FAQs | Fingerprints

Pharmacist Renewal


Why is re-fingerprinting a requirement now?

Per the new statutory requirement set out in Texas Occupations Code, Sec 602.2101, a fingerprint background check will be required prior to the completion of your TSBP license renewal if your initial fingerprints were completed before June 1, 2015. Fingerprint criminal history background checks through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are required for all current licensees and permit holders.

This will be a one-time requirement and will not need to be completed for subsequent renewals unless required by law.

This process began with registered pharmacy technicians in Texas, and will continue with TSBP-licensed pharmacists.

Pharmacists will be notified throughout social media, newsletters and the pharmacist renewal email notification. The first pharmacist renewal group affected by this change are those whose licenses must be renewed by February 28, 2023.

Note that the fingerprint results will not be REQUIRED until your renewal. Reminders of the fingerprint requirement will be included in the renewal notice sent out 60 days prior to your current expiration date. If you would like to complete a fingerprint session outside of your renewal period, please email fingerprints@pharmacy.texas.gov with your license number and full name with a request to provide the link to register for fingerprints.


My current license status is inactive and I plan to keep it inactive—do I need to be fingerprinted?

No. As long as you plan to renew as inactive, you will not be required to be fingerprinted. If you decide to go back to an active license status, you will be required to be fingerprinted.


I am already a licensed pharmacist in Texas—why do I need to be re-fingerprinted? Can I be grandfathered in?

In January 2018, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Fingerprint-based Applicant Clearinghouse of Texas (FACT) began implementing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Rap Back Service as part of the Bureau’s Next Generation Identification system. The Rap Back Service can automatically send immediate, nationwide results regarding current licensee/registrant arrest and criminal history information to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP).

TSBP will not grandfather in licensed pharmacists with a license or fingerprint  date prior to June 1, 2015. You can find your original licensure date by running a verification search for your license here on our website.

Pharmacists originally licensed prior to June 1, 2015 will be required to be fingerprinted beginning with the pharmacists February 2023 renewals. TSBP will require pharmacists to complete updated fingerprints prior to approving their pharmacist renewal.


What happens if I renew my license on time and do everything right (right fee, CE completed and completed the right forms) BUT I didn’t complete the fingerprint process by the expiration date on my license?

Your renewal will NOT be processed and your license may go delinquent if you have still not completed an updated fingerprint session. It will stay delinquent until you provide your fingerprints as required by law. However, you will not be subjected to a late renewal fee.


Will TSBP process my renewal without a fingerprint session?

TSBP will not process Texas pharmacist license renewals with an ACTIVE status unless a compliant fingerprint session has been completed after June 1, 2015.

Pharmacists with an ACTIVE license status that are required to complete the fingerprint process for license renewal will meet one of the following circumstances:

  • The fingerprint process was completed for TSBP before 6/1/2015 even if the pharmacist license was issued after 6/1/2015.
  • The fingerprint process was never done for TSBP, or it was completed for TSBP before 6/1/2015 since the pharmacist license was issued before 6/1/2015.


If I had my fingerprints taken for a different professional registration/license, can I use those reports to satisfy the TSBP requirement?

No. If you were fingerprinted by an agency other than TSBP, you MUST complete fingerprints again. The TSBP Service Code, provided in the automated email sent after submitting your renewal, allows the vendor to forward your fingerprint results directly to TSBP.


What documentation is needed before I can be fingerprinted at an IdentoGO or law enforcement location when requested by a licensing agency?

You will need the TSBP Service Code, which will be supplied after completing the online renewal application via an automated response email, a driver's license or other valid form of identification (PDF), and the form of payment selected when the appointment was made.


How long will it take TSBP to receive the results from my fingerprint background check?

Allow a minimum of three (3) days for your license to be renewed if the fingerprint process was completed at an IdentoGO location in person or 6 weeks for the fingerprint card results if printed at another law enforcement type location. If you have questions regarding background information that may be found, see Information Regarding Criminal History before calling TSBP.