(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Active duty--Current full-time military service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military service as a member of the Texas military forces, or similar military service of another state.
  (2) Armed forces of the United States--The army, navy, air force, space force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.
  (3) Military service member--A person who is on active duty.
  (4) Military spouse--A person who is married to a military service member.
  (5) Military veteran--A person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.
(b) Alternative registration procedure. For the purpose of §55.004, Occupations Code, an applicant for a pharmacy technician registration who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse may complete the following alternative procedures for registering as a pharmacy technician.
  (1) An applicant who holds a current registration as a pharmacy technician issued by another state but does not have a current pharmacy technician certification certificate shall meet the requirements for registration as a pharmacy technician trainee as specified in §297.3 of this chapter (relating to Registration Requirements).
  (2) An applicant who held a pharmacy technician registration in Texas that expired within the five years preceding the application date who meets the following requirements may be granted a pharmacy technician registration. The applicant:
    (A) shall complete the Texas application for registration that includes the following:
      (i) name;
      (ii) addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, and social security number; and
      (iii) any other information requested on the application;
    (B) shall provide documentation to include:
      (i) military identification indicating that the applicant is a military service member, military veteran, or military dependent, if a military spouse; and
      (ii) marriage certificate, if the applicant is a military spouse; applicant's spouse is on active duty status;
    (C) be exempt from the application fees paid to the board set forth in §297.4(a) and (b)(2) of this chapter (relating to Fees);
    (D) shall meet all necessary requirements in order for the board to access the criminal history records information, including submitting fingerprint information and such criminal history check does not reveal any charge or conviction for a crime that §281.64 of this title (relating to Sanctions for Criminal Offenses) indicates a sanction of denial, revocation, or suspension; and
    (E) is not required to have a current pharmacy technician certification certificate.
(c) Expedited registration procedure. For the purpose of §55.005, Occupations Code, an applicant for a pharmacy technician registration who is a military service member, military veteran or military spouse and who holds a current registration as a pharmacy technician issued by another state or who held a pharmacy technician registration in Texas that expired within the five years preceding the application date may complete the following expedited procedures for registering as a pharmacy technician.
  (1) The applicant 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;
    (B) have taken and passed a pharmacy technician certification examination approved by the board and have a current certification certificate;
    (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) shall be exempt from the registration fee as specified in §297.4(b)(2) of this chapter.
  (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.
  (3) All applicants for renewal of an expedited pharmacy technician registration issued to a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse shall comply with the renewal procedures as specified in §297.3 of this chapter.
(d) License renewal. As specified in §55.003, Occupations Code, a military service member who holds a pharmacy technician registration is entitled to two years of additional time to complete any requirements related to the renewal of the military service member's registration.
  (1) A military service member who fails to renew their pharmacy technician registration in a timely manner because the individual was serving as a military service member shall submit to the board:
    (A) name, address, and registration number of the pharmacy technician;
    (B) military identification indicating that the individual is a military service member; and
    (C) a statement requesting up to two years of additional time to complete the renewal.
  (2) A military service member specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be exempt from fees specified in §297.3(d)(3) of this chapter.
  (3) A military service member specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection is entitled to two additional years of time to complete the continuing education requirements specified in §297.8 of this title (relating to Continuing Education Requirements).
(e) Interim registration for military service member or military spouse. In accordance with §55.0041, Occupations Code, a military service member or military spouse who is currently registered in good standing by a jurisdiction with registration requirements that are substantially equivalent to the registration requirements in this state may be issued an interim pharmacy technician registration. The military service member or military spouse:
  (1) shall provide documentation to include:
    (A) a notification of intent to practice form including any additional information requested;
    (B) proof of the military service member or military spouse's residency in this state, including a copy of the permanent change of station order for the military service member to whom the military spouse is married;
    (C) a copy of the military service member or military spouse's military identification card; and
    (D) verification from the jurisdiction in which the military service member or military spouse holds an active pharmacy technician registration that the military service member or military spouse's registration is in good standing;
  (2) may not engage in pharmacy technician duties in this state until issued an interim pharmacy technician registration;
  (3) may hold an interim pharmacy technician registration only for the period during which the military service member or military service member to whom the military spouse is married is stationed at a military installation in this state, but not to exceed three years from the date of issuance of the interim registration; and
  (4) may not renew the interim pharmacy technician registration.
(f) Subsection (e) of this section establishes requirements and procedures authorized or required by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 55, and does not modify or alter rights that may be provided under federal law.

Source Note: The provisions of this §297.10 adopted to be effective March 13, 2012, 37 TexReg 1706; amended to be effective January 7, 2014, 39 TexReg 78; amended to be effective December 6, 2015, 40 TexReg 8789; amended to be effective June 12, 2016, 41 TexReg 4258; amended to be effective January 4, 2018, 42 TexReg 7709; amended to be effective December 9, 2019, 44 TexReg 7547; amended to be effective December 7, 2021, 46 TexReg 8253; amended to be effective December 4, 2023, 48 TexReg 7061; amended to be effective March 7, 2024, 49 TexReg 1474