Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois
Illinois, the " Prairie State" is home to 21,090 salaried pharmacy technicians of which 11,561 are actively certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The pharmaceutical industry is growing in Illinois and pharmacy technicians are in demand and in particular those that are certified. An individual interested in a pharmacy technology career should research the Illinois pharmacy technician schools.
To become certified (CPhT) you need to pass the national certification exam.
A formal pharmacy technician training program will help prepare students to sit the exam. There are several training options for individuals interested in becoming pharmacy technicians in Illinois:
- Certificate programs (typically less than a year) or,
- Diploma programs (typically one year) or,
- Associate degree program (typically two years long)
The pharmacy technician program will most likely include an internship which will give you hands-on experience necessary to work in an actual pharmacy.
Upon completion of a pharmacy technician training program students are prepared for entry-level employment in retail and hospital pharmacies and pharmacies within medical and doctor's offices. In addition students are also prepared to take the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination offered by PTCB.
Featured Pharmacy Technician Programs
Top Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois
Below are training schools that offer pharmacy technician programs in the state of Illinois.
As a general rule, you should always request information from more than one school during the course of your research as there are important differences between the training programs offered in each school i.e.: cost, admissions requirements, courses and curriculum as well as starting dates.
Blessing Hospital, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, 1005 Oak Quincy, IL 62301. Phone: (217) 228-5520
EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center, 500 E. Ogden Avenue Suite 208 Naperville, IL 60563. Phone: 630-269-7431
CVS Health, 2454 S. Alpine Rd. Rockford IL 61108. Phone: (815) 399-5421
Jethro Healthcare, 650 W Algonquin Rd., 2nd Floor, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Phone: 847-258-5783
Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Road Malta, IL 60150. Phone: 815-825-2086
Malcolm X College, Pharmacy Technology Program, 1900 W. Van Buren St. 3rd Flr. Room: 3524, Chicago, IL 60612. Phone: (312) 850-7385
Midwest Technical Institute, 2731 Farmers Market Road, Springfield, IL 62707. Phone: (217) 527-8324
Northwest Suburban College, 5999 S. New Wilke Rd. Bldg. #500 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-4504. Phone: 847-290-6425
Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road Des Plaines, IL 60016. Phone: 847.635.1600
Rasmussen College, 6000 East State Street 4th Floor Rockford, Illinois 61108. Phone 815-316-4800
RX Tech Prep, 7210 E.State Street, Rockford, IL 61107. Phone: (888) 560-5953
Walgreen Co., 200 Wilmot Road MS#2194, Deerfield, IL 60015. Phone: (847) 914-2260
Do I need pharmacy technician certification in Illinois?
Within 2 years after being employed as a registered technician, a pharmacy tech must become certified by successfully passing the PTCB examination or ICPT (Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) examination in order to continue to perform pharmacy technician's duties. This requirement does not apply to pharmacy technicians hired prior to January 1, 2008.
Illinois pharmacy technician license requirements
In order to work as a pharmacy technician in the state of Illinois you will need a pharmacy technician license. You can apply for a registered pharmacy technician license which requires a high school diploma or its equivalency. The application form is available from the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation website and needs to be accompanied with a fee of $40.
You have two renewal periods from the date that your license is issued to become certified.
What does a pharmacy technician make in Illinois?
The average Illinois pharmacy technician salary is $16.32 per hour or $33,950 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).
Entry level pharmacy techs earn an average of $11.60 per hour whilst experienced and certified pharmacy techs earn between $16.32 and $23.62 per hour.
Illinois pharmacy technician schools prepare students to assist licensed pharmacists in the preparation and dispensing of medications. Students will learn basic medical concepts and engage in in-depth study regarding drugs. When they complete the program, they will be prepared to obtain a job within either a hospital or a retail location such as a pharmacy.
To advance in this career individuals move into a supervisory role within the pharmacy which also commands a higher salary. Still others go on to become a licensed pharmacist with some additional training. Finally others move into pharmaceutical sales or become a chemotherapy or oncology technician.
Other pharmacy technician school guides and locations in Illinois: