Pharmacists are members of the healthcare community, entrusted with the safe and effective distribution of medications. Their responsibilities extend beyond dispensing prescriptions to include patient counseling, medication therapy management, and advising other healthcare providers on drug decisions. They serve as a checkpoint in patient care, ensuring that prescribed treatments are appropriate, safe, and understood by the patient. This role requires a structured path of education, training, and examination to ensure practitioners are competent.
Complete the Prerequisite Education
The journey to becoming a pharmacist begins with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Before entering a Pharm.D. program, applicants must complete a series of undergraduate prerequisite courses. These foundational classes include a year of general chemistry and organic chemistry with labs, along with courses in biology, physics, and calculus.
Many students also take advanced science courses like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology to strengthen their applications. While many applicants earn a full four-year bachelor’s degree before pharmacy school, it is not always a requirement. Some Pharm.D. programs accept students after they have completed two to three years of undergraduate study, provided all prerequisite coursework has been finished.
This pre-pharmacy curriculum ensures students have the necessary scientific knowledge to handle the advanced concepts taught in a Pharm.D. program. The emphasis on chemistry and biology is important, as these disciplines form the basis of pharmacology—the study of how drugs affect the body.
Gain Acceptance into a Pharmacy Program
Securing a spot in a Doctor of Pharmacy program is a competitive process. A strong academic record, demonstrated by a high grade point average (GPA), especially in science and math prerequisites, is a primary consideration for admissions committees. Beyond grades, programs look for well-rounded individuals who show a genuine interest in the profession.
Letters of recommendation from professors, pharmacists, or other healthcare professionals are an important part of the application. Applicants must also craft a personal essay that articulates their motivations for pursuing a career in pharmacy. Many schools also require an interview to assess a candidate’s communication skills and professionalism.
Historically, the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) was a standard component of the application, covering subjects like chemistry, biology, and quantitative reasoning. However, an increasing number of pharmacy schools have made the PCAT optional or no longer require it. Applicants should research the specific requirements for each program they are interested in to ensure their application is complete.
Accumulate Required Practical Experience
While in a Pharm.D. program, students must complete a significant amount of hands-on training to translate classroom knowledge into practical skills. This experiential learning is a mandatory component of the curriculum and is structured into two distinct phases. These supervised practice experiences are for developing the competence needed for patient care in diverse healthcare environments.
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs)
The initial phase consists of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs), which begin early in the program. IPPEs expose students to the fundamentals of pharmacy practice in settings such as community pharmacies and institutional or hospital environments. Students learn about workflow, medication dispensing processes, and patient interaction under the guidance of licensed preceptors.
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)
Later in the curriculum, students engage in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). These are more immersive, full-time rotations that allow students to take on more direct patient care responsibilities. APPEs cover a range of practice areas, including internal medicine, ambulatory care, and specialized fields, providing a broad understanding of the pharmacist’s role. Completing the required number of IPPE and APPE hours is a prerequisite for graduation and licensure.
Pass National and State Licensing Exams
After graduating from an accredited Pharm.D. program, the final step to becoming a licensed pharmacist is to pass two examinations. These exams verify that a candidate possesses the knowledge and judgment to practice pharmacy safely and effectively. Successfully passing these tests grants the license to practice, which is the legal credential required in every state.
North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)
The first exam is the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). This comprehensive, computer-adaptive test assesses a candidate’s competence in general pharmacy practice. It covers a wide range of topics, including the assessment of patient profiles for appropriate pharmacotherapy, the preparation and dispensing of medications, and the implementation of plans to promote optimal patient outcomes.
Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)
The second exam is the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) or a state-specific equivalent. This test focuses on the legal aspects of pharmacy practice, covering both federal and state laws and regulations governing the profession. Because pharmacy law can vary significantly from one state to another, a candidate must pass the MPJE for each state in which they intend to practice.
Pursue Advanced Board Certification
While a license grants the authority to practice pharmacy, some pharmacists choose to pursue board certification to demonstrate a higher level of expertise in a specific area. This is an optional, post-licensure credential that recognizes a pharmacist who has gained specialized knowledge and skills. The primary organization overseeing this process is the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), which offers certification in numerous areas, including:
- Oncology pharmacy
- Cardiology
- Critical care
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric pharmacy
- Geriatric pharmacy
To become board-certified, a pharmacist needs to have a current, valid license and accumulate a certain amount of practice experience in their desired specialty. Completing a postgraduate residency program can shorten the required time of experience needed to qualify for the exam. Passing the specialty-specific examination affirms the pharmacist’s advanced capabilities and commitment to a specialized area of patient care.
Fulfill Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain their license, pharmacists are required to participate in continuing education (CE). This ensures that practitioners remain current with the latest medical advancements, new drug therapies, and evolving laws and regulations in the rapidly changing field of healthcare.
State boards of pharmacy set the specific CE requirements, which involve completing a designated number of credit hours over a renewal period, usually every one to two years. The number of required hours and the specific topics that must be covered can vary by state. For instance, some states may mandate that a certain portion of CE credits be focused on topics like patient safety, immunizations, or opioid abuse prevention.
Pharmacists can earn CE credits through various approved activities, including attending live seminars, completing online courses, or participating in professional conferences. For those with advanced board certifications, there are also recertification requirements that often involve completing a set number of continuing education hours in their specialty.