How To Get Pharmacist License In Canada

Because it is a people-oriented profession, a career in pharmacy may be both immensely rewarding and hard. Most of us think of pharmacists as people who spend their days at drug stores giving advise to clients, counting pills, and selling capsules. However, pharmacy is much more than that, and if you’re considering a career in this well-paid field, keep in mind that it’s an important aspect of the healthcare industry.

In this article, we explain How To Get Pharmacist License In Canada, ielts requirement for pharmacist in canada, how to become a pharmacist in canada for international students, pebc for international graduates. For more information, read on.

So, your greatest reward should be the thought that you have helped someone who is in pain or whose life is in danger because of inappropriate use of medication. If you are ready to accept all these challenges and many other difficult conditions, you have to pass the following steps:

Step 1 � Obtain University Degree
Graduate from a Canadian university, obtaining a Bachelor�s degree in pharmacy. Ten universities across the country offer such a degree � there is one in each province while Quebec and Ontario have two each. All these universities offer standard four-year Pharmacy programs.

Step 2 � Find Apprenticeship or Internship
Get some practical experience through an apprenticeship or internship hours. You need practical training of several hundreds hours under a licensed pharmacist in addition to your Bachelor’s degree. As pharmacy professionals are licensed at the provincial level, the exact requirements depend on which province you will work in. However, this is a good opportunity
to develop useful skills related to your future career as a pharmacist.

Step 3 � Find about the Legal Aspects
Being part of the healthcare community and working with dangerous substances that are under control, you have to satisfy a number of legal requirements. So, you have to be clear about the legal aspects of pharmacy. In most universities, this issue is included in the undergraduate programs. In British Columbia, for instance, there is a separate Jurisprudence exam that you are required to sit.

Step 4 � Sitting Language Tests
Fluency in English is a must to become a licensed pharmacist in some of Canada�s provinces. In Quebec, fluency in French is required. Although a degree from any Canadian university is undoubted evidence of fluency in English or French, there are language tests and fluency standards that you should be able to cover.

Step 5 � Pass National Qualifying Exam
As a next step, you need to take the national qualifying exam through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). The test given by the national certification body for the pharmacists in Canada consists of two parts. A pharmacy degree is a mandatory requirement before you take the examination. However, if you are graduating senior, you can also apply, but you have to obtain the degree prior to the exam date. The exams are held twice a year.

Step 6 � Becoming Pharmacist for Foreign Nationals
If you are a pharmacist but not a Canadian citizen or resident, you will have to meet exactly the same requirements listed above. So, you can avail yourself of the International Pharmacy Graduate Program thought at the University of Toronto or the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program at the University of British Columbia.

Special for PEBC candidates:
Our drug and therapeutic products are identified under Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s (PEBC) reference listings as resources that are helpful in preparing for Pharmacist Evaluating Examination, Pharmacist Qualifying Exam Part I and may be provided as references in stations in Part II of the exam.

We are offering our RxTx online products to PEBC candidates at a discounted price. RxTx 3 combines all the content from our online drug and therapeutic products into one convenient resource along with other valuable external references.

Registration And Licensure With The College Of Pharmacists Of Manitoba

In order to become a licensed pharmacist in Canada, you need:

A bachelor’s or doctor of pharmacy degree from one of 10 Canadian universities
To complete a national board examination through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) (except Québec)
Practical experience through an apprenticeship/internship program
Fluency in English or French

The profession of pharmacy is regulated on a provincial and territorial level. The regulatory authorities are directly responsible for granting pharmacist licenses, assessing the competency of pharmacists and ensuring public safety. For a detailed look at the specific provincial licensing requirements in every province, visit the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

ielts requirement for pharmacist in canada

Do you want to know all about ielts requirement for pharmacist in canada, keep reading. Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the most common language spoken in most provinces and territories. French is most spoken in Quebec, as well as parts of Ontario, New Brunswick (the only officially bilingual province in Canada), and in French-speaking communities across Canada.

One of the biggest challenges faced by international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) when they come to Canada is the language barrier. Pharmacists rely on their ability to communicate effectively with patients, staff and other health professionals. A significant role of a Canadian pharmacist involves counselling patients and their family members. Patients rely on pharmacists to provide expert advice and respond to questions about medications and health concerns.

Many tasks in the pharmacy also require a lot of verbal communication, as well as reading and writing. Pharmacists must often review drug information, complete forms and correspond with other health professionals, pharmacy managers and suppliers.

All pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) require IPGs to meet language proficiency requirements. This can be accomplished by taking a language proficiency test and achieving a minimum score in each of the categories for reading, writing, speaking and listening, as indicated in the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada, or by meeting non-objective evidence of language proficiency as determined by the individual PRA. Candidates should note that not all PRAs have policies in place for non-objective evidence of language proficiency.

Although these language tests can indicate a basic knowledge of English or French, pharmacists must be able to communicate and understand the language at a much more advanced level that includes many technical components associated with being trained as a pharmacist and healthcare professional.

