Pharmacy Technician Schools Currently Accepting Applicants in Illinois
Pharmacy Technician Schools and Programs in Illinois
![Pharmacy Technician](/img/Pharmacy-Technician-Schools-Image2.jpg)
8 Best Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois for 2024
(Following is a list of schools offering the best pharmacy technician programs in Illinois)
#1. Southeastern Illinois College - Harrisburg
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Located in Harrisburg, the Southeastern Illinois College was founded in 1960. The college ranks 6th in the state for certificate and degree completion and is known to have one of the most affordable tuition rates in the state of IL. Through it career focussed education SIC helps students realize their goals. SIC offers a certificate program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for aspiring pharmacy technicians. The program prepares students with the training, knowledge and skills to start working as an entry level pharmacy technician. Graduates of this program are successfully employed in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and outpatient care centers.
#2. Malcolm X College - Chicago, Illinois
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Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: Certificate program of 33 credit hours
#3. Oakton Community College - Des Plaines & Skokie
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#4. Coyne College - Chicago
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Program Length: 42 Weeks
#5. Rasmussen College-Illinois - Rockford, Aurora, Mokena & Romeoville
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Program Length: 9 months
#6. South Suburban College - South Holland, Illinois
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Accreditation: ASHP
Program Length: 39 credit hours
#7. Rend Lake College - Ina, Mt. Vernon & Pinckneyville
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Program Length: 16 Weeks
#8. Lincoln Trail College - Robinson
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Program Length: 40 Weeks
Midwest Technical Institute - East Peoria, Springfield
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Accreditation:ASHP
Program Length: 9 to 12 months
Richland Community College - Decatur
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Program Length: 1 Year
What are the Requirements to Work as a Pharmacy Technician in Illinois?
Illinois necessitates registration for certification with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation for you to work as a pharmacy technician. To register you must submit an application along with a fee. You should have trained from an accredited pharmacy technician training program and it is essential that you pass the PTCB certification exam in order to apply for your license.
Registration/Licensure | Yes |
Training | Yes |
Certification | Yes |
Pharmacy Technician to Pharmacist Ratio | 1/2 to 1 |
Continuing Education | Yes |
Certification Maintenance | No |
(source: ptcb.org) |
Education
Step 1: You need a high school diploma or a GED.
Step 2: You must meet one of the following criteria:
1) Complete a certificate program or diploma course which takes 9 months to 1 year.
2) Complete the associate degree in pharmacy technology which takes around 2 years
If you decide on formal training, ensure that you choose one that is certified by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs accredited by the ASHP comply with the recommended requirements which make passing the certification exam easy.
Certification: Certification is required to work as a pharmacy technician in IL. Approved certification examinations are PTCB and ExCPT, although PTCB is widely preferred.
Licensure: Illinois requires getting a license, although you may start working with a pharmacist for up to 60 days whilst awaiting the approval, provided you submit a copy of the application form. Requirements to get a license are:
• You should be 18 years or older.
• Submit a high school diploma or a GED.
• Once certified, you can apply to be a licensed pharmacy technician by providing attestation of graduation from the training program.
• You must apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician at the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy.
• Submit the result of your PTCE or ExCPT exams as verification.
License needs to be renewed annually. Licenses expire on March 31 irrespective of the date of issue.
Choosing the Right Pharmacy Technician School in Illinois
Explore the various features of pharmacy technician training programs in Illinois and make a well-informed decision regarding a school. Your choice may depend upon:
Accreditation: It is very vital that you select a school which is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Type of Program: Schools in IL provide a certificate/diploma program of 10 months or an associate degree program of 2 years. Out of the 21 schools, 20 provide certificate course, while 3 provide an associate degree course. Exploring the expenses that you will incur and the length of the training program, you can make your mind up about the type of program that is well-matched to your career goals.
Financial Aid: Most schools in Illinois help students with grants and loans. To apply for a loan, fill up the FAFSA (Free Application and Federal Student Aid) and submit it; the school will then come to a decision whether you are entitled to financial assistance.
Admission Requirements For Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois
Before you make your decision regarding which school is most suitable for you, you must survey and look in to the admission prerequisites of various schools and colleges. Let us view the admission requirements of MidWest Technical Institute:
• Call and make an appointment to meet with the admissions representative.
• Submit a copy of high school diploma or GED.
• Submit an identification card.
Employment Opportunities
In Illinois, you can look forward to employment at - Walgreens, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Presence Health, ResCare, University of Chicago Medicine, and Silver Cross Hospital
Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Illinois
The average annual salary of a pharmacy technician in Illinois is $37,090. The state had 21,660 employed pharmacy technicians in 2016; and it has been projected to grow to 22,800 by 2030. Employment is estimated to rise much faster than the national average through 2020-2030, and job projections emerge as excellent.
Pharmacy Technicians Currently Working in IL | 10 Year Job Growth | Annual Vacancies | Average Starting Salary | Average Annual Salary | ||
2020 | 2030 | % Growth | ||||
21,660 | 20,520 | 22,800 | 11.11% | 1,750 | $29,040 | $37,090 |
Pharmacy Technician Related Organizations in Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation - State Board of Pharmacy: IDFPR is the licensing board for pharmacy technician in the state of Illinois. As licensure is required in IL, you are required to apply to the board to obtain your pharmacy technician license as well as license renewal.
Illinois Pharmacists Association: Illinois Pharmacists Association was formed to offer membership benefits to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, students of pharmacy and other professionals of the pharmaceutical field. By being a member, you will get an opportunity to make connections, attend educational events, get news updates about the latest happenings in the pharmaceutical world and advocacy to protect your professional rights as a pharmacy technician.
North Suburban Pharmacists of Chicagoland (NSP): By being a member of the NSP, you will be part of a Pharmacy Association which provides networking opportunities with other members of the pharmaceutical field and continuing education, being imperative to the success of your career as a pharmacy technician.
View Complete List of Pharmacy Technician Schools in Illinois
School Name | Location | Type | Accredited | Program Link | |
1 | City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College | Chicago | Public | No | Visit |
2 | City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College | Chicago | Public | No | |
3 | City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College | Chicago | Public | No | |
4 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | No | Visit |
5 | Coyne College | Chicago | Private for-profit | No | Visit |
6 | Lincoln Trail College | Robinson | Public | No | Visit |
7 | Malcolm X College | Chicago | Public | Yes | Visit |
8 | Midstate College | Peoria | Private for-profit | No | Visit |
9 | Midwest Technical Institute - East Peoria | East Peoria | Private for-profit | Yes | Visit |
10 | Midwest Technical Institute - Springfield | Springfield | Private for-profit | Yes | |
11 | Midwest Technical Institute - Moline | Moline | Private for-profit | No | |
12 | Northwest Suburban College | Rollng Meadows | Private not-for-profit | No | Visit |
13 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines | Public | No | Visit |
14 | Rasmussen College - Illinois | Rockford | Private for-profit | No | Visit |
15 | Rend Lake College | Ina | Public | No | Visit |
16 | Richland Community College | Decatur | Public | No | Visit |
17 | Robert Morris University Illinois | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | No | |
18 | South Suburban College | South Holland | Public | Yes | Visit |
19 | Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg | Public | No | Visit |
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