Texas Scorecard

Grading Scale:
A – 85-100%, B – 70-84.9%, C – 55-69.9%, D – 40-54.9%, F – 0-39.9%

Grading Categories & Criteria

Texas Law

I. Laws
TEXAS STATUTES

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/

Sec. A 551.003. (1) AA AA DEFINITIONS. In Chapters 551-566:

(32) AA “”Pharmacy technician”” means an individual employed by a pharmacy whose responsibility is to provide technical services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs and who works under the direct supervision of and is responsible to a pharmacist. not include a pharmacy technician trainee.

Sec. 554.002. REGULATION OF PRACTICE OF PHARMACY. The board shall regulate the practice of pharmacy in this state by:

(1) issuing a license after examination or by reciprocity to an applicant qualified to practice pharmacy and issuing a license to a pharmacy under this subtitle;

(2) renewing a license to practice pharmacy and a license to operate a pharmacy;

(3) determining and issuing standards for recognizing and approving degree requirements of colleges of pharmacy whose graduates are eligible for a license in this state;

(4) specifying and enforcing requirements for practical training, including an internship;

(5) enforcing the provisions of this subtitle relating to:

(A) the conduct or competence of a pharmacist practicing in this state and the conduct of a pharmacy operating in this state; and

(B) the suspension, revocation, retirement, or restriction of a license to practice pharmacy or to operate a pharmacy or the imposition of an administrative penalty or reprimand on a license holder;

(6) regulating the training, qualifications, and employment of a pharmacist-intern, pharmacy technician, and pharmacy technician trainee; and

(7) determining and issuing standards for recognizing and approving a pharmacy residency program for purposes of Subchapter W, Chapter 61, Education Code.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.301(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2013.” “Sec. 554.053. RULEMAKING: PHARMACY TECHNICIAN AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN TRAINEE. (a) The board shall establish rules for the use and the duties of a pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee employed by a pharmacy licensed by the board. A pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee shall be responsible to and must be directly supervised by a pharmacist.

(b) The board may not adopt a rule establishing a ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees in a Class C pharmacy or limiting the number of pharmacy technicians or pharmacy technician trainees that may be used in a Class C pharmacy.

(c) The board shall determine and issue standards for recognition and approval of a training program for pharmacy technicians and maintain a list of board-approved training programs that meet those standards.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.303(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 7, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 929 (S.B. 1633), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.” “Sec. 568.001. RULES; QUALIFICATIONS. (a) In establishing rules under Section 554.053(c), the board shall require that:

(1) a pharmacy technician:

(A) have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate or be working to achieve an equivalent diploma or certificate; and

(B) have passed a board-approved pharmacy technician certification examination; and

(2) a pharmacy technician trainee have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate or be working to achieve an equivalent diploma or certificate.

(b) The board shall adopt rules that permit a pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee to perform only nonjudgmental technical duties under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.313(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 19, eff. June 14, 2013.” “Sec. 568.002. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (a) A person must register with the board before beginning work in a pharmacy in this state as a pharmacy technician or a pharmacy technician trainee.

(b) The board may allow a pharmacy technician to petition the board for a special exemption from the pharmacy technician certification requirement if the pharmacy technician is in a county with a population of less than 50,000.

(c) An applicant for registration as a pharmacy technician or a pharmacy technician trainee must submit an application on a form prescribed by the board.

(d) A person’s registration as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee remains in effect as long as the person meets the qualifications established by board rule.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.313(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 20, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 485 (H.B. 2561), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2017.