Candidates who do not speak English or French at an advanced level are strongly advised to begin language training as soon as possible. Doing this will significantly increase their chances of success in all the steps involved in obtaining a licence.

Language Proficiency Criteria

Each province and territory specify language proficiency as a requirement for licensure.

NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) has established basic language proficiency standards to assess speaking, reading, writing and listening skills for IPGs.

Communication is seen as one of the biggest challenges for many internationally educated health professionals in adapting to the Canadian workplace.

It is essential to understand that, although candidates may meet the standards on one of the available language tests, this will demonstrate only a basic level of ability. Health professionals require much more advanced communication skills to function with greater confidence and provide safe and effective care.

Communication also involves non-verbal interactions and cultural rules, norms and traditions such as eye-contact, hand gestures, facial expressions and personal space. People of different cultures and from different regions in Canada will often speak using slang terms and informal language and communicate with non-verbal gestures acceptable within the culture of their community.

Testing Requirements

All PRAs require IPGs to meet language proficiency requirements. This can be accomplished by taking a language proficiency test and achieving a minimum score in each of the categories for reading, writing, speaking and listening, as indicated in the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada, or by meeting non-objective evidence of language proficiency as determined by the individual PRA. Candidates should note that not all PRAs have policies in place for non-objective evidence of language proficiency.

Candidates that have received a degree in pharmacy from an accredited Canadian or American university program will not be required to take English language proficiency testing unless a trigger suggests that a test for language proficiency is required. Triggers include, but are not limited to:

A pharmacist, recognized as a preceptor, identifies a candidate who has demonstrated less than adequate language proficiency
A complaint is received from a patient, customer or health professional about a candidate concerning a lack of language proficiency

English Language Testing

A pharmacist who has completed a pharmacy degree from an educational institution outside of Canada or the United States must provide proof of having passed an English language test.

The results of that test must be forwarded directly by the examiner to NAPRA, Suite 1800, 130 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5G4, Attention: Gateway Operations, or be available online through a special secure portal set up by the examiner. Once received and verified, it will be stored in the candidate’s secure profile for use by the pharmacy regulatory authority (PRA) during the licensure process.

The results of candidates that have taken the language proficiency test through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be made available online through a secure portal and do not have to be sent by mail to Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.

Candidates who completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) may submit a scanned copy of their language test results to gatewayinfo@napra.ca. They must also ensure that the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities is the destination institution (DI code 7603). This will allow Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada to confirm the language test results.

The following chart provides the scores required for several NAPRA-approved English language examinations. Test scores are only valid for two years.

French Language Testing

French Language Requirements in Manitoba, New Brunswick and Ontario

The provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick and Ontario have significant numbers of French-speaking individuals and communities, and so English or French language fluency is acceptable in those provinces.

A minimum score of 5 in each of four testing categories for the Test pour étudiants et stagiaires au Canada (TESTcan) is required.

For specific information about French language requirements in each of these provinces, candidates will need to consult directly with the licensing authorities:

French Language Requirements in Quebec

Candidates wishing to practise in Quebec should know that French language proficiency is required to practise. To prove that they meet the standard for fluency in French, candidates must have one of the following:

Completed no fewer than three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in French;
Passed the fourth- or fifth-year secondary-level examinations in French as the first language;
A secondary school certificate in Quebec, from or after the school year 1985-86; or,
A certificate issued by the Office québécois de la langue française, or a certificate defined as equivalent by the government.

Candidates that do not meet these requirements must successfully pass a French language examination with the Office québécois de la langue française. The examination aims to evaluate four categories: oral comprehension, oral expression, written expression and comprehension of a text. If the candidates successfully pass the examination, the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ) may give them a licence, providing that they have met all other requirements to obtain a licence to practise pharmacy. Candidates can also receive a temporary licence if they have registered for, but have not yet completed, the exam. Also, if they do not pass the examination, OPQ will give them a temporary licence valid for 12 months. This temporary licence can be renewed under certain conditions.

how to get the pharmacist license In Canada

To learn more on how to get the pharmacist license In Canada, continue to read. A pharmacist dispenses medications and explains how to take them safely. To become a pharmacist, you must meet the requirements of the regulatory body in your province or territory and have practical work experience.

In order to become a licensed pharmacist, you must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a college accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). You’ll also need to pass The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) in order to practice in every state. Each state may have different individual requirements for obtaining a pharmacist license.

Follow these five steps to become a pharmacist:

1. Enroll in a university and earn a degree

The first step to becoming a pharmacist is to earn a bachelor of science degree or a doctorate in pharmacy. While a bachelor of science degree takes four years to complete, a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD) program takes at least two years to complete. There are ten accredited universities you can attend and application requirements vary across these universities.

