Illinois Pharmacy Tech Schools & Certification

Rasmussen University's online Pharmacy Technician Certificate can get you job-ready in about nine months. Across 12 courses, you'll learn drug classifications, pharmaceutical math, and how to receive, interpret, and fill prescriptions. Virtual labs and real-world projects let you rehearse pharmacy tasks before you hit the floor, and a practicum in retail or virtual pharmacy settings builds hands-on confidence. Classes come from instructors with real industry experience, with live sessions that keep you connected off campus. Graduates qualify for roles like retail or clinical pharmacy technician and can sit for the PTCE or ExCPT exams, with the first attempt reimbursed. Support includes academic advising, tutoring, and round-the-clock tech help. Fully online, the program fits around work and life, and it's recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board accredited
• $12,616 total program tuition
• $332 per credit
• 9-Month program
• 38 total credit hours
• 12 total courses
• Fully online option available
• Prepares for PTCE, ExCPT
• Military benefits accepted
• Employer reimbursement supported

Rasmussen University's Health Sciences Associate's Degree offers a Pharmacy Technician specialization for Illinois students. This hybrid program blends online and on-campus courses, preparing you for roles like pharmacy technician or medical assistant. You can finish in as few as 18 months, with accelerated options available through transfer credits. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, communication, and patient services. Rasmussen is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring quality education. This degree meets educational requirements for pharmacy technician licensure in many states, including Illinois. It's designed for those entering healthcare or seeking career advancement.

• Associate's degree program.
• Pharmacy Technician specialization available.
• Hybrid online and on-campus format.
• Finish in as few as 18 months.
• Accelerated 9-month option with credits.
• For Illinois students only.
• Three specialization choices offered.
• Focus on critical thinking skills.
• Emphasis on communication development.
• Patient services training included.

Oakton College's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program provides a comprehensive foundation for the pharmacy field. The curriculum covers drugs, physiology, interactions, and daily operations, preparing students for the PTCB exam. With a 100% pass rate in 2025 and ASHP/ACPE candidate accreditation, the program meets high standards. Classes are taught by registered pharmacists or doctors of pharmacy. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical placements. Graduates pursue careers in retail, hospitals, managed care, and more. Oakton offers financial aid and scholarships, with 99% of students graduating debt-free. The limited-enrollment process includes an interview, ensuring a focused cohort. This certificate is ideal for new and current healthcare workers seeking credentialing.

• ASHP/ACPE accredited
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Exam (PTCB)
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Instructed by Registered Pharmacists
• Interview required for admission
• Careers in retail, hospitals, and managed care
• 99% graduate without debt

The Pharmacy Technician Certificate at Southeastern Illinois College is designed for quick entry into the healthcare field. This campus-based program can be completed in just one semester, preparing you for the ExCPT certification exam. As a student, you'll learn to assist licensed pharmacists by receiving prescriptions, compounding medications, managing inventory, and processing insurance claims. The curriculum covers prescription review, medication preparation, patient profile management, and HIPAA compliance. Graduates are ready for roles in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and outpatient centers. The program's certification is NCCA accredited, and with a projected 7% job growth, pharmacy technicians are in demand. You'll gain hands-on skills in a supportive environment, with learning outcomes focusing on accuracy, communication, and professionalism. Upon passing the ExCPT, you earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) title, opening doors to a rewarding career in pharmacy.

• NCCA accredited
• 1-Semester program
• Prepares for ExCPT
• Eligible for ExCPT certification
• 7% job growth through 2033
• Employment in hospitals and retail
• Must be 18 with high school diploma
• Tasks include mixing medications

The Pharmacy Technology Advanced Certificate at Malcolm X College is a 3-semester, 37-credit program preparing students for careers as pharmacy technicians. The curriculum covers preparing medications, filling prescriptions, data entry, and compounding in both community and hospital settings. Graduates are ready for certification exams like PTCE, ExCPT, and CSPT, and can work in retail, hospital, long-term care, nuclear, and specialty pharmacies. The program is accredited by ASHP and ACPE and offers low tuition of $5,402 for in-district students, with financial aid available. Admission requires college-level English and math eligibility, a mandatory orientation, and a clean criminal background. This program provides a fast track to a rewarding healthcare career.

• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited
• $5,402 total program tuition
• 3-Semester program
• 37 total credit hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for PTCE, ExCPT, CSPT
• Financial aid available
• Criminal background check required
• Mandatory orientation required
• Direct entry advanced certificate for inpatient/hospital

The Pharmacy Tech Basic Certificate (PHT.BASIC) is a 12-week certificate at South Suburban College. It requires 20 credits and can be completed over two semesters. Courses cover pharmacy technician orientation, pharmaceutical mathematics, pharmacy operations I, pharmacology I, pharmacy technician internship I, pharmacy tech board certification review, and OTC, herbal and alternative therapy. Admission requires a high school diploma and placement tests in reading, English and math. Illinois and Indiana students must hold state licensure before the internship. Basic Certificate graduates can request entry to the Full Certificate for institutional or hospital settings or pursue an Associate's Degree in General Studies.