Sec. 568.003. GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION. (a) The board may take disciplinary action under Section 568.0035 against an applicant for or the holder of a current or expired pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee registration if the board determines that the applicant or registrant has:

(1) violated this subtitle or a rule adopted under this subtitle;

(2) engaged in gross immorality, as that term is defined by the rules of the board;

(3) engaged in any fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, as those terms are defined by the rules of the board, in seeking a registration to act as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee;

(4) been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision or deferred disposition or the applicable federal equivalent for:

(A) a misdemeanor:

(i) involving moral turpitude; or

(ii) under Chapter 481 or 483, Health and Safety Code, or the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.); or

(B) a felony;

(5) developed an incapacity that prevents the applicant or registrant from practicing as a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee with reasonable skill, competence, and safety to the public;

(6) violated:

(A) Chapter 481 or 483, Health and Safety Code, or rules relating to those chapters;

(B) Sections 485.031-485.034, Health and Safety Code; or

(C) a rule adopted under Section 485.002, Health and Safety Code;

(7) violated the pharmacy or drug laws or rules of this state, another state, or the United States;

(8) performed duties in a pharmacy that only a pharmacist may perform, as defined by the rules of the board;

(9) used alcohol or drugs in an intemperate manner that, in the board’s opinion, could endanger a patient’s life;

(10) engaged in negligent, unreasonable, or inappropriate conduct when working in a pharmacy;

(11) violated a disciplinary order;

(12) been convicted or adjudicated of a criminal offense that requires registration as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure; or

(13) been disciplined by a pharmacy or other health regulatory board of this state or another state for conduct substantially equivalent to conduct described by this subsection.

(b) A certified copy of the record of a state taking action described by Subsection (a)(13) is conclusive evidence of the action taken by the state.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.313(a), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1345 (S.B. 410), Sec. 33, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 837 (S.B. 1853), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 21, eff. June 14, 2013.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 768 (H.B. 4595), Sec. 16.002, eff. September 1, 2023.” “Sec. 568.006. RATIO OF PHARMACISTS TO PHARMACY TECHNICIANS AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN TRAINEES. The ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees in a Class A pharmacy must be at least one pharmacist for every five pharmacy technicians or pharmacy technician trainees if the Class A pharmacy dispenses not more than 20 different prescription drugs and does not produce intravenous or intramuscular drugs on-site.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1198, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 26, eff. June 14, 2013.” Sec. 568.007 appears to have been combined with 568.006 now. “Sec. 568.008. PHARMACY TECHNICIANS IN HOSPITALS WITH CLINICAL PHARMACY PROGRAM. (a) In this section, “”clinical pharmacy program”” means a program that provides pharmaceutical care services as specified by board rule.

(b) A Class C pharmacy that has an ongoing clinical pharmacy program may allow a pharmacy technician to verify the accuracy of work performed by another pharmacy technician relating to the filling of floor stock and unit dose distribution systems for a patient admitted to the hospital if the patient’s orders have previously been reviewed and approved by a pharmacist.

(c) The pharmacist-in-charge of the clinical pharmacy program shall adopt policies and procedures for the verification process authorized by this section.

(d) A hospital must notify the board before implementing the verification process authorized by this section.

(e) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules specifying:

(1) the duties that may be verified by another pharmacy technician;

(2) the records that must be maintained for the verification process; and

(3) the training requirements for pharmacy technicians who verify the accuracy of the work of other pharmacy technicians.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1128 (H.B. 1924), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 27, eff. June 14, 2013.

Sec. 568.009. CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR EMPLOYMENT. Not later than the 10th day after the date of a change of address or employment, a pharmacy technician or a pharmacy technician trainee shall notify the board in writing of the change.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 583 (S.B. 869), Sec. 28, eff. June 14, 2013.

Texas Administrative Code

https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=297&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=15&title=22

§297.3 Registration Requirements

(a) General.

(1) Individuals who are not registered with the Board may not be employed as or perform the duties of a pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee.

(2) Individuals who have previously applied and registered as a pharmacy technician, regardless of the pharmacy technician’s current registration status, may not register as a pharmacy technician trainee.

(3) Individuals who apply and are qualified for both a pharmacy technician trainee registration and a pharmacy technician registration concurrently will not be considered for a pharmacy technician trainee registration.

(b) Registration for pharmacy technician trainees. An individual may register as a pharmacy technician trainee only once and the registration may not be renewed.

