How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas
In Texas, there are three different pathways to become licensed with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). The right path depends on your current education, certification status, and whether you’ve been registered before. Below is a clear breakdown to help you choose the correct option.
- You have no certification? → Apply as a Technician Trainee
- You already hold Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - ExCPT certification? → Apply as an Initial Pharmacy Technician
- You started as a trainee and now passed certification? → Upgrade your registration
If you are a Pharmacy technician training program instructor — what should I know to help my students through this process?
Please see important information for your students .
Important Information
Be sure to carefully review the application options to determine which application is best for you. Application fees are non-refundable. TSBP will not refund fees for applications submitted or made in error.
Practice Resources, continuing education requirements, and other important information regarding pharmacy technicians can be found on our Resources page.
This is for: Individuals who are brand new and do not yet hold a PTCB or ExCPT certification.
A Pharmacy Technician Trainee registration allows you to work in a pharmacy while completing a Board-approved technician training program. This registration lasts up to 2 years, cannot be renewed, and can only be issued once.
Eligibility
You must have:
- A high school diploma, GED, or be actively working toward one (up to 2 years).
- No current/active Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - ExCPT certification.
- Never been registered with TSBP as a technician or technician trainee before.
How to Apply
- Create an account in the Online Licensing System application “Initial Technician Trainee” and pay the required fee. If another party will be paying for your application fee (such as a school, employer, etc.) they will need to use the Third Party Payer Instructions for completing the payment portion of the application process.
-
You are required to attach the following
supplemental documents to your online
application:
- Copy of a current state-issued ID or driver's license.
- Copy of your Social Security Card.
- Legal name-change documents, if applicable. (Ex: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name-change document.)
- Complete fingerprinting: Each applicant will be required to complete a fingerprint session. The instructions for fingerprinting will be included in the automated email you should receive after your application has been submitted (Check your spam/junk folder if not immediately received).
- Wait for processing (minimum eight weeks; longer if criminal history is involved). Staff cannot expedite applications. They are worked in the order received.
- You will receive an email and a message in your secure inbox once the registration has been approved. You may not begin working until your registration number is issued with ACTIVE status.
After You’re Registered
Following the issuance of your registration, you will be able to print a certificate/pocket card from the online certificate printing section on the TSBP website at https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/certificates/printing/ .
Once registered, you must notify TSBP if you change your name, address, or employment .
This is for: Individuals who have never been registered as a pharmacy technician in Texas and already hold a current Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - ExCPT certification.
Eligibility
You must have:
- A high school diploma or GED (or currently be working toward one).
- A current PTCB or ExCPT certification. Texas only recognizes the national certification through PTCB or NHA.
- Never been registered with TSBP as a technician or technician trainee before. (Otherwise, see the relicensure pathway.)
How to Apply
- Create an account in the Online Licensing System application “Initial Technician” and pay the required fee.
-
You are required to attach the following
supplemental documents to your online
application:
- Copy of a current state-issued ID or driver's license.
- Copy of your Social Security Card.
- Legal name-change documents, if applicable. (Ex: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name-change document.)
- Complete fingerprinting: Each applicant will be required to complete a fingerprint session. The instructions for fingerprinting will be included in the automated email you should receive after your application has been submitted (Check your spam/junk folder if not immediately received).
- Wait for processing (minimum eight weeks; longer if criminal history is involved). Staff cannot expedite applications. They are worked in the order received.
- You will receive an email and a message in your secure inbox once the registration has been approved. You may not begin working until your registration number is issued with ACTIVE status.
- Once approved, your technician registration number will appear in the license verification system.
- Your registration must be renewed every two years, and continuing education (CE) is required. See this page for the CE requirements for Texas.
After You’re Registered
Following the issuance of your registration, you will be able to print a renewal certificate/pocket card from the online certificate printing section on the TSBP website at https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/certificates/printing/ .
Once registered, you must notify TSBP if you change your name, address, or employment . You are responsible for renewal every two years and completing required CE .
Best for: Individuals who already hold a Technician Trainee Registration and have now passed Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - ExCPT certification. Texas only recognizes the national certification through PTCB or NHA.
If you began with Texas as a trainee and later obtain certification, you must upgrade your registration to remain eligible to work. A trainee registration expires after two years and cannot be renewed or extended.
Eligibility
- You must hold a valid PTCB or ExCPT certification before upgrading. Do not apply until certification is received.
How to Apply
- Log in to the Online Licensing System with your username and password previously created and under the “Manage your license information” section, select the “Upgrade Technician trainee to Technician” application and pay the required fee.
-
You are required to attach the following
supplemental documents to your online
application:
- Copy of a current state-issued ID or driver's license.
- Copy of your Social Security Card.
- Legal name-change documents, if applicable. (Ex: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-ordered name-change document.)
- Complete Fingerprinting: Applicants who have a Technician Trainee registration with an ACTIVE status do NOT need to be fingerprinted for this application. If your Trainee license has expired, you will be required to submit new fingerprints with the agency vendor. The instructions for fingerprinting will be included in the automated email you should receive after your application has been submitted (Check your spam/junk folder if not immediately received).
- Wait for processing (minimum eight weeks; longer if criminal history is involved). Staff cannot expedite applications. They are worked in the order received.
- An email and a message in your secure inbox once the registration has been approved. You may not begin working until your registration number is issued with ACTIVE status.
- Your registration must be renewed every two years, and continuing education (CE) is required. See this page for the CE requirements for Texas.
After You’re Registered
Following the issuance of your registration, you will be able to print a renewal certificate/pocket card from the online certificate printing section on the TSBP website at https://www.pharmacy.texas.gov/certificates/printing/ .
Once registered, you must notify TSBP if you change your name, address, or employment .
You are responsible for renewal every two years and completing required CE .
Technician Trainee Expired
If you previously held a Pharmacy Technician Trainee Registration and it has expired, it cannot be re-issued. A trainee registration is issued only once, is valid for two years, and cannot be renewed or extended. To upgrade from a trainee to a registered pharmacy technician, you must first obtain a valid Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - ExCPT certification.
Registered Technician Registration Expired
If your Texas pharmacy technician registration has expired, email tech@pharmacy.texas.gov with the subject line “Relicensure application packet request.” Include your full licensed name and either your date of birth or your expired technician registration number.
Registration Reinstatement for Disciplinary Order
Reinstatement is required for individuals whose license or registration was REVOKED by a disciplinary order. See the Reinstatement page for further information.
If you would like to reactivate an expired license or registration that was not revoked as a result of disciplinary action, note that this is a separate process called relicensure. If you are seeking relicensure with no prior disciplinary action, visit the Relicensure page to learn more.
