Pharmacist license
Granted by state boards of pharmacy, not by a national exam alone. Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE-accredited program.
Granted byState boards of pharmacy
National exams2NAPLEX · MPJE or Uniform MPJE
ExperiencePractice experience is built into Pharm.D. programs; residencies (1–2 years) are optional.
Other statesApply state by stateno compact list on this page
How to get licensed
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an ACPE-accredited program.
- High school diploma (chemistry, biology, math)
- Prerequisite college coursework (usually at least 2 years) or a 6-year program that admits high school graduates
- Pharm.D. (usually 4 years)
- NAPLEX + MPJE / Uniform MPJEExam
- State pharmacist licenseLicense
The exams
National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed. NABP — writes the NAPLEX and MPJE; ACPE — accredits Pharm.D. programs.
- NAPLEXGeneral pharmacy practice knowledge, taken shortly after graduation.
NABP
NABP Pharmacy Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE)National Association of Boards of Pharmacy- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
- MPJE or Uniform MPJEPharmacy law exam for the state where the candidate seeks a license; states adopting the Uniform MPJE (from 2026) need only one law exam.
NABP
NABP Pharmacy Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE)National Association of Boards of Pharmacy- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
State rules and other states
Each state board of pharmacy sets licensure and transfer rules; most states also require certification to give vaccinations (BLS).
Good to know
Changes to watch
- The PCAT admission test was retired in January 2024; pharmacy schools no longer require it.
- Uniform MPJE rollout began in 2026 in adopting states.