Etizolam is an emerging new psychoactive substance (NPS) with sedative effects similar to benzodiazepines, which is increasingly being detected in illicit markets. In Chile, its recent appearance in seized samples underscores the necessity for straightforward, expeditious, and cost-effective analytical instruments for routine forensic screening. The present study proposes a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method that facilitates rapid identification and quantification of etizolam with minimal sample preparation and reduced solvent consumption. The method exhibited adequate selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy, thus fulfilling validation requirements for the intended forensic purpose. Its straightforward implementation and low cost make it especially suitable for routine analysis of seized materials in forensic laboratories with limited resources.