Pharmacist / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Pharmacist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Dispenses medications and counsels patients. Requires PharmD degree.

What the Illinois data shows for Pharmacists

Illinois sets the entry bar for pharmacists at 5,378 training hours and a passing score on NAPLEX and MPJE. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Illinois's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)".

Budget $330 to get started, plus $284 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, pharmacists should know: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
27/100
Pharmacist · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
5,378 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$330
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$142/yr
$284 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
5,378 hours
Exam Requirement
NAPLEX and MPJE
Required
Initial License Fee
$330
Renewal Fee
$284
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Pharmacist All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pharmacist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois requires 5378 education/training hours, passing an exam (NAPLEX and MPJE), and an initial fee of $330. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Pharmacist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois licenses pharmacists who complete its requirements (5378 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Illinois licensing board.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Pharmacist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Pharmacist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for pharmacist licensing in Illinois. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pharmacist in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued pharmacist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $284 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this pharmacist license

Pharmacist in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a pharmacist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's pharmacist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Pharmacist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state pharmacist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.