides tuition reimbursement and 401(k) matching benefits.

4. Baylor Scott & White Health – McKinney, TX At Baylor Scott & White, Pharmacy Technicians handle inpatient medication distribution, sterile preparation, and insurance adjudication. The employer offers immediate health and welfare benefits, tuition reimbursement, and 401(k) matching, making it an attractive option for technicians seeking stable employment with growth potential.

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Cross-Discipline and Specialty Opportunities

Pharmacy Technicians in Texas frequently find crossover opportunities into related healthcare disciplines. Some examples include:

• Oncology and Specialty Pharmacy: Employers like Onco360 focus on specialized medication dispensing and require technicians with oncology-specific expertise.
• Inpatient and Clinical Settings: Technicians at hospitals such as MD Anderson and Medical Center Hospital gain skills in sterile compounding, making them competitive candidates for clinical pharmacy roles.
• Health Informatics and EHR Proficiency: Knowledge of systems like Epic is transferable to health information technology (HIT) roles, which require data management skills.
• Insurance and Benefits Coordination: Positions like those at Baylor Scott & White involve insurance verification and billing, making Pharmacy Technicians valuable in healthcare administration and medical billing departments.

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Key Takeaway

Employers across Texas are seeking Pharmacy Technicians who possess strong technical skills, certifications, and attention to detail. Proficiency with pharmacy management software, knowledge of sterile compounding, and the ability to manage inventory and insurance claims are highly valued. Employers such as Legacy Community Health, MD Anderson, Onco360, and Baylor Scott & White offer competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for growth. Furthermore, the field provides cross-disciplinary prospects, allowing Pharmacy Technicians to explore careers in oncology, healthcare administration, and health information technology.

Career Growth

Pharmacy technicians can also specialize in one area, such as chemotherapy or nuclear medicine.

Those with solid performance records in larger companies may be promoted into such supervisory roles as Senior Pharmacy Technicians, although they will still be under the direct supervision of pharmacists.

Another avenue of career growth is for pharmacy technicians to continue their education to become pharmacists (typically through a five-year undergraduate program).