How to Get a Pharmacist's License

Do you want to become a Pharmacist, providing prescriptions and drug advice to patients in a hospital, pharmacy or drug store environment? Are you interested in helping the sick get the medicine they need, and keep their medications straight? In order to become a Pharmacist you'll need to obtain a license in the location or jurisdiction where you plan to dispense medicine. This page will provide links and information on how to get a Pharmacist's license and help get you on your way to a career in Pharmacy.

Step 1: Attend Pharmacy School

In order to obtain a Pharmacist's license you'll need to apply and submit satisfactory results from entrance exams such as the the AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate), to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education endorsed Pharmaceutical College of your choice. If you've already completed a Bachelors Degree program, or at least 2 years of post secondary education, demonstration of courses in mathematics and chemistry, biology, or physics, as well as humanities and social sciences is a prerequisite.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm#training

Next you will be required to participate in the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) and the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) if applicable. Upon successful completion of these tests, you are now qualified to proceed with the Pharmacy curriculum.http://www.pharmcas.org/docs/CHECKLIST%200910.pdf

Step 2: Obtain Pharm. D., NAPLEX and MPJE

Completing the Pharmacy curriculum can take anywhere from 2-6 years, dependent on previous course work and preparatory education. Once the curriculum is completed, a Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) Degree is issued, qualifying one for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) and whatever other exams are required by a given state or jurisdiction.http://www.visalaw.com/IMG/pharmacistchart.pdf

Step 3: Obtaining the Pharmacist License

In many states, applicants must pass a criminal background check as well as meet an age requirement before a Pharm. D. degree can be obtained. Prospective pharmacists should have scientific aptitude, interpersonal skills, a philanthropic disposition, as well as detail orientation, because of the important decisions and responsibility of human life Pharmacists face daily.http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Career_Resources&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11570

If you have arranged for your exam results to be provided directly to your local licensing agency or state board, and meet the requirements for practical experience, you are ready to obtain your Pharmacist's license and begin looking for work as a Pharmacist.

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