Training & Other Qualifications to Become a Pharmacist

Pharmacists work closely with physicians, health practitioners and patients to provide information about medications, drug interactions, dosage and side effects of medications, as well as preparing medications and filling prescriptions. A pharmacist understands the clinical effects, uses and composition of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and advises patients and health care professionals on the use of drugs to treat illness and other conditions. Candidates must meet educational and experiential requirements to become a licensed pharmacist.

Undergraduate Requirements

• Pharmacy students must have completed at least two years of specific studies. Course requirements include biology, chemistry, physics, social sciences and humanities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, most pharmacy students enter a pharmacy program after having completed two to three years of undergraduate study.

Graduate Studies

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, successful completion of a Pharm.D. degree through an accredited college or school of pharmacy is required to become a licensed pharmacist. The Pharm.D. degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which has not been awarded for several years. Working, licensed pharmacists who completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy program may continue to work and renew their licenses with their current degree.

Additional Requirements

• Residency programs and internships, while not required to become a licensed pharmacist in some states, are often a prerequisite for taking the licensing examinations and for employment in clinical settings. The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy requires all applicants for examination within the state to have completed 1,600 hours of internship experience after the third year of the Pharm.D. program.

Time Frame

• The total length of time it takes to complete the post-secondary educational and other requirements for eligibility to sit for the pharmacy licensing examinations is a minimum of eight years. The Pharm.D. program is usually a six-year program. The residency or internship requirements may be completed concurrently during the last three of the Pharm.D. program.

Licensing

• Every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico require pharmacists to pass examinations for licensure. Candidates for examination will have completed an accredited pharmacy program, possess good moral qualities, meet minimum age requirements and have completed the minimum hours of work experience required by each state, district or U.S. territory. Full board examinations include the North American Pharmacy Licensing Examination (NAPLEX), and may also include the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). The MPJE examination serves as the state law portion of the licensing and is required in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The questions are tailored to the laws of each state. A criminal background check may also be required before a license is issued.