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Licensing: Pharmacists – USA

 

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US Pharmacists

You are eligible to work as a pharmacist anywhere in the United States.

However, you need to be licensed in the state where you'd like to work. Individual states are responsible for issuing their own license to practice. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to contact the licensing body in the state in which they wish to work, in order to confirm the specific requirements for that state. Please see the information below.

In general, however, if you currently hold a license to practice in one US state, endorsement is often possible. Please contact the appropriate state licensing body for more information.

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Pharmacists from Canada or Mexico

One way for a Canadian or Mexican pharmacist to become licensed in the USA, is to have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from an accredited college of pharmacy within the United States, and have passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).

If the above does not pertain to you, please read the following general information. (Note: it is always recommended that you confirm the information below with the Pharmacy Board in the state in which you wish to work.)

Contact the pharmacy board in the state in which you wish to be licensed or contact the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and:

• As of April 14, 2006, applicants first must undergo an educational credential evaluation, to determine if their training is equivalent to US training. Successful applicants will receive a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certificate.
• After receiving the FPGEC certificate, request an application and study guide for the FPGEE (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Exam), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and TSE (Test of Spoken English) examinations.
• Take and pass the FPGEE, TOEFL, and TSE. Since June 2003 the FPGEE has been administered in a paper-and-pencil format. The examination is administered twice a year, the last Saturday in June and the first Saturday in December. It is usually administered at three sites spread across the United States.
• Receive an official FPGEE certificate as required by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
• Send the originals of your FPGEE, TOEFL and TSE to the state board. They will photocopy the certificates and return the originals to you.
• A copy of the FPGEE certificate will be sent to the NABP for verification of authenticity.
• Upon receipt of a positive verification of your FPGEE, TOEFL, and TSE-P certificates, you will be eligible to apply for internship and the NABP licensure exam (NAPLEX).
• You may obtain a state internship license after you have passed the FPGEE and TOEFL.
• You must obtain the required hours of internship and take and pass the Multistate Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) and the state examination.

NOTE: Internship or practice as a pharmacist outside of the United States will not necessarily be accepted towards a state's internship requirement. And any internship or professional practice performed before taking and passing the FPGEE, TOEFL, and TSE examinations will not count towards some states' required hours of internship.

Once the full internship hours have been completed, submitted to the state board, and approved along with your competency checklists, you take the law examination (MPJE). Please contact the the state board in the state where you wish to work to recieve detailed information on licensure.

VISA Information: Under NAFTA, pharmacists who are citizens of Canada and Mexico are eligible for TN visas to work in the United States. Under NAFTA, Canadians receive TN-1 visas and Mexicans receive TN-2 visas. Canadians can apply for a TN-1 visa at Class A US Ports of Entry; Mexicans must apply for their TN-2 visa at a US Consulate.

No sponsorship is required for Canadians or Mexicans. However, you will still need to provide proof of an offer of employment from your employer in the US, and meet the minimum education, experience and licensing requirements (as above).

Documents required for TN visa:

  1. A document (e.g., signed contract, employment offer, etc.) showing your job title, summary of your job duties, starting date and expected length of temporary stay, arrangement for remuneration.
  2. Recent résumé.
  3. Evidence of the appropriate degree awarded (e.g., copy of a diploma, or official transcripts indicating the degree which has been awarded).
  4. Evidence of Canadian (or Mexican) citizenship.

The duration of the TN visa is set for an initial period of one year. An unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained so long as you can show that the employment remains temporary, and that you continue to be qualified to work in your profession.

The VisaScreen requirement instituted in July 2004 for some healthcare professions does not pertain to pharmacists.

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Pharmacists from Outside North America

Non-North American pharmacists will also need to complete the FPGEE process as described above for Canadians and Mexicans.

Additionally, however, you are required to have a US work visa before being allowed entry to the US and employment in the US, and usually sponsorship is required. Those who are not citizens of Canada or Mexico are not covered by NAFTA visa policies. Please contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining a US work visa.

