Pharmacy Technician Schools and Careers Illinois

How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Illinois

Are you interested in becoming a pharmacy technician (pharmacy tech) in Illinois (IL)?  There are currently 21,490 pharmacy technicians employed in Illinois earning an average annual income of $33,140.

The good news is that demand for pharmacy technicians is growing as our population ages. Additionally chronic diseases are also on the rise. All this results in an increase in the demand for prescription medication. The Bureau for Labor Studies (BLS) predicts continued growth of 7% in the 10 year period between 2018 and 2028.

The majority of states regulate the role of pharmacy technicians either through certification or licensing or both. Find out about the requirements to become a pharmacy technician in Illinois below.

Get Started Today:

• Illinois Certification and Licensing Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians
• Top Pharmacy Tech Schools in Illinois
• How much does a Pharmacy Technician make in Illinois
• Illinois Employment Outlook for Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Tech Licensing and Certification Requirements in Illinois

You will need to register with the Illinois Board of Pharmacy to obtain a license to work as a pharmacy tech there.

The state offers 3 licensing designations;

1. Registered Pharmacy Technician
   • Registered with the Board and is licensed to work under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
   • There are no formal education or exam requirements to work as a registered pharmacy technician in Illinois however you will need to complete approved on the job training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
   • A registered pharmacy technician in Illinois can be as young as 16 years old.
2. Pharmacy Technician Student Designation
   • Registered pharmacy technician who is enrolled in a professional pharmacy degree program may use the title of student pharmacist.
3. Pharmacy Technician Certified Designation
   • Registered pharmacy technician who has graduated from an approved training program and successfully passed either the PTCB or ExCPT national certification exams.

You must renew your pharmacy tech license in Illinois every year by the 31st March.

National Certification

National certification is not an absolute requirement to work as a registered pharmacy technician in Illinois. However certification will help to improve your career prospects as a Certified Pharmacy Technician and may be beneficial should you  choose to move state in the future or should the requirements in your state change.

There are two national certifying bodies;

1. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB/ PTCE) and
2. The National Healthcareer Association Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).

Since the beginning of 2020 the PTCB requires that candidates have completed a PTCB recognized training program. The NHA requires that you have completed a training program or have 1 years work experience.

The PTCB also requires that you have registered with your state licensing board whilst the NHA has no such requirement.

Illinois Board of Pharmacy

Further details about becoming a pharmacy tech in Illinois can be obtained from the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy. You can contact them on the details below:

Phone: 217-782-8556
Website: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/phar.asp

Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois – 2023

If you wish to become a certified pharmacy technician in Illinois it is advisable that you complete an approved pharmacy technician training program.

An accredited school is one which is not just approved by the PTCB or NHA but which has also been awarded accreditation the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists/Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ASHP/ACPE) and also by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) for it’s standards in education.

There are 7 fully accredited pharmacy tech programs in Illinois with 1 candidate program;

The following schools previously appeared on the ASHP list but appear to have been removed(2023);

• Midwest Technical Institute, East Preoria
• Coyne College, Chicago

Still haven’t found a program to suit your requirements? Search pharmacy tech schools in neighboring states: Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana

Pharmacy Tech Salary in Illinois

The average salary for pharmacy technicians in Illinois is $33,140 – this is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018*.

This equates to an average hourly wage of $15.93 and is 1.3% above the national average salary of $32,700.

*The most recent salary data for 2019/2020 can be found here.

Pharmacy Tech Employment in Illinois

There are currently 21,490 persons employed as pharmacy technicians in the state.

The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of pharmacy techs across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Illinois;

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