Licensure, Registration, Renewal, and Scope of Practice
The credential stack
Illinois licenses individuals and separately licenses facilities. A pharmacist holds an Illinois pharmacist license; a technician holds a technician license; an intern must be registered; each physical location needs a pharmacy establishment license with a pharmacist-in-charge; nonresident pharmacies shipping into Illinois need registration. Controlled substances require both a DEA registration and a separate Illinois controlled substance license from IDFPR.
Renewal and CE
Pharmacist licenses renew biennially (September 30 of even-numbered years - verify the current cycle on IDFPR's site) with continuing education, generally 30 contact hours per cycle plus mandated topics such as implicit bias training. Technicians renew on their own cycle and must hold board-recognized certification. CE audits are real; keep certificates.
Scope
Pharmacists dispense, compound, perform drug utilization review, counsel, administer immunizations, and act under standing orders and collaborative agreements. Technicians work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and may not counsel, perform final verification, or exercise independent professional judgment. Interns may perform pharmacist functions only under supervision.
Traps
Confusing "supervision" with "presence" - Illinois expects a pharmacist to be on site to adequately supervise technician work. Assuming a technician can counsel or release a prescription without a pharmacist's check. Assuming a PIC change, remodel, or ownership transfer needs no notice - these generally require Department notification or a new license.
Rule of thumb
Before any task, ask: does this person hold the right credential, and does this facility hold the right license for this activity?