(1) Each applicant for pharmacy technician trainee registration shall:

(A) have a high school or equivalent diploma (e.g., GED), or be working to achieve a high school or equivalent diploma. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an applicant for registration may be working to achieve a high school or equivalent diploma for no more than two years;

(B) complete the Texas application for registration that includes the following information:

(i) name;

(ii) addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and social security number; and

(iii) any other information requested on the application.

(C) meet all requirements necessary in order for the Board to access the criminal history record information, including submitting fingerprint information and paying the required fees.

(2) Once an applicant has successfully completed all requirements of registration, and the board has determined there are no grounds to refuse registration, the applicant will be notified of registration as a pharmacy technician trainee and of his or her pharmacy technician trainee registration number.

(3) Pharmacy technician trainee registrations expire two years from the date of registration or upon issuance of registration as a registered pharmacy technician, whichever is earlier.

(c) Initial registration for pharmacy technicians.

(1) Each applicant for pharmacy technician registration shall:

(A) have a high school or equivalent diploma (e.g., GED), or be working to achieve a high school or equivalent diploma. For the purpose of this clause, an applicant for registration may be working to achieve a high school or equivalent diploma for no more than two years; and

(B) either have:

(i) taken and passed a pharmacy technician certification examination approved by the board and have a current certification certificate; or

(ii) been granted an exemption from certification by the board as specified in §297.7 of this title (relating to Exemption from Pharmacy Technician Certification Requirements); and

(C) complete the Texas application for registration that includes the following information:

(i) name;

(ii) addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and social security number; and

(iii) any other information requested on the application.

(D) meet all requirements necessary in order for the Board to access the criminal history record information, including submitting fingerprint information and paying the required fees; and

(E) pay the registration fee specified in §297.4 of this title (relating to Fees).

(2) Once an applicant has successfully completed all requirements of registration, and the board has determined there are no grounds to refuse registration, the applicant will be notified of registration as a registered pharmacy technician and of his or her pharmacy technician registration number. If the pharmacy technician applicant was registered as a pharmacy technician trainee at the time the pharmacy technician registration is issued, the pharmacy technician trainee registration expires.

(d) Renewal.

(1) All applicants for renewal of a pharmacy technician registration shall:

(A) complete the Texas application for registration that includes the following information:

(i) name;

(ii) addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and social security number;

(iii) meet all requirements necessary in order for the Board to access the criminal history record information, including submitting fingerprint information and being responsible for all associated costs; and

(iv) any other information requested on the application.

(B) pay the renewal fee specified in §297.4 of this title; and

(C) complete 20 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period as specified in §297.8 of this title (relating to Continuing Education).

(2) A pharmacy technician registration expires on the last day of the assigned expiration month.

(3) As specified in §568.004 of the Act, if the completed application and renewal fee are not received in the board’s office on or before the last day of the assigned expiration month, the person’s pharmacy technician registration shall expire. An expired registration shall be renewed according to the following schedule.

(A) If a pharmacy technician registration has expired for 90 days or less, the person may become registered by making application and paying to the board a renewal fee that is equal to one and one-half times the renewal fee for the registration as specified in §297.4 of this title (relating to Fees).

(B) If a pharmacy technician registration has been expired for more than 90 days but less than one year, the person may become registered by making application and paying to the board a renewal fee that is equal to two times the renewal fee for the registration as specified in §297.4 of this title.

(C) If a pharmacy technician registration has expired for more than one year, the pharmacy technician may not renew the registration and must complete the requirements for initial registration as specified in subsection (c) of this section.

(4) After review, the board may determine that paragraph (3)(C) of this subsection does not apply if the registrant is the subject of a pending investigation or disciplinary action.

(e) An individual may use the title “”Registered Pharmacy Technician”” or “”Ph.T.R.”” if the individual is registered as a pharmacy technician in this state.” “§297.5 Pharmacy Technician Trainees

(a) A person designated as a pharmacy technician trainee shall be registered with the board prior to beginning training in a Texas licensed pharmacy.

