Pharmacist Licensing

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Licensing requirements vary quite dramatically by state.  This page will provide you links to each State Licensing Board,  along with contact information; and, as we develop it, a brief summary of salient points for licensing in that state.    If any states have developed a web site, and we've missed it, please let us know via e-mail:  Also, if you find any out of date information, we would very much appreciate your informing us.  We will do our best to be accurate, but cannot guarantee that.  Please refer to each State Board for the latest information.  Happy Hunting!
 
Licensing for pharmacists is regulated by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)  http://www.nabp.net/.  This body was established in 1904 to assist state licensing boards in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards to protect the Public Health. Pharmacy boards from fifty states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, nine Canadian provinces, and four Australian states make up the association membership.

Other important information can be found at the web site of NABP.  We include the following with the appropriate links.

PPAD™:  The Pharmacist and Pharmacy Achievement and Discipline is a database containing information about pharmacists, interns, technicians, pharmacies, and other entities licensed by State Boards of Pharmacy.

VIPPS:  The Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites; developed in response to public concern of the safety of pharmacy practices on the Internet, this program began in the spring of 1999.  A coalition of state and federal regulatory associations, professional associations, and consumer advocacy groups provided their expertise in developing the criteria which VIPPS certified Pharmacies follow.

NAPLEX® North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination ™ is utilized by the boards of pharmacy as part of their assessment of competence to practice pharmacy.  All state boards within the United States, except California, require candidates to pass the NAPLEX examination, as well as to meet all other eligibility requirements as determined by the state. Applications to sit for the NAPLEX and information on the specific requirements for licensure may be obtained directly from the board of pharmacy in the state where you are seeking licensure.

Also available from NABP is the NAPLEX Candidate's Review Guide. This guide is designed to help you gain confidence as your time for testing approaches by providing you with useful information about the NAPLEX and allowing you to work through the sample questions and testing tutorials  The NAPLEX Candidate's Review Guide, is available through NBBP by clicking here.

ELTP:  Electronic Licensure Transfer ProgramWith the exception of California and Florida, this system enables pharmacists to transfer their existing pharmaceutic license from one state or jurisdiction to another through the uniform licensure requirements recognized by all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The system serves as a clearinghouse that screens the candidate's license for disciplinary actions and verifies background information.  The Licensure Transfer preliminary application and information about licensure transfer fees may be found at License Transfer Application.

For foreign educated pharmacists, additional requirements are necessary.  We refer you to our section on immigration, which contains links to all you need to know..