IllinoisHB4154104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

PHARMACIST APPLICATION/EXAM

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall authorize the examination of applicants as pharmacists at such times and places as it may determine (rather than not less than 3 times per year). Provides that the Department and the Board of Pharmacy shall regularly monitor the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination or its successor to ensure that the examination of applicants is of a character to give a fair test of the qualifications of the applicant to practice pharmacy. Provides that applicants for examination as pharmacists for the calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027 shall be required to pass only the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. Provides that the results from the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for such applicants shall be disregarded and shall not prohibit an applicant who has successfully passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination from engaging in the practice of pharmacy. Provides that applicants for examination as pharmacists shall be required to pay, either to the Department or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (rather than the designated testing service), a fee covering the cost of providing the examination. Provides that the Department shall notify applicants taking the examination of their results no later than 2 weeks after (rather than within 7 weeks of) the examination date. Makes conforming changes.

health care licensesassignmentslicensed activities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Illinois pharmacist applicants face new tests

Applicants must take the pharmaceutical sciences exam developed and provided by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. They must also complete an Illinois pharmacy-law program and assessment approved by the pharmacy education council and provided by the Illinois Pharmacists Association, or use another option approved by the Department. An application expires if the applicant does not take or pass the exam within three years after filing. A new application requires another fee and the current licensing requirements.

Pharmacists need continuing education to renew

Pharmacists renewing an Illinois license must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education during the 24 months before it expires. At least two hours must cover pharmacy law. The requirement may take time or involve course costs, but the law sets no cost amount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Andrew S. Chesney

    Republican • Senate

  • Celina Villanueva

    Democratic • Senate

  • Christopher Belt

    Democratic • Senate

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Doris Turner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emil Jones, III

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Democratic • House

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Karina Villa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kevin Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Laura Ellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark L. Walker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Maurice A. West, II

    Democratic • House

  • Michael E. Hastings

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michelle Mussman

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Porfirio

    Democratic • Senate

  • Napoleon Harris III

    Democratic • Senate

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Ventura

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Spain

    Republican • House

  • Steve Stadelman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Suzy Glowiak Hilton

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 199 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 58 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Licensed Activities;

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 4/15/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee;

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0461

    6/1/2026House
  2. Effective Date June 1, 2026

    6/1/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/1/2026House
  4. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    6/1/2026Senate
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    5/31/2026Senate
  6. Sent to the Governor

    5/30/2026House
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III

    5/22/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris III

    5/21/2026Senate
  9. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva

    5/20/2026Senate
  10. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura

    5/20/2026Senate
  11. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael E. Hastings

    5/20/2026Senate
  12. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    5/20/2026Senate
  13. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt

    5/20/2026Senate
  14. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

    5/20/2026Senate
  15. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman

    5/20/2026Senate
  16. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner

    5/20/2026Senate
  17. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton

    5/20/2026Senate
  18. Passed Both Houses

    5/20/2026House
  19. Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000

    5/20/2026Senate
  20. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  21. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  22. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney

    5/13/2026Senate
  23. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio

    5/12/2026Senate
  24. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  25. Do Pass Licensed Activities; 009-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

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