(b) A person may be designated as a pharmacy technician trainee for no more than two years and the requirements for registration as a pharmacy technician must be completed within the two year period.

§297.6 Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Technician Trainee Training

(a) Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees shall complete initial training as outlined by the pharmacist-in-charge in a training manual. Such training:

(1) shall meet the requirements of subsections (d) or (e) of this section; and

(2) may not be transferred to another pharmacy unless:

(A) the pharmacies are under common ownership and control and have a common training program; and

(B) the pharmacist-in-charge of each pharmacy in which the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee works certifies that the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee is competent to perform the duties assigned in that pharmacy.

(b) The pharmacist-in-charge shall assure the continuing competency of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees through in-service education and training to supplement initial training.

(c) The pharmacist-in-charge shall document the completion of the training program and certify the competency of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees completing the training. A written record of initial and in-service training of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees shall be maintained and contain the following information:

(1) name of the person receiving the training;

(2) date(s) of the training;

(3) general description of the topics covered;

(4) a statement that certifies that the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee is competent to perform the duties assigned;

(5) name of the person supervising the training; and

(6) signature of the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee and the pharmacist-in-charge or other pharmacist employed by the pharmacy and designated by the pharmacist-in-charge as responsible for training of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees.

(d) A person who has previously completed the training program outlined in subsection (e) of this section, a licensed nurse, or physician assistant is not required to complete the entire training program outlined in subsection (e) of this section if the person is able to show competency through a documented assessment of competency. Such competency assessment may be conducted by personnel designated by the pharmacist-in-charge, but the final acceptance of competency must be approved by the pharmacist-in-charge.

(e) Pharmacy technician and pharmacy technician trainee training shall be outlined in a training manual. Such training manual shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

(1) written procedures and guidelines for the use and supervision of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees. Such procedures and guidelines shall:

(A) specify the manner in which the pharmacist responsible for the supervision of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees will supervise such personnel and verify the accuracy and completeness of all acts, tasks, and functions performed by such personnel; and

(B) specify duties which may and may not be performed by pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees; and

(2) instruction in the following areas and any additional areas appropriate to the duties of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees in the pharmacy:

(A) Orientation;

(B) Job descriptions;

(C) Communication techniques;

(D) Laws and rules;

(E) Security and safety;

(F) Prescription drugs:

(i) Basic pharmaceutical nomenclature;

(ii) Dosage forms;

(G) Drug orders:

(i) Prescribers;

(ii) Directions for use;

(iii) Commonly-used abbreviations and symbols;

(iv) Number of dosage units;

(v) Strengths and systems of measurement;

(vi) Routes of administration;

(vii) Frequency of administration; and

(viii) Interpreting directions for use;

(H) Drug order preparation:

(i) Creating or updating patient medication records;

(ii) Entering drug order information into the computer or typing the label in a manual system;

(iii) Selecting the correct stock bottle;

(iv) Accurately counting or pouring the appropriate quantity of drug product;

(v) Selecting the proper container;

(vi) Affixing the prescription label;

(vii) Affixing auxiliary labels, if indicated; and

(viii) Preparing the finished product for inspection and final check by pharmacists;

(I) Other functions;

(J) Drug product prepackaging;

(K) Written policy and guidelines for use of and supervision of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees; and

(L) Confidential patient medication records.

(f) Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees compounding non-sterile pharmaceuticals shall meet the training and education requirements specified in the rules for the class of pharmacy in which the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee is working.

(g) Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees compounding sterile pharmaceuticals shall meet the training and education requirements specified in the rules for class of pharmacy in which the pharmacy technician or pharmacy technician trainee is working.

§297.8 Continuing Education Requirements

(a) Pharmacy Technician Trainees. Pharmacy technician trainees are not required to complete continuing education.

(b) Pharmacy Technicians.

