Pharmacist from the United States

Pharmacist from the United States

If you are or were a licensed pharmacist 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, 3 and 5 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 Licence page for further information about processing times, application and assessment validity periods, and payment.
2. Jurisprudence Examination (JE)
   • Pass the Jurisprudence Exam.
3. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exams
   • Pass the PEBC Qualifying Exams Part I & II.
4. Structured Practical Training (SPT) via CP3 - if applicable
   • This is only required if you have worked less than 1000 patient-care hours in the past 3 years as a licensed pharmacist in Canada or the U.S. 
      
   • Complete Structured Practical Training (SPT) through full enrolment in the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Programme (CP3).
5. English Language Proficiency (ELP) – if applicable
   • This is only required if you graduated from a non-CCAPP or non-ACPE accredited program.
      
   • Acceptable test agencies and minimum scores are found in Appendix 1 of the LCP-1.
      
   • If you completed your 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.
6. Application for Full Pharmacist Licence - 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 Licence Application - Part 2 and pay the licence fee (fee prorated to align with the March 31^st 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 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]