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New Pharmacy Graduate From United States
If you are in your final year or have recently graduated from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program in the United States, here are the steps to become licensed as a full pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC):
Note: Steps 2 and 3 can be completed in any order.
- Licence Applications - Part 1
- Enroll with Pharmacists' Gateway Canada. You must be enrolled with Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada before you can apply for the PEBC Qualifying Exam.
- Access the Online Licence Module 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 Licence page for further information about processing times, application and assessment validity periods, and payment.
- Enroll with Pharmacists' Gateway Canada. You must be enrolled with Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada before you can apply for the PEBC Qualifying Exam.
- 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.
- *NOTE: All future JE sittings have been cancelled until further notice: https://www.bcpharmacists.org/news/future-sittings-jurisprudence-examination-cancelled
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exams
- Pass the PEBC Qualifying Exams Part I & II.
- Licence Application - Part 2
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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.
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Additional Assessments (If Applicable)
- Structured Practical Training (SPT) program
- Only required if you have graduated more than 3 years ago and you are not a licensed pharmacist in Canada or the U.S.
- Complete Structured Practical Training (SPT) through full enrolment in the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) is required to satisfy the SPT requirement.
- Only required if you have graduated more than 3 years ago and you are not a licensed pharmacist in Canada or the U.S.
Additional Practice Information
Drug Administration Certification (DAC)
- Apply for Drug Administration Certification (DAC) to administer drugs via injection and intranasal route
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.
Need Help?
- Refer to the FAQ page
- Contact Professional Licensing at: [email protected]
Last Updated: September 9, 2026