New Pharmacy Graduate from Canada

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New Pharmacy Graduate from Canada

If you are in your final year or have recently graduated from a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy program in Canada, here are the steps to become licensed as a full pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC): 
 
Note: Step 2 and 3 can be completed in any order. 
 
  1. Licence Application - Part 1 
    • Access the Online Licence Application in eServices to get started.
       
    • Refer to the Application Checklist for the documents you need to upload.
       
    • Pay the application fee and criminal record check fee, as per the Fee Schedule.
       
    • A Criminal Record Check (CRC) will be initiated upon receipt of payment. You will also be required to initiate an extrajurisdictional CRC if you have been licensed as a health professional outside of Canada.
       

    • Refer to the Professional Licensing page for further information about processing times, application and assessment validity periods, and payment.

  2. Jurisprudence Examination (JE)
    • *NOTE: All future JE sittings have been cancelled until further notice: https://www.bcpharmacists.org/news/future-sittings-jurisprudence-examination-cancelled

      Prospective applicants, including those who are currently in the process of applying for a licence with CPBC will NOT be affected and may proceed without completing the JE. Current and prospective licensees are reminded of their professional responsibilities for maintaining current knowledge and understanding of all relevant legislation including CPBC bylaws and standards, and for practicing in a professional and ethical manner.

  3. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exams
  4. Licence Application - Part 2

    • To be eligible to submit Licence Application – Part 2, you must have completed your Licence Application – Part 1, including documents, CRC and extrajurisdictional CRC (if applicable), and completed all the required assessments.

    • Log into eServices to complete Part 2 of the application and pay the licence fee (fee prorated to align with the March 31st expiry date).
       
    • Refer to the Application Checklist for any updated documents you need to upload.
       
    • Obtain Professional Liability Insurance.
       
    • After payment, a confirmation email will be sent the next day, including your licence number.
Additional Assessments (If Applicable)
  1. Structured Practical Training (SPT) program 
  2. English Language Proficiency (ELP)
    • Only required if you graduated from a pharmacy program in Quebec.
       
    • Acceptable test agencies and minimum scores are found in Appendix 1 of the LCP-1.
       
    • If you completed the ELP test on or before August 31, 2024, you can apply the previous ELP standards.
       
    • Email your ELP score report to [email protected] for verification.
Additional Practice Information 

Drug Administration Certification (DAC) 

PRIME Enrolment (PharmaNet Access) 

  • All newly licenced pharmacists and pharmacy technicians requiring access to PharmaNet must enrol in PRIME.
  • Complete Step 1 of the PRIME enrollment process any time, but only complete Step 2 after 8pm on the day your full licence is granted.
  • Visit the PRIME webpage or contact PRIMESupport@gov.bc.ca. 

Other Training 

  • Additional training is required for specific types of pharmacy services (e.g. Opioid Agonist Treatment). Please visit the College website at: Declarations for more information.  
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Last Updated: September 9, 2026

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