This one-semester, hybrid course prepares students to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and begin a career in the pharmacy field. Designed as short-term career training, the program combines online instruction with in-person lab work to build both knowledge and hands-on skills.
Students will learn the basics of pharmacology, prescription processing, pharmacy law, and medication safety, while also developing communication and professional skills essential for the workplace. Upon completion, students will be eligible to sit for the PTCE and pursue certification as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
Program Highlights
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Recognized Education/Training Program.
- Holistic curriculum to enhance understanding in personal and interpersonal knowledge and skills while addressing the soft skills gap in Pharmacy Technician training.
- Hybrid, a blend of in-person, online and asynchronous course work.
Upcoming Classes
Enrollment in the program is on a first-come, first served basis until a cohort is filled provided students meet minimum admission requirements. We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 cohort.
Monday (in-person) and Wednesday (online), Aug. 25 to Dec. 10
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
BPHRM-0100-003
Register Today
Sign up easily through Instant Enrollment. Be sure to provide a personal email address when registering and check your spam or junk folders regularly so you don’t miss course updates.- To participate in online or hybrid classes, you’ll need access to a computer, tablet (such as an iPad), or similar device with a camera and microphone. Classes are delivered via Zoom and/or the Blackboard learning platform.
- To ensure a smooth start, registration for online courses may close up to 48 business hours before the course begins.
ICCB Noncredit Workforce Training Grant
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has allocated funds through Noncredit Workforce Training Grant. It offers support towards a portion of class costs for eligible selected students. This funding will be applied directly to the student’s account. The purpose of this initiative is to increase responsiveness to employer needs and workforce shortages through building capacity and strengthening the impact of noncredit workforce training at community colleges.
Pharmacy Technician Scholarship Application
Information Session
Get an overview of curriculum, course logistics, and expectations. Register and attend the next free information session. Students are required to attend an information session or schedule a meeting with the Enrollment Coordinator before enrolling in the program. To schedule an appointment, contact healthcare@cod.edu.
Licensure and Certification
State licensure is required to work as a pharmacy technician-in-training in the state of Illinois, then one must obtain national certification as a pharmacy technician within a two-year period to renew their license. Upon program completion and earning a passing score, students are eligible to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
Recognition
The Pharmacy Technician program at COD, Continuing Education has earned the recognition by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Education/Training Program.
Job and Salary Outlook
According to Career Coach, there are an average of 1,496 regional openings for Pharmacy Technicians annually. The National Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 6% job growth - twice the average rate. The 2023 national median wage is $39,845 or $19.16 per hour.
Prerequisites
Eligible candidates must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English and Math, and hold a high school diploma or equivalency.
Due to the inherent requirements of the profession as a pharmacy technician, students must possess additional non-academic skills. Psychomotor skills (hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity), visual acuity (normal or corrected vision) sufficient for safe practice of pharmacy technician duties and communication skills (ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, doctors and other personnel, and the ability to follow written and verbal directions).
Tuition and Fees
- Tuition: $1,999, textbook not included
- Payment is due at registration. A payment plan is available.
- This program is approved for funding by the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Check with workNet DuPage for eligibility requirements. Explore financial options for Continuing Education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. They have numerous responsibilities both behind the counter and on the floor of retail and hospital pharmacies. The list of frequently asked questions outlined below can help you determine if the pharmacy technician field is right for you.
Pharmacy technician duties may include preparing prescription labels, pricing and filling prescriptions, establishing and maintaining patient profiles, preparing insurance claim forms, and stocking and taking inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
In hospitals, additional duties may include reading patient charts, preparing and delivering medicine to patients, copying information about prescribed medications onto a patient's profile, assembling 24-hour supplies of medicine for every patient, and packaging and labeling each dose separately. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy technicians generally work in clean, organized, well-lighted and well-ventilated areas in retail and mail-order pharmacies or hospitals. Most workdays are spent standing and may require lifting heavy boxes or the use of stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Technicians work the same hours as pharmacists, which may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. As seniority increases, technicians often have increased control over the hours they work. There are also many opportunities for part-time work in both retail and hospital settings.
State licensure is required to work as a pharmacy technician-in-training in the state of Illinois, then one must obtain national certification as a pharmacy technician within a two-year period to renew their license. Criminal disclosure is required for state licensure and certification. This class prepares students for both certification exams: ExCPT and PTCB.
Students who are 18 years old, have graduated from high school or earned a GED, and have no prior drug convictions are eligible to take this course. High school level math skills and reading comprehension are also required.
Contact Information
Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu
- Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, closed
Contact Information
Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu
- Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, closed