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NABP, and US State Pharmacist Licensing Bodies

NABP, A, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

Tel: 847-391-4406

Fax: 847-391-4502

Email: custserv@nabp.net

Web: National Association of Boards of Pharmacy


Alabama Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 205-981-2280

Fax: 205-981-2330

Email: hbobo@albop.com

Web: Alabama Board of Pharmacy


Alaska Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 907-465-2589

Fax: 907-465-2974

Email: sher_zinn@commerce.state.ak.us

Web: Alaska Board of Pharmacy


Arizona State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 602-771-2741

Fax: 623-771-2749

Email: chunter@azpharmacy.gov

Web: Arizona State Board of Pharmacy


Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 501-682-0190

Fax: 501-682-0195

Email: Kelly.Kendall@arkansas.gov

Web: Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy


California Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 916-574-7900

Fax: 916-574-8618

Email: intern-examstatus@dca.ca.gov (for Pharmacist Exam, Pharmacist Intern, and Foreign Grad questions)

Web: California Board of Pharmacy


Colorado Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 303-894-7800

Fax: 303-894-7764

Email: wendy.anderson@dora.state.co.us

Web: Colorado Board of Pharmacy


Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Commission of Pharmacy

Tel: 860-713-6070

Fax: 860-713-7242

Email: Board Administrator

Web: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Commission of Pharmacy


State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 302-744-4526

Fax: 302-739-2711

Email: debop@state.de.us or judy.letterman@state.de.us

Web: State of Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Pharmacy


District of Columbia Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 202-442-4762 or 877-672-2174

Fax: 202-727-8471

Email: Executive Director

Web: District of Columbia Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy


Florida Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance (Pharmacy)

Tel: 850-245-4292

Email: MQA_Pharmacy@doh.state.fl.us

Web: Florida Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance (Pharmacy)


Georgia State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 478-207-2440 (board) or 478-207-1300 (admin)

Fax: 478-207-1434 (board) or 478-207-1363 (admin)

Email: ldurden@sos.state.ga.us

Web: Georgia State Board of Pharmacy


Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (Licensing Area: Pharmacy & Pharmacist)

Tel: 808-586-2694

Email: pharmacy@dcca.hawaii.gov

Web: Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (Licensing Area: Pharmacy & Pharmacist)


Idaho State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 208-334-2356

Fax: 208-334-3536

Email: Ellen.Mitchell@bop.idaho.gov

Web: Idaho State Board of Pharmacy


Illinois Division of Professional Regulation

Tel: 217-785-0800 or 312-814-4500

Fax: 217-782-7645

Web: Illinois Division of Professional Regulation


Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Indiana State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 317-234-2067

Fax: 317-233-4236

Email: pla4@pla.IN.gov

Web: Indiana Health Professions Bureau, Indiana State Board of Pharmacy


Iowa Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 515-281-5944

Fax: 515-281-4609

Email: becky.hall@iowa.gov

Web: Iowa Board of Pharmacy


Kansas State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 785-296-4056 or 1-888-RXBOARD (792-6773)

Fax: 785-296-8420

Email: pharmacy@pharmacy.state.ks.us

Web: Kansas State Board of Pharmacy


Kentucky Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 859-246-2820

Fax: 859-246-2823

Email: pharmacy.board@ky.gov

Web: Kentucky Board of Pharmacy


Louisiana Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 225-925-6496

Fax: 225-925-6499

Email: labp@labp.com

Web: Louisiana Board of Pharmacy


Maine Office of Licensing & Registration (Pharmacy)

Tel: 207-624-8600

Fax: 207-624-8637

Email: linda.s.harris@maine.gov or pharmacy.board@maine.gov

Web: Maine Office of Licensing & Regulation (Pharmacy)


Maryland Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 410-764-4755 (main) 410-764-2485 (licensing) or 1-800-542-4964 (Maryland only)

Fax: 410-358-6207

Email: mdbop@dhmh.state.md.us

Web: Maryland Board of Pharmacy


Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy

Tel: 800-414-0168 or 617-973-0954

Fax: 617-973-0983

Web: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy


Michigan Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 517-335-0918

Email: bhpinfo@michigan.gov

Web: Michigan Board of Pharmacy


Minnesota Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 651-201-2825

Fax: 651-201-2837

Email: Pharmacy.Board@state.mn.us

Web: Minnesota Board of Pharmacy


Mississippi Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 601-605-5388

Fax: 601-605-9546

Web: Mississippi Board of Pharmacy


Missouri Division of Professional Registration (Pharmacists)

