Are you planning to become a Pharmacy Technician in Illinois?
Not sure what the license requirements are or how to apply?
Here’s a simple breakdown of the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License requirements, including eligibility, fees, application steps, exam details, and what you need to do before you can start working.
For readers in a hurry, have a look at this quick road map to get your Illinois Pharmacy Technician License:
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Check you’re eligible
Choose your license type
Apply online with IDFPR
Pay the $40 application fee
Start working while your license is processing (up to 60 days)
Get nationally certified (within about 2 years)
Pass your exam (PTCB or ExCPT)
Renew and keep up with continuing education
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The Steps Involved in the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Requirements
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Minimum eligibility requirements depend on the designation:
Registered Pharmacy Technician
- At least 16 years old
- High school diploma/GED or currently in high school
- Provide basic demographic info (date/place of birth, Social Security number or affidavit, name change info)
Pharmacy Technician – Certified Designation
- At least 18 years old
- Already passed PTCB (PTCE) or ExCPT
- Completed an approved pharmacy technician education program (or employer-based training that meets Illinois standards)
Pharmacy Technician – Student Designation
- At least 18 years old
- Enrolled in an ACPE-accredited pharmacy degree program or in a Board-approved 1200-hour clinical instruction program
- Must provide a letter from the school or an IDFPR approval letter
In all cases, applicants must:
- Be of good moral character
- Have no disqualifying drug-related or professional misconduct history (IDFPR provides separate conviction FAQs for techs).
STEP 2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT 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. The 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
- Entry level
- Best for: beginners, high school grads, career changers just starting out
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – STUDENT DESIGNATION
- For students in a first professional degree program in pharmacy (ACPE-approved)
- Let’s you function as a “student pharmacist” under supervision during your clinical training
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – CERTIFIED DESIGNATION
- For techs who have already passed PTCB or ExCPT and completed recognised training
- Often preferred by employers, with more responsibility and better pay
STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE (IDFPR PORTAL)
You apply through the IDFPR Online Services Portal:
- Go to the Pharmacy section of the IDFPR site
- Select Pharmacy Technician Online Application
- Complete the online form:
- Personal details
- Education/enrollment info
- For Certified designation: upload exam proof and program certificate/diploma
- Personal details
Your application is valid for 3 years from receipt, but your license will expire every year on March 31.
STEP 4: PAY YOUR FEES
The fee details for the Illinois Pharmacy Technician License are as follows:
- Application fee (all designations): $40
- Renewal fee: calculated at $25 per year
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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. |
STEP 5: START WORKING WHILE YOUR LICENSE IS PENDING (UP TO 60 DAYS)
Once you have:
- Submitted a complete application, and
- Paid the required fee,
You may assist a licensed pharmacist for up to 60 days before IDFPR issues your license.
Rules for this “pending” period:
- You must work under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist
- A copy of your application must be kept at the pharmacy
- This 60-day window does not apply if you are trying to reinstate after disciplinary action
STEP 6 – COMPLETE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION (WITHIN ABOUT 2 YEARS)
Illinois does not require you to be certified before you apply. However:
All technicians must add a Certified or Student designation by their second renewal, which effectively gives them about two years from initial registration to become nationally certified or be in an approved pharmacy program.
Approved certification exams:
- PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) – by PTCB
- ExCPT – by the National Healthcareer Association
Both are NCCA-accredited and explicitly accepted by Illinois.
THE EXAM:
Most Illinois techs choose PTCB, so here’s a quick snapshot:
PTCB – PTCE Exam Format
- 90 multiple-choice questions
- 80 scored
- 10 unscored (pilot items)
- 80 scored
- 1 hour 50 minutes of testing time (plus short tutorial and survey)
- Scaled score from 1000–1600, with 1400 as the passing score
Once you pass, you earn the CPhT credential.
Illinois then allows you to apply (or upgrade) for the Certified Pharmacy Technician designation using your exam results and program completion proof.
THE LICENSE:
After IDFPR processes your application:
- Visit the IDFPR License Lookup page
- Search by name or license number
- Check whether your status is Active, Inactive, Expired, or Deficient
Always keep a copy of your license info for your employer.
Illinois Pharmacy Technician License Types Explained
Here’s a quick side-by-side view:
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License Type |
Minimum Age |
Key Requirement |
Typical Use Case |
|
Registered Pharmacy Technician |
16+ |
HS diploma/GED or currently in high school |
First job in pharmacy |
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Pharmacy Technician – Student |
18+ |
Enrolled in an approved pharmacy degree/clinical program |
Pharmacy students in training |
|
Pharmacy Technician – Certified |
18+ |
Passed PTCB or ExCPT + completed tech program |
Certified techs with expanded responsibilities |
Remember:
- You start as Registered (unless you’re already certified or a pharmacy student).
- You must upgrade to Student or Certified by your second renewal to keep working long term.
License Renewal & Continuing Education in Illinois
Renewal
- Pharmacy technician licenses expire annually on March 31, no matter when they were issued. (Refer: General information → Instructions → 3)
- Online renewals are completed via the IDFPR portal, with a renewal fee calculated at $25 per year for techs.
Continuing Education (CE) for Certified Technicians
Illinois has specific CE requirements for Certified Pharmacy Technicians:
- 10 hours of CE are required in the 12 months before each renewal
- CE must include certain topics over a full 2-year cycle, such as:
- Pharmacy law
- Patient safety
- Implicit bias awareness
- Sexual harassment prevention
- Cultural competency
- Pharmacy law
On top of that, certification bodies like PTCB also require CE to keep your CPhT credential active.
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 $20.15 per hour and $39,469 per year.
Is becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician worth it in Illinois?
Yes. Becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician is worthwhile in Illinois. The latest BLS data projects 6% job growth from 2024 to 2034, faster than average. Illinois offers strong employment opportunities and competitive pay, making certification a solid career investment.
What is the standard authorized pharmacy board in Illinois?
The authorised pharmacy regulatory board in Illinois is the State Board of Pharmacy, which operates under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
How do I prepare for the exam? Is there a guide?
To prepare for the exam, create a study plan, use active learning techniques, and practice with realistic mock exams. Reviewing structured study guides, using practice questions, and simulating exam conditions can help you build confidence and familiarity. You can also 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. The PTCB (PTCE) exam is fully approved for certification in Illinois. Passing the PTCB, or the ExCPT, is required to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician, along with completing the mandated training period under a licensed pharmacist.
Do I need to register before I start practicing in Illinois?
Yes. You must be registered and licensed before working as a pharmacy technician in Illinois. You cannot practice without a license, except in very limited exemptions not applicable to pharmacy technicians. You can register on the official website.
