Pharmacy Technician in Texas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$43,920

trending_up +1.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

41,610

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$213

Licensing fees

schedule

Approximately 6 weeks for initial application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a pharmacy technician in Texas

To become a registered Pharmacy Technician in Texas, you must register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include having a high school diploma or GED (or actively working towards one), passing a national certification exam (PTCB or NHA ExCPT), and submitting an online application with fingerprints for a criminal background check. Texas does not offer reciprocity for pharmacy technician licenses from other states, so a new application and national certification are required.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,200

25th percentile $36,990

50th (median) $43,920

75th percentile $47,270

90th (experienced) $55,350

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas State Board of Pharmacy
State license	Required
Education	High school diploma or GED, or actively working towards one. National certification (PTCB or ExCPT) is required for Registered Pharmacy Technician.
Exam	PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) ($129)
Application fee	$84
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 years old. Requires a criminal background check and fingerprinting. CE must include 1 hour of Texas pharmacy law and 1 hour of human trafficking prevention training. First-time renewals are exempt from most CE requirements except for the human trafficking prevention training.

Source: Texas State Board of Pharmacy

workspace_premium Texas license tiers

Texas offers multiple tiers of pharmacy technician licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Technician Trainee	N/A
Registered Pharmacy Technician	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

49,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

490,400

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.01/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a pharmacy technician career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a pharmacy technician in Texas? expand_more

In Texas, becoming a pharmacy technician requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, or actively working towards one. National certification (PTCB or ExCPT) is required for Registered Pharmacy Technician.), pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT), and submit your application ($84 fee).

Does Texas require pharmacy technician licensure? expand_more

Yes, Texas requires a state license to practice as a pharmacy technician. The licensing body is Texas State Board of Pharmacy. You must pass the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT).

What is the average pharmacy technician salary in Texas? expand_more

pharmacy technicians in Texas earn a median of $43,920 annually. This is close to the national median of $43,460. Wages range from $35,200 (10th percentile) up to $55,350 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get pharmacy technician certified in Texas? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($129) and application fee ($84) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician in Texas? expand_more

Expect to spend Approximately 6 weeks for initial application processing from start to finish in Texas — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians in Texas? expand_more

Yes — pharmacy technicians in Texas must complete 20.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.