Pharmacy Technician Programs in Naperville, IL
The demand for pharmacy technicians in Illinois and all over the US are currently in very high demand and this demand is expected to continue.
To enter this healthcare field, you’ll need to pass an accredited course and take the certification exam. The first step however, is finding affordable pharmacy technician training.
In this article, we will share a list of pharmacy technician schools in Naperville, IL to help you find a program that’s the right fit for you on your educational and career path.
What are the legal requirements to work as a pharmacy technician in Illinois?
If you want to become a pharmacy technician in Naperville, IL, you must be at least 18 years old, with a High School Diploma/GED, and should complete a pharmacy technician course.
The Pharmacy Technician Program can be obtained through an approved education institution - usually accredited and recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Board Certification (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The State Board of Illinois requires either PTCB or ExCPT certifications to perform pharmacy technical duties in the state.
Pharmacy technician license is required in Illinois but you can already work while waiting for the application approval.
Moreover, the requirement for a pharmacy technician is dictated by the Illinois Board of Pharmacy. Applicants need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or Exam for the Certifications of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) to qualify as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
After passing, you need to take continuing education and re-certify every two years.
What is the salary and employment outlook for pharmacy technicians in Naperville, IL?
Once you qualify as a CPhT in Illinois, you can work in various settings such as hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and independent drugstores.
Pharmacy technicians work for long hours, sometimes 24 hours. So, you may be working during the day, night, or weekends.
Working as a pharmacy technician in Naperville, IL brings more opportunities in terms of career and employment growth. The projected growth rate is approximately 12% from 2016 to 2026 - faster than any other occupation.
According to the latest data, the median annual pay for pharmacy technicians in Illinois is $32,110 with an average earning of $15.44 per hour.
In comparison in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, pharmacy technicians on average earn $32,360 or $15.56 per hour.
On the higher end of the scale workers can earn as much as $48,300 or $23.22 per hour.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Naperville, IL
There is a wide selection of Pharmacy Technician Schools in Naperville, IL. It is important to find the right school that fits your budget, time, and skills needed.
So, let’s take a close look at some of them:
Northwest Suburban College [Rolling Meadows, IL]
5999 S. New Wilke Rd. Bldg. #500 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-4504 | 
847-290-6425
Northwest Suburban College (NWSC) offers an 8-month Pharmacy Technician Program that will equip students with competitive skills that are needed in pharmacy settings in a hospital, retail stores, pharmacies, and home healthcare.
The program is recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - PTCB recognized school is the primary pathway towards becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
NWSC can help you prepare for the PTCB and ExCPT administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
The program consists of 360 hours of classroom time and 240 hours of externship. Daytime classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
NWSC students are eligible for institutional grants depending on the student’s financial situation. Students can also apply for tuition installment administered by Tuition Financing Corporation (TFC) and other external scholarship resources.
Oakton Community College [Des Plaines, IL]
1600 E. Golf Road Des Plaines, IL 60016 | 847.635.1600
Oakton Community College has more than 2500 course offerings with 80 areas of studies including healthcare - Pharmacy Technician Certificate is one of them.
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate consists of seven credit hours with zero to two hours of Pharmacy Technician internship which can be completed in one semester.
The course is divided into two parts which are ML125 at $75 and ML 251 at $25. The first one includes lectures and the second one consists of lab work.
Classes are held online, face to face, or hybrid. The prerequisites for the coursework include a copy of the High School Diploma and placement test. For completing the internship, a State of Illinois Pharmacy Technician license is required.
Upon completion graduates may enter careers in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, mail order facilities, managed care, pharmaceuticals, long term/home health care, and nuclear pharmacy.
Rasmussen College
2363 Sequoia Drive Aurora, IL 60506 | (888) 549-6755
Rasmussen College is located in six states with 24 campuses all over the US.
It is a PTCB recognized school that offers a 9 month-Pharmacy Technician Certificate made up of 38 credit hours to aspiring pharmacy techs in Illinois.
After finishing the program, students are prepared to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or ExCPT which are both valued by employers and also included in the total program costs.
The Pharmacy Technician Certificate program can be finished in nine months and classes are held online. Field experience is also required. Contact the school administration for the class schedule.
The prerequisites for the program include submitting previous college transcripts and signing enrollment forms which are sent to the student by the enrollment officer.
Students can also apply for financial aid and other grants through the school’s admission advisor.
The estimated cost for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate is $12,340 for full-time students and students can pay for it by completing the application for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
EnVaNa Healthcare Training Center
500 E. Ogden Avenue Suite 208 Naperville, IL 60563 | 630-269-7431
The EnVana Healthcare Training Center is located in Naperville, Illinois.
The school offers a Pharmacy Technician Program with training and lectures on principles and practices that relate to the pharmacy technician’s duties and responsibilities.
The program prepares students to take the PTCB exam to earn the title of CPhT.
It consists of 60 hours of credit certified by the NHA. The cost of the program varies but it ranges from $120 to $125. Plus, a registration fee of $60 is needed to secure a seat in the class.
The prerequisites of the program include a copy of ID, High School Diploma, Social Security Card, TB test results, and background check which can be done at school at $40.
Jethro Healthcare
650 W Algonquin Rd., 2nd Floor, Des Plaines, IL 60016 | 847-258-5783
Jethro Healthcare is in Des Plaines, IL and the training institution specializes in healthcare courses such as the Pharmacy Technician program.
Pharmacy Technician is one of the first programs that was offered and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The school is also recognized by NHA and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The Pharmacy Technician course is a 10-week program with three weeks of externship. Classes are held once a week depending on the schedule.
The cost of the course is $990 which can be staggered in three payments. Books and CPR are included in the tuition.
The prerequisites of the course include passing the aptitude test, proficiency in Math, basic MS Word skills, good command of English, and a copy of a High School diploma or equivalent.
After completing the program, the students are prepared for the PTCB exam and ExCPT which are requirements to become a registered pharmacy tech in Illinois and all over the country.
Malcolm X College
1900 W. Jackson Chicago, IL 60612 | (312) 850-7000
Malcolm X College offers a Pharmacy Technology Program which is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
The program runs for three short semesters with 37 credit hours. It is divided into 12 sections with lectures and lab hours included.
The school also offers online classes. Graduates of the Pharmacy Technology Advanced Certificate Program are prepared to sit for certification exams such as PTCE, ExCPT, and CSPT.
To be admitted, you'll require:
- official high school or GED transcript
- Min. cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Eligible for English 101
- Elible for Math 118 or college level Math
This is a low cost financial aid eligible program with tuition being only $4,672 for In-District City of Chicago, $12,288 for Out-of-District and $15,392 for Out-of-State students total for the entire program.
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