Tel: 573-751-0091

Fax: 573-751-3464

Email: pharmacy@pr.mo.gov

Web: Missouri Division of Professional Registration (Pharmacy)


Montana Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 406-841-2356

Fax: 406-841-2305

Email: dlibsdpha@mt.gov

Web: Montana Board of Pharmacy


Nebraska Health and Human Services System, Department of Regulation & Licensure

Tel: 402-471-2118

Fax: 402-471-3577

Email: vonda.apking@hhss.ne.gov

Web: Nebraska Health and Human Services System, Department of Regulation & Licensure


Nevada State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 775-850-1440 or 1-800-364-2081

Fax: 775-850-1444

Email: pharmacy@govmail.state.nv.us

Web: Nevada State Board of Pharmacy


New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 603-271-2350

Fax: 603-271-2856

Email: pharmacy.board@nh.gov

Web: New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy


New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 973-504-6450

Email: Executive Director

Web: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Pharmacy


New Mexico Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 505-222-9830 or 1-800-565-9102

Fax: 505-222-9845

Email: Licensing Manager

Web: New Mexico Board of Pharmacy


New York Office of the Professions (Pharmacy)

Tel: 518-474-3817 x130

Fax: 518-473-6995

Email: pharmbd@mail.nysed.gov

Web: New York Office of the Professions (Pharmacy)


North Carolina Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 919-246-1050

Fax: 919-246-1056

Email: dstump@ncbop.org

Web: North Carolina Board of Pharmacy


North Dakota Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 701-328-9535

Fax: 701-328-9536

Email: ndboph@btinet.net

Web: North Dakota Board of Pharmacy


Ohio State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 614-466-4143

Fax: 614-752-4836

Email: licensing@bop.state.oh.us

Web: Ohio State Board of Pharmacy


Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 405-521-3815

Fax: 405-521-3758

Email: pharmacy@pharmacy.ok.gov

Web: Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy


Oregon Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 971-673-0001

Fax: 971-673-0002

Email: pharmacy.board@state.or.us

Web: Oregon Board of Pharmacy


Pennsylvania Department of State, State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 717-783-7156

Fax: 717-787-7769

Email: ST-PHARMACY@state.pa.us

Web: Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy


Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Board of Pharmacy)

Tel: 787-724-7282

Fax: 787-725-7903


Rhode Island Office of Health Professionals Regulation, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 401-222-2837

Fax: 401-222-2158

Email: Catherine.Cordy@health.ri.gov

Web: Board of Pharmacy


South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 803-896-4700

Fax: 803-896-4596

Email: bundricl@llr.sc.gov

Web: South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Board of Pharmacy


South Dakota Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 605-362-2737

Fax: 605-362-2738

Email: dennis.jones@state.sd.us

Web: South Dakota Board of Pharmacy


Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 615-741-2718

Fax: 615-741-2722

Web: Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Board of Pharmacy


Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 512-305-8000

Fax: 512-305-8082 (general) or 512-305-8075 (licensing)

Email: exam@tsbp.state.tx.us

Web: Texas State Board of Pharmacy


Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing, Pharmacy Board

Tel: 801-530-6628 or 1-866-275-3675 (in Utah)

Fax: 801-530-6511

Web: Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing, Pharmacy Board


Vermont Secretary of State, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 802-828-2373

Email: patkins@sec.state.vt.us

Web: Vermont Secretary of State, Board of Pharmacy


Virgin Islands Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 340-774-0117

Fax: 340-777-4001

Email: Executive Assistant


Virginia Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 804-367-4456

Fax: 804-527-4472

Email: pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Web: Virginia Board of Pharmacy


Washington Health Professions Quality Assurance, Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 360-236-4700

Fax: 360-236-4818

Email: hpqa.csc@doh.wa.gov

Web: Washington Health Professions Quality Assurance, Board of Pharmacy


West Virginia Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 304-558-0558

Fax: 304-558-0572

Email: Executive Director/General Counsel

Web: West Virginia Board of Pharmacy


Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing, Pharmacy Examining Board

Tel: 608-266-2112

Email: web@drl.state.wi.us

Web: Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing, Pharmacy Examining Board


Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy

Tel: 307-234-0294

Fax: 307-234-7226

Email: wybop@state.wy.us

Web: Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy

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Updated on August 29, 2007.

 

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