Is becoming a pharmacy technician your dream? Are you planning to apply for the Illinois pharmacy technician license requirements? Have you been wondering how to apply for a pharmacy tech license in the state of Illinois? You are at the right place.
In this article, you will learn more about the Pharmacy Technician License and Exam process. This article will give you reliable information about the enrollment process and the eligibility criteria set by the state.
The Steps Involved in the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Requirements
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
The first step to applying for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License is to register. But, before you begin the registration process, you must verify your eligibility to apply for licensure. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria set by the state for the Pharmacy Technician License.
The eligibility criteria to register and apply for the pharmacy technician license set by the state of Illinois are as follows:
- Applicants who apply for Pharmacy Technician – Certified Designation and Student Designation must be at least 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants who apply for Registered Pharmacy Technician must be at least 16 years of age.
- Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
- All the candidates who apply for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License must ensure not to have any history of drug-related crimes.
- In addition to a criminal background check, all applicants must have their fingerprints taken.
- Candidates must have completed a PTCB course from a state-recognized school.
- Applicants must be proficient in the English language.
STEP 2: APPLY FOR THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN LICENSE
Once you have verified your eligibility with the board to apply for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License, the next step is to register and schedule the exam. Illinois board approves both ExCPT and PTCB exams.
In the state of Illinois, you can apply for the Pharmacy Technician License Exam on the official website. There are various ways to apply for the exam. Let’s discuss those ways in detail.
Application Method:
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) allows applicants to apply for the License by 3 different methods. Namely:
- Registered Pharmacy Technician.
- Pharmacy Technician – Student Designation.
- Pharmacy Technician – Certified Designation.
The Illinois State Board of Pharmacy allows candidates to apply for licensure without taking the PTCB exam. Candidates in this profession do not require a PTCB exam prior to procuring their license.
REGISTERED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Registered Pharmacy Technicians are registered professionals who are authorized to assist in a pharmacy under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist.
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – STUDENT DESIGNATION
Pharmacy Technician – Student Designation are registered pharmacy technicians who have enrolled in a first professional degree program. The individual must have enrolled in a school, college, university, or department of pharmacy that is approved by the Department. These students can be entitled to the “Student Designation.”
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – CERTIFIED DESIGNATION
Pharmacy Technician – Certified Designation are registered pharmacy technicians who are authorized to assist in a pharmacy under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist. Also, the candidates must have successfully passed an exam accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (NCCA).
STEP 3: PAY YOUR FEES
The fee details for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License are as follows:
- The application fee for all designations is $40.
NOTE: The application fee is non-refundable and not transferable. Also, all major debit and credit cards, eCheck, and ACH are accepted. The fee has to be submitted on the online portal at the time you apply.
THE EXAM:
Once you have applied for the exam and have paid the fee, the next step is to take the PTCB exam. Let’s discuss some details regarding the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License requirements for the Exam. Some of the exam details are as follows:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Exam lasts for about 1 hour and 50 minutes.
- The PTCB exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). In total, 90 questions were asked, but only 80 questions were scored. The other 10 questions are not scored.
THE LICENSE:
The Illinois Pharmacy Technician License does not require all the candidates to have passed the exam at the time of application. However, you will have to pass the exam before procuring your license.
Provided, in the state of Illinois, applicants are not required to be certified to be able to practice. However, all the applicants must complete certification within a time period of 2 years to be able to renew their Pharmacy Technician License in Illinois.
You may start practicing as a Pharmacy Technician within the pharmacy, under the supervision of a qualified and registered Pharmacist. You can assist a licensed Pharmacist in a pharmacy for a period of up to 60 days prior to issuing licensure by the IDFPR.
WHAT’S NEXT:
Once you have taken the PTCB exam and have completed the training hours in a pharmacy closely supervised by a licensed pharmacist, the final step is to procure the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License.
You may search for your license to see if it has been issued or not. To look for your pharmacy technician license in the state of Illinois, you have to visit the License Lookup section and perform the search.
To learn more about the PTCB exam, you can check out our PTCB exam guide to help you gain more knowledge about the exam. Similarly, you can also try our free PTCB practice test to help you efficiently prepare for the PTCB exam.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Exams:
How much do Pharmacy Technicians make in Illinois?
Pharmacy Technicians in the state of Illinois make about $22.43 per hour and $46,654 per year.
Is becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician worth it in Illinois?
Yes. According to BLS, the demand for Pharmacy Technicians in the U.S. is projected to grow by about 5% between the years 2021 and 2031. Illinois is one of the states that has good job opportunities for Pharmacy Technicians in the state. Illinois pays well for Pharmacy Technicians.
What is the standard authorized pharmacy board in Illinois?
The state of Illinois uses the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide licensure for Pharmacy Technicians.
How do I prepare for the exam? Is there a guide?
Yes. You can refer to our Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) guide to prepare for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Exam.
Is the PTCB an approved exam in the state of Illinois?
Yes. Illinois approved both ExCPT and PTCB exams for national certification.
Do I need to register before I start practicing in Illinois?
Yes. You must register before you start practicing as a Pharmacy Technician in the state of Illinois. You can register on the official website.
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