(1) All pharmacy technicians shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements during their initial registration period.

(2) All pharmacy technicians must complete and report 20 contact hours of approved continuing education obtained during the previous renewal period in pharmacy related subjects in order to renew their registration as a pharmacy technician. No more than 5 of the 20 hours may be earned at the pharmacy technician’s workplace through in-service education and training under the direct supervision of the pharmacist(s).

(3) A pharmacy technician may satisfy the continuing education requirements by:

(A) successfully completing the number of continuing education hours necessary to renew a registration as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection;

(B) successfully completing during the preceding license period, one credit hour for each year of the renewal period, in pharmacy related college course(s); or

(C) taking and passing a pharmacy technician certification examination approved by the board during the preceding renewal period, which shall be equivalent to the number of continuing education hours necessary to renew a registration as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(4) To renew a registration, a pharmacy technician must report on the renewal application completion of at least twenty contact hours of continuing education. The following is applicable to the reporting of continuing education contact hours:

(A) at least one contact hour of the 20 contact hours specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be related to Texas pharmacy laws or rules;

(B) any continuing education requirements which are imposed upon a pharmacy technician as a part of a board order or agreed board order shall be in addition to the requirements of this section; and

(C) a pharmacy technician must have completed the human trafficking prevention course required in §116.002 of the Texas Occupations Code.

(5) Pharmacy technicians are required to maintain records of completion of continuing education for three years from the date of reporting the hours on a renewal application. The records must contain at least the following information:

(A) name of participant;

(B) title and date of program;

(C) program sponsor or provider (the organization);

(D) number of hours awarded; and

(E) dated signature of sponsor representative.

(6) The board shall audit the records of pharmacy technicians for verification of reported continuing education credit. The following is applicable for such audits.

(A) Upon written request, a pharmacy technician shall provide to the board copies of the record required to be maintained in paragraph (5) of this subsection or certificates of completion for all continuing education contact hours reported during a specified registration period. Failure to provide all requested records by the specified deadline constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation of this rule.

(B) Credit for continuing education contact hours shall only be allowed for programs for which the pharmacy technician submits copies of records reflecting that the hours were completed during the specified registration period(s). Any other reported hours shall be disallowed.

(C) A pharmacy technician who submits false or fraudulent records to the board shall be subject to disciplinary action by the board.

(7) The following is applicable if a pharmacy technician fails to report completion of the required continuing education.

(A) The registration of a pharmacy technician who fails to report completion of the required number of continuing education contact hours shall not be renewed and the pharmacy technician shall not be issued a renewal certificate for the license period until such time as the pharmacy technician successfully completes the required continuing education and reports the completion to the board.

(B) A person shall not practice as a pharmacy technician without a current renewal certificate.

(8) A pharmacy technician who has had a physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances which prohibits the pharmacy technician from obtaining continuing education credit during the preceding license period may be granted an extension of time to complete the continued education requirement. The following is applicable for this extension:

(A) The pharmacy technician shall submit a petition to the board with his/her registration renewal application which contains:

(i) the name, address, and registration number of the pharmacy technician;

(ii) a statement of the reason for the request for extension;

(iii) if the reason for the request for extension is health related, a statement from the attending physician(s) treating the pharmacy technician which includes the nature of the physical disability or illness and the dates the pharmacy technician was incapacitated; and

(iv) if the reason for the request for the extension is for other extenuating circumstances, a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances and if because of military deployment, documentation of the dates of the deployment.

(B) After review and approval of the petition, a pharmacy technician may be granted an extension of time to comply with the continuing education requirement which shall not exceed one license renewal period.

(C) An extension of time to complete continuing education credit does not relieve a pharmacy technician from the continuing education requirement during the current license period.

(D) If a petition for extension to the reporting period for continuing education is denied, the pharmacy technician shall:

(i) have 60 days to complete and report completion of the required continuing education requirements; and

(ii) be subject to the requirements of paragraph (6) of this subsection relating to failure to report completion of the required continuing education if the required continuing education is not completed and reported within the required 60-day time period.

