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Online Pharmacy Technician Program
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Stepful graduates were hired at:
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Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in patient care, ensuring that the medications prescribed to them are safe and effective. Stepful’s 4-month online program prepares Illinois residents to pass the National Healthcareer Association’s ExCPT exam or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s CPhT exam. These nationally recognized credentials make you a more competitive job candidate and ensure you’re job-ready on day one.
4-Month Online Class
In-Person Clinicals in IL
Land a Full-Time Job
To become licensed as a certified pharmacy technician in Illinois, you must be 18 years old, show proof of completion of a training program, and proof of passing an approved national certification exam.
Meeting Illinois’ requirements is not as hard as you would think. Most training programs only require a high school diploma or GED to enroll. For example, Stepful’s pharmacy tech training program takes only 4 months to complete and prepares you to earn your national Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential.
Stepful students also complete an externship to get real-world, hands-on experience. When you’re ready to apply for jobs, Stepful is right there with you, with resume help, mock interviews, and job search assistance. At Stepful, we support you every step of the way — from enrollment through employment.
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What you’ll learn
Our students pass the NHA ExCPT exam at 75%, over 12 points above the national average. ASHP/ACPE-accredited program — the gold standard in pharmacy technician trainingLive classes twice a week with expert instructors, plus daily assignments and mock exams, all online. We also help you find an in-person externship with a dedicated coach to build hands-on skills.
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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.
One of the best things about starting a career as a pharmacy technician in Illinois is the positive job outlook. Pharmacy techs in Illinois earn a decent wage, with an average salary of $43,451 per year, or $20.89 per hour.
There is also a steady demand for pharmacy techs in the state. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are more than 22,950 pharmacy technician jobs in Illinois, or 3.8 for every 1,000 jobs in the state.
Illinois metro areas with the highest number of pharmacy technicians are:
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: 17,170
- St. Louis, MO-IL: 4,930
- Peoria: 630
- Springfield: 530
Nationally, employment of pharmacy technicians is growing. The BLS estimates that job opportunities for pharmacy technicians will increase by 6% in the next decade, faster than the average for other occupations (3%).
This high demand means certified pharmacy technicians can find a job more easily and may be able to negotiate for higher wages.
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22,950
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+
6% Growth
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Pick Your Start Date
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Joining a professional organization is a great way to get access to continuing education, certification programs, networking opportunities, and career development resources. Here’s a short list of excellent organizations you should consider joining:
- The Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists advances patient care by promoting excellence in pharmacy practice through education, collaboration, advocacy, and leadership.
National organizations that support pharmacy technicians in their careers include:
Even in states where it’s not mandatory, 98% of employers require or encourage certification for their pharmacy technicians. So, certification is always a good idea, regardless of the rules of your state.
In Illinois, national certification is required to register as a certified pharmacy technician. Both the National Healthcareer Association’s ExCPT exam and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s CPhT exam are approved by the state as qualifying exams for certification.
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Pharmacy technicians in Illinois must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and always work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
To register as a certified pharmacy technician, you must provide proof of completing a training program and passing an approved national certification exam.
