How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas

Education & Training

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.

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.

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

The time it takes to become a pharmacy tech depends on the training route you choose. Certificate programs take between 9 months to a year. Those pursuing an associate degree will likely devote at least two years to their training.

How Much Does Training Cost?

The cost of becoming a pharmacy technician in Texas varies. 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.

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.

Where do Pharmacy Technicians Work?

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.

Pharmacy Technician Salaries in Texas

The average certified pharmacy technician’s salary in TX is $18.43 per hour or around $38,000 annually.

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:

Austin $37,100
Dallas $37,400
Forth Worth $36,700
Houston $38,600
San Antonio $36,600

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

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.

Career Outlook

As the population ages and new drugs are introduced, more people are using prescription medication to treat illness and disease. Along with this trend, cost-minded health insurance providers call upon pharmacists to expand their role into direct patient care and education.

Pharmacists rely on pharmacy technicians to meet the increased medication demand while maintaining high levels of safety and accuracy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the pharmacy technician field will increase by 5% from 2021 to 2031, similar to the average for all occupations.

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).