(9) The following are considered approved programs for pharmacy technicians.

(A) Any program presented by an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) approved provider subject to the following conditions.

(i) Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for the completion of the same ACPE course only once during a renewal period.

(ii) Pharmacy technicians who present approved ACPE continuing education programs may receive credit for the time expended during the actual presentation of the program. Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for the same presentation only once during a license period.

(iii) Proof of completion of an ACPE course shall contain the following information:

(I) name of the participant;

(II) title and completion date of the program;

(III) name of the approved provider sponsoring or cosponsoring the program;

(IV) number of contact hours awarded;

(V) the assigned ACPE universal program number and a “”T”” designation indicating that the CE is targeted to pharmacy technicians; and

(VI) either:

(-a-) a dated certifying signature of the approved provider and the official ACPE logo; or

(-b-) the Continuing Pharmacy Education Monitor logo.

(B) Pharmacy related college courses which are part of a pharmacy technician training program or part of a professional degree program offered by a college of pharmacy.

(i) Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for the completion of the same course only once during a license period. A course is equivalent to one credit hour for each year of the renewal period. One credit hour is equal to 15 contact hours.

(ii) Pharmacy technicians who teach these courses may receive credit towards their continuing education, but such credit may be received only once for teaching the same course during a license period.

(C) Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses which lead to CPR certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association or its equivalent shall be recognized as approved programs. Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for one contact hour towards their continuing education requirement for completion of a CPR course only once during a renewal period. Proof of completion of a CPR course shall be the certificate issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association or its equivalent.

(D) Advanced cardiovascular life support courses (ACLS) or pediatric advanced life support (PALS) courses which lead to initial ACLS or PALS certification by the American Heart Association or its equivalent shall be recognized as approved programs. Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for twelve contact hours towards their continuing education requirement for completion of an ACLS or PALS course only once during a renewal period. Proof of completion of an ACLS or PALS course shall be the certificate issued by the American Heart Association or its equivalent.

(E) Advanced cardiovascular life support courses (ACLS) or pediatric advanced life support (PALS) courses which lead to ACLS or PALS recertification by the American Heart Association or its equivalent shall be recognized as approved programs. Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for four contact hours towards their continuing education requirement for completion of an ACLS or PALS recertification course only once during a renewal period. Proof of completion of an ACLS or PALS recertification course shall be the certificate issued by the American Heart Association or its equivalent.

(F) Attendance at Texas State Board of Pharmacy Board Meetings shall be recognized for continuing education credit as follows.

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for three contact hours towards their continuing education requirement for attending a full, public board business meeting in its entirety.

(ii) A maximum of six contact hours are allowed for attendance at a board meeting during a renewal period.

(iii) Proof of attendance for a complete board meeting shall be a certificate issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

(G) Participation in a Texas State Board of Pharmacy appointed Task Force shall be recognized for continuing education credit as follows.

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for three contact hours towards their continuing education requirement for participating in a Texas State Board of Pharmacy appointed Task Force.

(ii) Proof of participation for a Task Force shall be a certificate issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

(H) Attendance at programs presented by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy or courses offered by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy as follows:

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for the number of hours for the program or course as stated by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

(ii) Proof of attendance at a program presented by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy or completion of a course offered by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy shall be a certificate issued by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

(I) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit toward their continuing education requirements for programs or courses approved by other state boards of pharmacy as follows:

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for the number of hours for the program or course as specified by the other state board of pharmacy.

(ii) Proof of attendance at a program or course approved by another state board of pharmacy shall be a certificate or other documentation that indicates:

(I) name of the participant;

(II) title and completion date of the program;

(III) name of the approved provider sponsoring or cosponsoring the program;

(IV) number of contact hours awarded;

(V) a dated certifying signature of the provider; and

(VI) documentation that the program is approved by the other state board of pharmacy.

