Pharmacist: prerequisites to Pharm.D. and state license
At least 2 years of prerequisite college courses (or a 6-year program straight from high school), a 4-year Pharm.D., two licensing exams, state intern hours and a state license.
For: Students strong in chemistry and biology who like explaining medicines to people.
Route 1: Prerequisites → Pharm.D. → NAPLEX + MPJE Most common
Some Pharm.D. programs require or prefer a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or a health field.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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2+ years
Prerequisite college courses
Such as anatomy and physiology, physics and statistics.
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Some programs offer a 3-year option; supervised work experiences (internships) are part of it.
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NAPLEX and MPJE (or Uniform MPJE)
Prospective pharmacists typically must pass two exams.
NAPLEX and MPJE exam pageNABP
NABP Pharmacy Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE)National Association of Boards of Pharmacy- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
Site blocks automated readers; content taken from NABP's own published pages as indexed by search on the accessed date. Re-check by hand.
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License
State pharmacist license
Applicants also complete a state-specified number of intern hours.
Pharmacist license stepsBLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Pharmacist
Clinical jobs may ask for a 1- to 2-year residency or fellowship.
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: 6-year program from high school Early admit
Some Pharm.D. programs admit high school graduates.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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6 years
Combined Pharm.D. program
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
NAPLEX and MPJE (or Uniform MPJE)
NAPLEX and MPJE exam pageNABP
NABP Pharmacy Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE)National Association of Boards of Pharmacy- Checked
- 7 Oct 2026
Site blocks automated readers; content taken from NABP's own published pages as indexed by search on the accessed date. Re-check by hand.
View source -
License
State pharmacist license
Pharmacist license stepsBLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Pharmacist
BLS
Pharmacists — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules
All states require pharmacists to be licensed, but licensure requirements vary; in most states pharmacists must be certified to give vaccinations. BLS
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Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.