Pharmacist Registration

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Pharmacist Registration

To practice as a pharmacist in British Columbia, you must be registered as a Full Pharmacist by completing the College’s application process. Your first step is to pre-register with the College through the applicable category.  Once you have met all the requirements, you can then apply for Full Pharmacist Registration.

  1. Pre-Registration
    Review the category descriptions in the table below or refer to Appendix 1 of the Application Checklist for Pre-Registration/Student Pharmacist Registration to determine your pre-registration category, and refer to the relevant webpage for steps to complete the registration process.
     

    Pre-Registration Category Description of Category
    Pharmacist from Canada (CFTA) Pharmacists currently registered as a pharmacist in a patient-care register or equivalent in another Canadian province or territory.
    Pharmacist from Canada (Non-CFTA) Pharmacists who were previously registered or are listed in the non-patient care register in another Canadian province or territory.
    Pharmacist from United States Pharmacists currently or previously registered as a practicing pharmacist in the United States.
    International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) Pharmacists who are not currently or previously registered as a practicing pharmacist in Canada or U.S. AND obtained their pharmacy degree outside of Canada or the U.S. (non-CCAPP/ACPE accredited).
    Student Pharmacist (UBC) Students enrolled in the Entry-to-Practice PharmD program at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
    New Pharmacy Graduate from Canada New pharmacy graduates from another province or territory in Canada (CCAPP accredited pharmacy program).
    New Pharmacy Graduate from United States New pharmacy graduates from the United States (ACPE accredited pharmacy program).

    The above categories and links are for applicants who wish to apply for Full Pharmacist Registration. Pharmacy students from a pharmacy school outside BC who wish to complete their Structured Practical Training (SPT) or whom will be providing pharmacy services under the supervision of a Full Pharmacist in BC, must be registered as a Student Pharmacist with the College before beginning their SPT. Steps to complete the registration for this category can be found here: Pharmacy Student from Outside BC

    Collect all required documents for your registration category by referring to the Application Checklist for Pre-Registration/Student Pharmacist Registration prior to accessing the online Pre-registration module on eServices. Note that some documents require notarization by a Notary Public or lawyer. 

    When ready:

    1. Create an account by following the instructions on eServices. If you forgot your username or eServices ID, contact the Registration Department at: registration@bcpharmacists.org. If you forgot your password, click on the “Forgot password” link on the eServices login page. Do not create multiple accounts as your information will not be merged.
       

    2. Complete the application form online and submit the required documents electronically through the Online Pre-Registration Module on eServices. Ensure all documents are scanned in accordance with the requirements outlined in the College’s Scanning Guidelines and Checklist for Document Submissions. Submitted documents will be rejected if they do not meet the scanning requirements.

    A pre-registration application is valid for 3 years. If you do not qualify or apply for Full Pharmacist registration within 3 years of receipt of the pre-registration application, you must re-apply for pre-registration in accordance with Registration Committee Policy-9. If you need to re-apply for pre-registration, email the completed HPA Form 4C Application for Pre-Registration (Pharmacist) to the Registration Department at: registration@bcpharmacists.org as you will not be able to use the online pre-registration module to re-apply. For UBC pharmacy students, you must complete registration as a Full Pharmacist by January 31 of the following year after graduation in accordance with Registration Committee Policy-9. Otherwise, you will be required to pre-register in the New Pharmacy Graduate from Canada category using HPA Form 4C Application for Pre-Registration (Pharmacist) prior to being able to register as a Full Pharmacist.

    You will be notified by email when there is an update to your application status.

    You will receive a confirmation email when you pre-registration or student pharmacist registration is complete.

  2. Full Pharmacist Registration

    Information regarding assessments can be found on their respective resource page under Registration Resources, as well as the appropriate Registration Committee Policy(ies). For information regarding PEBC certification, visit the PEBC website.

    Once you have completed the pre-registration and applicable assessment requirements outlined on the webpage of your pre-registration category (see table above), you may apply for Full Pharmacist Registration .

    Prior to submitting your Full Pharmacist Registration application, refer to the Application Checklist for Full Pharmacist Registration to identify and collect the required documents and/or information..

    Once you have submitted your online application, it will be reviewed within 5 business days. Any changes or updates (including the addition of PEBC certification results) made to your application will require up to 5 business days for review. You will be notified by email of any updates to your application status by the College.

    You will be able to submit payment by credit card to complete your Full Pharmacist registration application when all requirements are met and documents submitted (if any) have all been reviewed and approved.

    Once your Full Pharmacist Registration is completed, a confirmation email with your registration number will be sent to you. At that time, you will be able to access your registration card through eServices and you may practice as a pharmacist in BC.

    Your registration certificate will be mailed to you in 8 weeks.

    Your registration is valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually. For more information, see registration renewal.

Other Registration Classes for Pharmacists

The College also has other registration classes:

  • Limited Pharmacist
    • A pharmacist who has not completed all the requirements for Full Pharmacist Registration, but may provide pharmacy services under the supervision of a Full Pharmacist, as approved by the Registration Committee
    • Applications for this registration class must be reviewed by the Registration Committee pursuant to section 44(1)(a)(iii) and section 44(1)(b)(iii) of the HPA Bylaws. This extends the time period for processing the application. The Registration Committee may grant an applicant Limited Pharmacist Registration if, in its opinion, the applicant is capable of practising as a Limited Pharmacist without any risk to public health and safety.
    • Limited Pharmacist registration may be renewed twice and must not exceed 3 years from your initial registration.
    • Application Form - Limited Pharmacist

General Information

Refer to the application checklists below to ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation to submit with your pre-registration/Student Pharmacist registration, and/or Full Pharmacist registration application:

  1. Application Checklist for Pre-Registration/Student Pharmacist Registration
  2. Application Checklist for Full Pharmacist Registration

You must ensure all required documents are scanned in accordance with the College's Scanning Guidelines and Checklist for Document Submissions before uploading online.

Processing Times

Pre-Registration/Student Pharmacist Registration

Your application will be reviewed within 5 business days upon receipt of payment online. Note that your payment date is considered the receipt date of your pre-registration application for the purpose of Registration Committee Policy-9.

Documents submitted after payment will be reviewed within 5 business days after uploading.

You will be notified by email when there is an update to your application status.

The total processing time for a pre-registration application is at least 45 days due to processing time of your CRC results by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (visit the CRC page for more information). 

You will receive a confirmation email when your pre-registration is complete (i.e. all required documents received and approved AND your CRC result is received).

Full Registration

If an updated document is required, processing time is 5 business days from the date the last document was received.

If PEBC certification is the last requirement to complete your registration, your application will be processed within 5 business days after the official results have been released.

You will be notified by email when there is an update to your application status.

When all requirements are met and all submitted documents (if any) are approved, you will able to submit payment for the registration fee by credit card to complete the registration process.. Within 24 hours of payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you when registration is granted

Payment

Registration fees can be found in the HPA Fee Schedule. All fees are non-refundable.

Acceptable methods of payment are Visa card and Mastercard credit cards (Visa or Mastercard debit cards and prepaid credit cards are not accepted).

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