(J) Completion of an Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ (ISMP) Medication Safety Self-Assessment for hospital pharmacies or for community/ambulatory pharmacies shall be recognized for continuing education credit as follows.

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for three contact hours towards their continuing education requirement for completion of an ISMP Medication Safety Self-Assessment.

(ii) Proof of completion of an ISMP Medication Safety Self-Assessment shall be:

(I) a continuing education certificate provided by an ACPE approved provider for completion of an assessment; or

(II) a document from ISMP showing completion of an assessment.

(K) Programs approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) as Category 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education subject to the following conditions.

(i) Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for the completion of the same CME course only once during a license period.

(ii) Pharmacy technicians who present approved CME programs may receive credit for the time expended during the actual presentation of the program. Pharmacy technicians may receive credit for the same presentation only once during a license period.

(iii) Proof of completion of a CME course shall contain the following information:

(I) name of the participant;

(II) title and completion date of the program;

(III) name of the approved provider sponsoring or cosponsoring the program;

(IV) number of contact hours awarded; and

(V) a dated certifying signature of the approved provider.

(L) In-service education provided under the direct supervision of a pharmacist shall be recognized as continuing education as follows:

(i) Pharmacy technicians shall receive credit for the number of hours provided by pharmacist(s) at the pharmacy technician’s place of employment.

(ii) Proof of completion of in-service education shall contain the following information:

(I) name of the participant;

(II) title or description of the program;

(III) completion date of the program;

(IV) name of the pharmacist supervising the in-service education;

(V) number of hours; and

(VI) a dated signature of the pharmacist providing the in-service education.” Section 305.2 appears to be consolidated into Chapter 297.6

The data contained in this 2012 Annual Scorecard are accurate as of December 2012 .  Because statutes and regulations are continually revised, the data are subject to change.  These data have been verified with the state board of pharmacy.  This scorecard is updated on an annual basis in order to incorporate statutory and regulatory changes.  A new scorecard will be issued in July 2013.

Scoring rationale for Education and Training:
In order to protect the public and help ensure patient safety, it is important that pharmacy technicians are properly educated and trained.  The most rigorous training is accredited training.  The sole entity empowered to accredit pharmacy-technician training programs is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).  Please note that this is “programmatic accreditation” – not “institutional accreditation.”  It is the content of the training program – as measured against established standards – that is being evaluated and accredited.  Accredited training is vital to protecting patient safety because it means that a pharmacy-technician training program has met established quality standards to provide assurance and confidence to the public.  For more information, please see http://www.ashp.org/menu/Accreditation/TechnicianAccreditation.aspx.

Scoring rationale for Certification:
Certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association.  This is often determined by an examination process.  Numerous organizations have recommended that the certification exam conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) should be recognized as the sole, nationally-accredited certification exam for pharmacy technician certification – including the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In a recent report, NABP recommended that states be encouraged to “recognize certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).” Moreover, NABP performed a psychometric audit of the PTCB’s pharmacy technician certification examination (PTCE) in 2001 and determined that the PTCE is psychometrically sound, defensible, and valid. In May 2010, the TSBP awarded the PTCB with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Provider contract in Texas. PTCB was selected for the contract after a rigorous bidding and evaluation process that included formal reviews and evaluations from three independent psychometricians. TSBP confidently recognizes PTCB as the single provider of certification examinations for pharmacy technicians. In addition, in June 2010, the VA began requiring PTCB certification for VA pharmacy technicians employed at grade GS-6 and above.

Scoring rationale for Registration/Licensure:
Registration/licensure is the process by which the state maintains a list of all pharmacy technicians in the state and grants permission for an individual to work as a pharmacy technician in the state based on the applicant’s completion of all pre-requisites to registration/licensure – such as required training and certification.

Scoring rationale for Continuing Education:
Continuing education enables pharmacy technicians to fulfill their professional responsibility to maintain competence and up-to-date knowledge and skills in an environment of technological advances and increasingly complex, new medications and therapies.