• 12-Week program
• 20 total credit hours
• State license required before internship
• Board certification review class
• Full Certificate pathway available
• Associate in General Studies option
• Placement tests in reading, English, math
• High school diploma required
• OTC and herbal therapy coursework
• Internship I required

Rend Lake College's Pharmacy Technician Short-Term Certificate is a focused 16-credit program designed to launch you into a pharmacy career quickly. The curriculum covers pharmacology, medical calculations, drug distribution, and pharmacy practices. You'll gain hands-on experience through community and hospital clinical rotations, preparing you for real-world work under a registered pharmacist. The program emphasizes ethical behavior, infection control, and patient communication. All courses must be passed with a C or better, ensuring you're ready for the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. Graduates are equipped for roles in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, you'll receive personal attention every step of the way. Financial aid is available to help you get started.

• 16 total credit hours
• Prepares for National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination
• Financial aid available
• Includes community and hospital clinicals
• Requires grade C or better in all courses
• Covers pharmacology and medical calculations
• Emphasizes ethical behavior in healthcare
• Work under supervision of registered pharmacist
• Pharmacy drug distribution training

Lewis and Clark Community College's Pharmacy Technician Certificate program prepares you for a rewarding career in pharmacy in just one semester. The curriculum covers drug preparation, medication compounding, sterile product preparation, patient record management, and pharmacy software use through a partnership with PioneerRx. You'll learn to interpret prescriptions, handle inventory, and perform computer entries under pharmacist supervision. The blendflex format lets you attend classes in person or virtually, with some self-paced options. Graduates qualify for entry-level roles in hospitals and retail pharmacies and can sit for the national PTCB certification exam. The program holds dual accreditation from ASHP and ACPE, and financial aid may be available through the PATH Grant. With strong job demand and a 100% pass rate on the certification exam in 2025, this certificate is a fast track to a healthcare career.

• ASHP, ACPE accredited
• 1-Semester program
• Complete in earn your certificate in only one semester
• 17 total credit hours
• 100% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam
• Financial aid available
• Partnership with PioneerRx software
• Blendflex format for in-person or virtual
• Prepares for hospital and retail jobs

Lake Land College's career training division offers Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included) as a 400-hour, non-credit online certificate. Coursework runs through ed2go and covers medical terminology in 14 lessons and pharmacy technician practice in 22 lessons, from pharmacy law and controlled substances to sterile and non-sterile compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, and pharmacology across body systems. Students get 12 months of access, work self-paced, and finish with a certificate of completion plus a voucher for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, the exam behind the CPhT credential. Tuition is $3,299, listed down from $3,394, with payment plans through Affirm or TuitionFlex. Registrants must be 18 or older and type about 35 words per minute. An optional clinical experience is available but placement is not guaranteed. The course does not meet requirements in Ohio, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia, and federal aid does not apply.

• $3,299 total program tuition
• 12-Month program
• Fully online option available
• Starts rolling
• Asynchronous online classes
• average pharmacy technician salary is $40,300
• Prepares for PTCE
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available
• 400 course hours

The Pharmacy Technician (Voucher Included) is a non-credit certificate course offered through Highland Community College and delivered fully online. It runs 400 course hours with 12 months of access, self-paced and open enrollment. Coursework covers medical terminology, pharmacy law and ethics, controlled substances, sterile and non-sterile compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacology, and a career development lesson on the PTCB exam. Students must be 18 or older, type about 35 words per minute, and handle basic high school math. Tuition is $3,299 and includes the PTCE voucher; the course prepares students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and the CPhT credential. An optional clinical experience requires a background check. Ohio, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia do not accept it.

• $3,299 total program tuition
• 12-Month program
• Rolling admissions
• Fully online option available
• Starts rolling
• Asynchronous online classes
• average pharmacy technician salary is $40,300
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
• Military benefits accepted
• Financial aid available

Sauk Valley Community College offers a Pharmacy Technician Certificate program fully online and self-paced. The curriculum covers essential skills including medical terminology, dosage calculations, record keeping, and pharmaceutical ethics. Virtual simulations provide hands-on practice in a flexible environment. Students benefit from a local clinical externship, gaining real-world experience in a pharmacy setting. The program is accredited by ASHP/ACPE, ensuring high-quality training that prepares graduates for entry-level pharmacy technician roles in retail, hospital, and long-term care settings. With 12-month access to materials and rolling enrollment, students can start anytime. Career support is included to assist with job placement. Ideal for adults 18 and older seeking a rewarding healthcare career.

• ASHP, ACPE accredited
• 12-Month program
• Rolling admissions
• Starts rolling
• Asynchronous online classes
• Local clinical externship opportunity
• Career support included
• Immersive virtual hands-on practice
• Covers pharmacy ethics and terminology
• Open to ages 18 and up