There is only one way for pharmacy technicians and trainees to work legally in Texas: that is to register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Formal training in pharmacy technology is highly recommended as it increases the chances of success in the field. There are several community colleges and career institutes that offer pharmacy technician classes in Austin Texas. Apart from the cost, students should also consider the length of the program, externship opportunities, the certificate awarded and whether the program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Upon completion of formal training, pharmacy technician graduates should take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam to obtain national certification.
Austin Community College- Eastview Campus
Austin Community College facilitates a Pharmacy Technician Certificate program at its Eastview Campus. The program’s goals follow the objectives of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists curriculum for pharmacy technicians. The two-semester program consists of classroom and laboratory instruction followed by a clinical experience at local pharmacies. Areas of study include federal and state pharmacy law, sterile and non-sterile compounding, reading and preparing prescriptions, business principles, pharmacy calculations, field experience, and retail and hospital pharmacy practice. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Morning classes are available in the spring and summer semesters and evening classes in the fall semester.
Admission criteria:
- Complete the immunization requirements on the Immunization Form
- Review and complete the mandatory online Information Session
- Schedule and attend a mandatory program advising session
- Completing co-requisite courses is recommended. Priority will be given to those who complete the most co-requisites
- Submit official transcripts of all college coursework
- Set up a CastleBranch account
- Upload the completed Immunization Form to CastleBranch
- Upload other application documents
- Complete a criminal background check
- Obtain a clear TB test
- Complete a drug screen
- Must have health insurance
The total cost of attendance for the Level I Certificate is $4,444 inclusive of background check, physical, drug screening, uniforms, textbooks, TSBP fingerprinting and registration, and tuition.
- Website: https://sites.austincc.edu/health/phra/
- Address: 3401 Webberville Road, Austin, TX
- Phone: (512) 223-5700
- Toll-Free: 1-888.626-1697
- E-mail: healthsciences@austincc.edu
Southern Careers Institute – Austin
Southern Careers Institute’s pharmacy technician program prepares students for entry-level careers at retail or hospital pharmacies, nursing homes, the military, government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Instructors use lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations and interactive sessions to disburse information on key topics such pharmacy operations, basic pharmacology skills, computer applications, keyboarding, FDA drug safety, pharmacy law and much more. The program will cover a total of 848 clock hours, including 510 hours in the classroom, 170 hours in the skills lab, and 168 hours extern hours. Graduates will have successfully earned 65 quarter credits. Course modules include Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Customer Service, Career Readiness, Pharmacy Technician Externship, Communication, Medical Terminology, Medical Law and Ethics, Introduction to Pharmacy Management, and Diseases of the Human Body. Day and evening schedules are available with durations of 33 weeks and 51 weeks respectively.
Admission criteria:
- Attend an interview with an Admissions Representative
- Provide proof of high school graduation or GED or associate degree from an accredited institution
- Sign the Enrollment Agreement
- Complete and pass a Background Check
- Must be able to read, write and speak English
- Must register with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee
- Submit a completed application to the program with the non-refundable fee of $62
- Complete a fingerprint session including the non-refundable fee of $43
Tuition is $18,450 plus expenses for books and supplies.
- Website: https://scitexas.edu/
- Address: 2301 S. Congress Ave. Suite 27Austin, TX 78704
- Phone: (512) 265-0203
Central Texas College
The pharmacy technician program at Central Texas College explores coursework that includes preparation for the PTCB exam. Students will master the skills needed to function as a pharmacy technician through supervised hands-on practice. The training will include 200 contact hours of accelerated instruction in the classroom. After completing the PTCB-recognized program, graduates will be eligible to take the PTCB exam and apply for registration as a pharmacy technician in Texas. Graduates have the option to enroll in the clinical experience for the development of technical skills in an institutional pharmacy setting. The training will include work flow and personnel, the hospital pharmacy operation, safety techniques, packaging and labeling operations, data entry, inpatient drug distribution systems, and inventory control. Classes are scheduled during the weekdays.
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years at the time of enrollment
- Demonstrate competency in basic computer operations
- High school diploma or transcript or GED certificate
- Two references completed in the Continuing Education forms
The cost of the program is $3,244 including supplies and course completion certificate. The optional clinical experience costs an additional $649. Financial assistance is available through Sallie Mae.
- Website: https://www.ctcd.edu/
- Address: P.O. Box 1800, Killeen, TX 76540-1800
- Phone: 1-800-223-4760
Blinn College District
Blinn’s Pharmacy Technician Program is an intensive training that gives adults knowledge and skills to qualify for entry level employment in retail pharmacies, hospitals, mail order pharmacies, pharmaceutical labs, and other pharmacy settings. The program includes 160 contact hours of instruction in three modules. The Introduction to Pharmacy includes an overview of the qualifications and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician, the history of pharmacy, qualifications for certification, medical terms and abbreviations, standards of law and ethics governing pharmacy practice, and safety standards. Community Pharmacy Practice introduces the skills necessary to process, prepare, label and maintain records of prescriptions in a community pharmacy, over-the-counter drugs, inventory management, count and pour techniques, calculating prescriptions, drug selection and preparation, and legal parameters. The Pharmacy Technician Certificate Review explores major topics covered in the PTCE. The curriculum is based on the standards set by the American Pharmaceutical Association. Instructors use interactive methods so students have an active part in the learning process. Day, night, and online training options are available.
