Renewing your PCT license is crucial for maintaining your eligibility to practice as a pharmacy technician in the state of Texas.
In general, PCTs are required to renew their license every two years. If you’re nearing the end of a 2-year period, now is the right time to renew your PCT license.
In this article, we will explain how to renew a PCT license in the Lone Star State.

Eligibility Criteria for Renewal

Before applying for renewal, it’s important to ensure you’re eligible to do so.

There is no single body that certifies PCTs in Texas. So different organizations have slightly different renewal periods and requirements. You need to check your eligibility with the organization through whom you received your certification.

However, for most organizations, you will need to complete a certain number of Continuing Education (CE) credits to demonstrate ongoing knowledge and skills before you can renew your license. The exact number might differ based on your certification body. For example, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) requires 10 CE credits for CPCT/A renewal every two years, while the National Center for Competency Testing requires you to complete certain CE hours either from its online CE library or from other recognized providers.

Since the eligibility criteria for every organization vary, it is important to check with your certifying body before applying for PCT license renewal in Texas.

Instances Where You May Become Ineligible for Renewal

Certain circumstances may render you ineligible for renewal of your PCT license in Texas, including:

• Failure to complete the required continuing education or training hours within the renewal period.
• Suspension, revocation, or disciplinary action against your license by the TSBP (Texas State Board of Pharmacy) or the certifying body.
• Failure to pay the renewal fee by the specified deadline.
• Violation of any state or federal laws governing pharmacy practice.

In most cases, applicants get rejected because they have not completed the required CE hours as detailed by the agency. Therefore, before applying for renewals, complete the courses and meet the CE hours. Most agencies offer online courses that you can access from anywhere, anytime. So enroll and complete the courses first.

Renewing vs Reinstating

Another thing to note is that renewing your license is not the same as reinstating. Renewing means you have continued your patient care technician course or paperwork, and your license hasn’t expired yet.

Reinstating means you are reactivating your license after it has become inactive or lapsed. This can happen due to reasons like failing to renew on time or not meeting CE requirements.

The process for reinstatement can be more complex and might involve additional steps like completing additional CE credits, passing an exam, or paying late fees. It is always better to try to renew your license before it lapses.

Steps to Renew Your PCT License in Texas

After you’ve checked the eligibility requirements and ensured you fulfill them, proceed with the renewal process. While the exact steps may vary since there’s no single certifying body for PCTs in Texas, here are some general steps:

1. Gather the required documents

The certifying agency will request some documents to check your eligibility for PCT renewal.

Here are the documents you must gather:

• Current PCT certificate (Whether it is expired or not)
• Proof of Continuing Education (CE) completion. Educational institutes will award a Certificate of Completion once you complete their courses. Make sure that the certificates come from accredited providers and clearly outline the course name, date of completion, and number of CE hours earned.
• CPR Certification (if required). Some PCT certifications might mandate maintaining a valid CPR certification for renewal.
• Government ID. In some cases, your certification body might request a copy of a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport) for verification purposes.

The issuing agency may request other documents. Gather them and ensure all of the documents are up-to-date and authentic.

2. Complete the PCT renewal application

Once you have the documents, you need to fill out an application confirming that you want to renew your license.

Most certification bodies offer online renewal applications through their websites. If you have been certified by the National Center for Competency Testing, you need to visit its continuing education section to fill out the application. The same goes for NHA and AMCA (American Medical Certification Association).

But there’s also an option to complete the application offline at the center. Either way, complete the renewal application to renew the license. You might need to enter details of the CE courses you completed, such as course titles, completion dates, and the number of CE hours earned for each course. So, keep all the information handy and readily accessible when completing the application.

Also, double-check before submitting. Incorrect submissions may get rejected or delayed.

3. Pay the renewal fees

Along with the application, you need to pay the renewal fees. The fees vary by the certifying agency. For reference, The NHA renewal costs $185 every 2 years.

If you are paying online, make sure the website uses a secure payment gateway to process your credit card information. Look for security indicators like HTTPS in the website address bar.

In some instances, a printable application form might be available on the website, which you can complete and mail along with required documents and a check for the renewal fee. Double-check the website for instructions on whether this is an option.

Upon successful submission and payment, you should receive a confirmation email or notification on the platform acknowledging your application and fee payment. Keep the receipt secured for future reference. You may have to submit the details when obtaining your new license.

4. Take a test, if required

Most certification bodies, including the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), do not require a new exam for PCT license renewal as long as your license remains active. Renewal typically involves completing CE credits and paying a renewal fee.

However, if your license has become inactive due to non-renewal for an extended period, you might be required to pass an exam as part of the reinstatement process.

In rare cases, if the core competencies tested on the initial certification exam have undergone significant changes, some certification bodies might require passing a new exam upon renewal.

You will receive further information if you’re required to undergo a written examination. If so, be prepared and go through the exam curriculum before taking the test.

5. Track progression and maintain records

The last step is to track your renewal progression. After you’ve submitted the documents, paid the fees, and taken any required examinations, your status will be in review mode. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to verify and renew your license.

Until then, it is important to track the application and check the updates. Applications may get rejected for several reasons and require correction or a call to reapply. Once your renewal is confirmed, all you need to do is to continue to renew your PCT license in Texas every two years, or as required by the certifying body.

Summary

In conclusion, renewing your PCT license in Texas is a critical step in maintaining your ability to help people. But, since there is no central authority, the renewal process varies. By adhering to renewal requirements and following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and successful renewal process.