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Prepare to take the NHA or PTCE national certification exam
100% online followed by in-person externship
Job interview prep and resume services
ASHP/ACPE-accredited program
1:1 support from enrollment to employment
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What You’ll Learn
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Weeks 1-4
Learn the foundational healthcare knowledge you need to become a well-rounded pharmacy technician and start diving into pharmacy practice.
Weeks 5-9
Master the ins and outs of pharmacology and get hands-on with pharmacy calculations and prescription medications.
Weeks 10-14
Develop skills in processing and dispensing prescriptions, and prepare for the NHA ExCPT Exam with mock tests and a comprehensive review of key pharmacy concepts.
Weeks 15+
Apply everything you learned online and earn clinical hours in a pharmacy setting. Our experienced coaches will help polish your resume, prepare you for interviews, and support you in your full-time job search.
Online Pharmacy Tech classes at your own schedule
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01
Get your high school diploma or GED
To register as a certified pharmacy technician in Illinois, you must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
02
Complete a pharmacy technician training course
Training courses help you prepare for the certification exam and gain the knowledge needed to work in a pharmacy.
Here at Stepful, we cover essential topics like pharmacology, prescriptions, pharmacy calculations, and more. Stepful’s online course is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), ensuring a high-quality education.
03
Complete a pharmacy technician externship
An externship gives you a chance to apply your classroom learning in a real-world setting. You'll work alongside licensed pharmacists in retail or hospital pharmacies.
Stepful works with thousands of pharmacy partners and can help students connect with externship opportunities across Illinois.*
* Please note that students must be available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., to be eligible for externship support.
04
Pass a pharmacy technician certification exam
To become a certified pharmacy technician in Illinois, you must pass a national certification exam, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam or NHA's ExCPT exam.
Stepful’s students have a 75% pass rate for the NHA exam, 12 points above the national average.
05
Start your career as a certified pharmacy technician
Before you start working as a pharmacy technician in Illinois, you must apply for a pharmacy technician license.
Once you're certified and licensed, you can begin working in pharmacies throughout Illinois. Pharmacy technicians are needed in hospitals, retail pharmacies, specialty clinics, and mail-order services.
Stepful career counselors will help you prepare for your job search with resume reviews, mock interviews, and one-on-one coaching.
To become a certified pharmacy technician in Illinois, you must complete a pharmacy technician training course and pass a national certification exam, such as the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam or NHA's ExCPT exam.
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In Illinois, a license issued by the state is required before you can legally work as a pharmacy technician. To receive a license as a certified pharmacy technician, you must:
- Complete an online application and pay a fee
- Provide proof of completion of a pharmacy technician training program
Detailed requirements for license applications can be found on the IDFPR website.
Pharmacy technicians are in steady demand across Illinois. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 22,950 pharmacy technicians working in Illinois. That’s 3.8 pharmacy tech jobs per 1,000 jobs in the state.
The average pharmacy technician salary in Illinois is $42,850 per year, or $20.60 an hour. Opportunities for even higher pay exist in hospitals and specialized pharmacies, depending on your skills and how much experience you have.
The highest demand for pharmacy techs is in these metro areas:
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: By far the largest job market for pharmacy techs, the Chicago metro area employs 17,170 pharmacy techs.
- St. Louis, MO-IL: This metro area employs an additional 4,930 pharmacy techs.
- Peoria: A strong healthcare hub, this metro area employs 630 pharmacy techs.
Nationally, the BLS projects strong job growth for pharmacy technicians. An increase of 7% is expected in the field from 2023 to 2033 nationwide, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
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$42,850
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7% Growth
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22,950
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Professional organizations in Illinois and nationally can provide networking, career resources, and continuing education. Here are some organizations that support pharmacy technicians:
- The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of pharmacists, advancing the standards of pharmacy practice, improving pharmacists’ effectiveness in assuring rational drug use in society, and leading in the resolution of public policy issues affecting pharmacists.
- The National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) provides certification preparation, continuing education, and career resources.
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provides certification and continuing education options to help pharmacy technicians maintain and advance their credentials.
What is Stepful?
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Resources for aspiring Pharmacy Technicians
Join thousands of students getting certified with Stepful!