Admission criteria:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Take and meet the minimum standards on the TSI
Tuition for the program is $1,450.
- Website: https://www.blinn.edu/
- Address: 902 College Avenue, Brenham, TX 77833
- Phone: 979-830-4000
Temple College
The pharmacy technician program at Temple College leads to a Pharmacy Technician Certificate. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a pharmacy technician in Texas and take the PTCB or NHA exam for national certification. The program admits new students once a year. The class size is limited to 25 students in each cycle. Incomplete application packets will be rejected.
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma, GED, and High School Equivalency Certificate
- Must be 18 years or older
- Provide a valid photo ID and social security card
- Submit to a criminal history background check. Candidates with infractions will not qualify for state certification and will not be admitted to the program
- Provide documentation of the required immunization – TB skin test, hepatitis B, Tdap, MMR, and varicella
- Provide the results from a drug screening test
- A valid and current CPR for Healthcare Providers card
- Be prepared to pay for the course upon acceptance
Tuition for the program is $2,495 including textbooks. Additional costs include scrubs, tech trainee license, fingerprinting, background check, CPR course, and drug screen. A flexible payment plan is available for all students.
- Website: https://www.templejc.edu/
- Address: 5701 Airport Rd., Temple, Texas 76502
- Phone: 254-298-8782
The Training Center
The Pharmacy Technician Program at The Training Center prepares students for entry-level employment in a community pharmacy or hospital. The curriculum will cover essential areas for training such as medication dosage, pharmacy calculations, pharmacy terminology, legal and ethical principles, dispensing of medications, inventory management, the most common drugs, record keeping, medication order processing, updating patient profiles, pharmacy software, and billing and reimbursement. Students must complete a total of 144 clock hours for completion. The duration of the program is 12 weeks.
Admission criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Two valid forms of Government Issued ID
- Proof of completing high school, GED, or accredited college program
- Documentation of immunization – Hep-B, MMR, PPD, Tetanus, Varicella
- Pass a 5-panel urine drug screen
- Pass a background check
- Must not have any drug-related charges, felony charges, or convictions of any kind in the last three years
The approximate cost of the program is $4,173. It includes tuition, registration fee, background check, drug test, lab fee, uniform, Basic Life Support, books, national/State exam fee, and fingerprint fee.
- Website: https://www.centextraining.com/
- Address: 455 E Central TX Expy, Suite 106, Harker Heights, TX 76548,
- Phone: (254)-213-3270
Are The Any Free Pharmacy Technician Training in Austin?
The pharmacy technician programs offered at colleges and for-profit schools in Austin are not free but may be funded through financial aid. There are some pharmacy employers that provide free in-house pharmacy technician training to new employees or they might offer to fund the cost of training at a local community college.
What Is The Cost of Pharmacy Technician Training In Austin?
The average cost of a pharmacy technician program at a state community college in Austin is $3,200 inclusive of books and supplies.
How Long Does It Take to Become A Pharmacy Technician in Austin?
Pharmacy technician certificate programs may be completed in 18 weeks of full-time attendance.
How Do I Become A Pharmacy Technician in Texas?
A license issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy is required to practice as a pharmacy technician in Texas.
There are two types of pharmacy technician registrations issued by the Board:
- A Pharmacy Technician registration is one which allows the individual to provide technical services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs. The technician will work under the direct supervision of and is responsible to a pharmacist.
- A Pharmacy Technician Trainee registration allows the individual to participate in a pharmacy’s technician training program and work towards certification from an approved national certification organization. The trainee registration is valid for two years and is NOT renewable or extendable for ANY reason.
Complete the following steps to register as a pharmacy technician:
- Submit documentation of completing high school or equivalent
- Provide documentation of current certification from a recognized certifying body – these include the PTCB exam or the NHA exam
- Provide personal data include full name, address, date of birth, social security number, PTCB or ExCPT number and expiration date
- Submit details for fingerprinting and criminal history check
To apply for the pharmacy technician trainee registration you must:
- Have a high school diploma or GED or be working to complete a high school diploma
- Provide your full legal name, mailing address, date of birth, and social security number
- Provide details for the Board to process a criminal background check
The trainee registration is available only for candidates who have not been previously registered with the TSBP and held certification from the PTCB or ExCPT.
Full details on the Texas Pharmacy Technician Registration Requirements available here.
Do You Have to Go to School to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Texas?
According to the Texas Board of Pharmacy, formal pharmacy technician training is not required for registration. Applicants must have completed high school or equivalent. Certification as a pharmacy technician requires that you complete a formal, accredited program to meet the standards of the profession.
How Much Does a Certified Pharmacy Technician Make in Austin?
Certified pharmacy technicians in Austin earn an annual median wage of $42,625. Experienced pharmacy technicians in hospital pharmacies earn as much as $52,120 annually.
Which Pharmacy Technician Certification is Best?
The Texas Board of Pharmacy recognizes national certification from both the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the National Healthcareer Association.