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How to become a pharmacy technician in Illinois. National certification (PTCE/ExCPT) required. Formal training program required. Total initial fees: $169+. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Pharmacy Technician
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Board of Pharmacy
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
79% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Registered
Credential Type
Yes
National Cert Required
Yes
Formal Program Required
$169+
Total Initial Fees
20 hrs
CE Hours
Annual (expires March 31)
Renewal Period
Regulation Status
VerifiedCredential Type
Registered
Official Title
Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT) and Registered Certified Pharmacy Technician (RCPT)
State-Regulated Profession
Regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Board of Pharmacy
Minimum Age
Education Level
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Drug Screening
Immunization Requirements
Pharmacist supervision required
YesTechnician-to-Pharmacist Ratio
National Certification Required
Accepted Certification Exams
PTCE
from PTCB · $129
ExCPT
from NHA
Certification Deadline
Must obtain PTCE or ExCPT certification and add Certified designation by second renewal
On-the-Job Training Alternative
Formal program or certification required
Formal Training Program
Program Accreditation
ACPE/ASHP-accredited program required since January 1, 2024
Topics Covered
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Application fee paid to IDFPR | $40 |
Exam Fee (PTCE/ExCPT) PTCE exam fee paid to PTCB; ExCPT exam fee is $125 (paid to NHA) | $129 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprint-based background check fee paid to vendor | Varies |
Total Initial Fees $40 application + $129 PTCE exam + fingerprinting fee | $169+ |
Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties (Pharmacist Only)
Can Administer Immunizations
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified20
State CE Hours
20
PTCB Recert Hours
Annual (expires March 31)
Renewal Period
Continuing Education Required
Renewal Fee
$25
Annual renewal fee
Regulatory Board
PTCB recertification requires 20 CE hours per 2-year cycle, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. State CE requirements may overlap with PTCB requirements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
PTCB Certification Transfers
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require pharmacy technicians to apply for a new credential in the destination state, even if they hold national certification. Requirements vary by state.
Illinois requires completion of an ACPE/ASHP-accredited program since January 1, 2024. Renewal is annual (not biennial). Mandatory CE includes sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias hours in addition to standard pharmacy law and patient safety. Two tiers exist: RPT (age 16+) and RCPT (age 18+).
ACPE/ASHP-accredited pharmacy technician program has been required since January 1, 2024
Two-tier system: Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT) minimum age 16, Registered Certified Pharmacy Technician (RCPT) minimum age 18
Renewal is annual (not biennial) with 20 CE hours required per 24-month period
Mandatory CE includes 1 hour law, 1 hour patient safety, 1 hour sexual harassment prevention, and 1 hour implicit bias
Technicians may administer immunizations to persons age 7 and older with ACPE-accredited training
No state-mandated technician-to-pharmacist ratio
Technician Checking Technician (TCT) role available with technology-assisted verification
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#20 of 51
Cost
#42 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Pharmacy Technicians (SOC 29-2052)
Entry Level
$37,460
25th percentile
Median
$44,610
+3% vs. national avg ($43,460)Experienced
$48,310
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
22,790 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Pharmacy Technicians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+2.7%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+12,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
46,200
per year (avg.)
461,400 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Pharmacy Career Ladder+205% salary growth potential
You are here
Pharmacy Technician
$44,610
Training program + PTCB/ExCPT certification
You are here
Pharmacy Technician
Training program + PTCB/ExCPT certification
$44,610
PharmD degree (4 years) + NAPLEX + MPJE
$135,880
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 32–62 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for the PTCE and ExCPT certification exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Illinois requires national certification (PTCE or ExCPT) to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT) and Registered Certified Pharmacy Technician (RCPT). All licensing is managed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Board of Pharmacy.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Pharmacy.