What are the Education Requirements for Becoming a Pharmacist?

Pharmacists are responsible for making sure patients get the correct medication. They can work in a variety of settings or choose to specialize in a type of pharmacy work.

To become a pharmacist, you need to attend a Doctor of Pharmacy program as well as take exams to earn your license.

Keep reading below to learn more about becoming a pharmacist.

What Does a Pharmacist Do?

A pharmacist is a medical professional who specializes in medications and other types of drugs. They primarily fill and dispense prescriptions written by physicians.

The job duties of a pharmacist may vary slightly depending on where you work and if you specialize in any specific area of pharmacology. General job duties include:

• administering vaccinations
• answering patient questions about prescriptions
• checking prescriptions for accuracy
• checking that a prescription is safe for a patient to take
• filling prescriptions
• informing patients of potential side effects of their medication
• instructing patients on how to take and store their medication
• maintaining patient and pharmacy records
• mixing or formulating medications
• processing insurance claims and communicating with insurance providers
• working with physicians and other healthcare providers

Nearly half of all pharmacists work in drug stores or pharmacies. Pharmacists may also work in:

• clinics
• government agencies
• hospitals
• nursing homes and government care facilities
• pharmaceutical companies
• physician's offices
• surgical centers
• urgent care

The type of work you do and the environment you work in will depend on the type of pharmacist you are. Common types of pharmacists include:

• clinical pharmacist: works in hospitals and other healthcare settings providing direct patient care and working alongside physicians
• community pharmacist: works in pharmacies and drug stores and fills and dispenses medication, offers consultations, and administers vaccinations
• consultant pharmacist: works as a consultant for healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, or insurance companies
• managed-care pharmacist: researches, designs, and delivers pharmaceutical programs for patients
• nuclear pharmacist: prepares and distributes radioactive drugs like iodine

To become a pharmacist, you'll need to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Admissions requirements for these programs can vary.

You'll also need to earn a license to practice as a pharmacist in your state. Below, we've broken down all the basic steps you need to take to become a pharmacist.

Step 1: Earn a Degree

To be admitted into a pharmacy program, you'll need some amount of undergraduate education. The amount you need can vary, so check the requirements for the programs you're interested in.

While a bachelor's degree isn't always necessary, it's very common. Between 80% and 90% of pharmacy school applicants hold a bachelor's degree.

The most common majors for pharmacy students are:

• biochemistry
• biology
• chemistry

However, pharmacy programs may take in students from a variety of majors so long as they have completed the prerequisite science courses.

While these prerequisite courses will depend on the program, most students will need to attend at least two years of undergrad school to fulfill these requirements.

Step 2: Take and Pass the PCAT

Some pharmacy schools require applicants to have taken and passed the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) offered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

The PCAT is a standardized test that helps identify qualified pharmacy school applicants. The test includes five sections:

• writing
• biological processes
• chemical processes
• critical reading
• quantitative reasoning

It's important to note that this test will be retired as of January 2024 and there is no alternative offered as of yet.

While taking the PCAT can help you get accepted to pharmacy school, it is not a requirement and will not be an option soon.

Step 3: Complete a Pharmacy Doctoral Program

Once you've met the prerequisite, you can apply to a doctor of pharmacy program. You'll want to choose one that's been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

It may also be beneficial to choose a program that offers an internship program. Experience is sometimes required to earn your license, and this is a great way to get that experience completed.

Pharmacy programs usually take about four years to complete, although some schools may offer accelerated programs that can be finished in three years.

Topics covered in your pharmacy program may include:

• biology
• body systems
• cell biology
• chemistry
• community practice
• compounding and calculations
• health systems
• medicinal chemistry
• metabolism
• pharmaceuticals
• pharmacy law

These programs are a mix of classroom instruction, labs, and clinical experience to prepare you for work as a pharmacist and to pass the required exams.

Step 4: Pass the Required Exams

There are generally two exams that you'll need to take to earn your license: the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

Both of these tests are administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and must be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center.

The NAPLEX is a six-hour standardized exam made up of 225 questions. It's designed to test students on their pharmacy knowledge and competency.

After the exam, you and your state board will receive a pass or fail result reported within ten business days.

The MPJE focuses on the pharmacy laws and regulations of your specific state. Not all states use this exam and instead offer their own. Check to see what your state requires.

Step 5: Obtain Licensure

Licensure for pharmacists is done at the state level, and state requirements may vary.

After you've completed the necessary exams, you may not need to take additional steps to earn your state license.

Some states may require a background check or a certain amount of postgraduate experience before you can earn your license.

Check with your state's board of pharmacy to determine if there are any additional steps you need to take to earn your pharmacy license.

Become a Pharmacist

To become a pharmacist, you'll need some amount of undergraduate education and to complete a doctor of pharmacy program.

You will also need to take the appropriate exams to earn a pharmacy license in the state you plan to practice in.