Gaining Pre-Pharmacy Experience

Find ways to get experience in the pharmacy field before you attend pharmacy school.

Gaining experience is an important part of the pharmacy school application process. There are many different ways to do this. Check out our resources to get some ideas:

UT Austin Volunteer Opportunities:

Pharmacy Technician Certification:

Obtaining your pharmacy technician certification can help you in many ways. It can help you to get a job in the pharmacy field and gain valuable experience. It can also open doors for shadowing opportunities and is a good option to explore if you are considering applying to pharmacy school.  

Getting Your Pharmacy Technician Certification: 

Beginning in January 2020, candidates must complete a PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)-Recognized Education/Training Program OR equivalent work experience in order to be eligible to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. To be eligible for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, a candidate must complete one of the following two pathways:

Pathway 1: 

1) Take a course via a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program (or completion within 60 days). Candidates choose from more than 1,400 recognized programs.

2) Take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) via the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

  •  (PTCB) has a national certification program that enables pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. PTCB administers a nationally accredited certification examination for pharmacy technicians which tests knowledge in all practice settings.

3) Once you pass your exam, apply for your Pharmacy Technician Certification through (PTCB). 

4) Don't forget! Apply to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in the state of Texas

  • Application for Texas State Pharmacy Technician Registration Application. Complete this if you are certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), complete the online application link above to register as a Pharmacy Technician in Texas.

Pathway 2:

  • Submit equivalent work experience as a Pharmacy Technician in order to be eligible to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. 
  • Take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)  via the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
    •  (PTCB) has a national certification program that enables pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. PTCB administers a nationally accredited certification examination for pharmacy technicians which tests knowledge in all practice settings.
  • Once you pass your exam, apply for your Pharmacy Technician Certification through (PTCB).
  • Don't forget! Apply to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician in the state of Texas.

Application for Texas State Pharmacy Technician Registration Application. Complete this if you are certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), complete the online application link above to register as a Pharmacy Technician in Texas.