2. Take the national board examination through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

Once you complete your university pharmacy program, you can take the national board exam. The examination tests you in the following areas:

patient care
health promotion
practice setting
health promotion
communication and education
quality and safety
intra and inter-professional collaboration
knowledge and research application
ethical, legal and professional responsibilities

While the first part of the exam involves multiple-choice questions, the second part is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Quebec does not require the national board exam through the PEBC.

3. Get practical experience

After passing the national board exam, you must complete a practical training program. Typically, this training occurs under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. You can get this experience through co-op, an internship or an apprenticeship. Students use these programs to apply subjects they learn in school.

4. Join a professional organization and get a license

Consider joining the Canadian Pharmacists Association. You can also join the regulatory body in your province or territory and get a licence to practice pharmacy legally. For example, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia is the regulatory body for pharmacists in British Columbia. Licensing requirements vary across the country.

5. Be fluent in English or French

Finally, learn how to communicate in English or French.

What skills and qualifications do pharmacists need?

Pharmacists must have strong soft skills to perform their duties and responsibilities. They must also have hard skills and in-depth clinical pharmaceutical knowledge. Some skills and qualifications pharmacists need to succeed include:

Teamwork skills

Pharmacists must know how to work with nurses, physicians and other medical professionals. Teamwork skills include the ability to listen actively and share your ideas with others.

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Pharmacists help customers take medications safely and must know how to assess their needs. You must also analyze the effects of multiple medications to keep customers safe.

Interpersonal and communication skills

As a pharmacist, you must know how to interact with others. You must understand how to communicate clearly with patients and request key information from physicians.

Leadership skills

Pharmacists must know how to guide pharmacy technicians, pharmacy clerks and other professionals to reach a shared goal. They must be skilled at motivating and leading people.

Attention to detail

A pharmacist must follow prescriptions and provide customers with safe medications. As a pharmacist, you must be detail-oriented and organized.

Read more: Attention to Detail

Computer proficiency

Pharmacists typically use computer systems to retrieve a patient’s record, update prescription information and confirm insurance details. You must know how to use the software system in your pharmacy and enter data.

how to become a pharmacist in canada for international students

International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs)

Enrolment in NAPRA’s Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada is a mandatory first step towards licensure in Canada for international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) in all provinces except Québec.

Pharmacists Gateway Canada (Gateway) provides a number of tools for IPGs, including a public website where IPGs can find everything required to better understand and navigate the Canadian licensure process. The Gateway provides access to clear and up-to-date information on the licensure requirements in every province and territory across Canada and is a confidential national document repository accessible to the candidate, the PEBC and the pharmacy regulatory authority.

For further information about bridging programs that help IPGs successfully complete the licensing requirements to practice pharmacy in Canada, several programs are available:

The International Pharmacy Graduate Program — Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto in Toronto, ON
The Canadian Pharmacy Practice Programme — Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC
The International Pharmacy Bridging Program — Bredin Institute in Calgary, AB and Edmonton, AB

pebc for international graduates

Canadian Pharmacist License: Guidelines for Foreign Pharmacy Graduates

PEBC exams information to get pharmacist license for Foreign Pharmacy Graduates in Canada. This guide will provide you with all the information (including PEBC evaluation exam and PEBC qualifying exam information) required to become a pharmacist in Canada.

If you are graduated in pharmacy in a country other than Canada and U.S.A and would like to get a pharmacist license in Canada there are some procedures you should follow. They are,

First of all your back home degree should be evaluated by Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. (PEBC, Canada)
Then you have to pass two exams conducted by PEBC called ‘Evaluating Exam and Qualifying Exam’.
Once you pass the above two exams (PEBC Evaluation and Qualifying exams) you will be given a certificate called ‘Certificate of qualification’ by PEBC
Now it’s your turn to choose which province you would like to practice and obtain English score according to that province regulation
Next you have to finish sufficient hours of training in the pharmacy (usually there are 2 stages of training, studentship and internship)
Finally, pass the Law exam (Jurisprudence exam) and get the ‘Pharmacist License ’.

Let us explain you how each procedure follows:

I. Evaluation of Pharmacy degree by PEBC:

One important thing you all must know is, to practice pharmacy in Canada, all applicants trained outside of Canada must have PEBC’s ‘certificate of qualification’.
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) is the national certification body for the pharmacy profession in Canada. Evaluation of documents is the first step you start with to get certificate from PEBC which includes the evaluation of certain documents to make sure that you have a degree in pharmacy that is acceptable to the PEBC.

Documents required for Evaluation:

Application form with Fee
Documents to support identity such as, birth certificate or Marriage certificate
Immigration record of landing (only if you are landed in Canada)
University degree certificate
Transcript, (an original, current dated and mailed directly to PEBC office)
Licensing statement (current dated letter from licensing authority stating that your license is in ‘good standing’.

Some Tips:

Fill all parts of the application.
Make sure you have signed the application.
Have signature on photograph witnessed by notary.
Submit the right amount of fee in Canadian Dollars.
All the required documents are certified by Notary Public, commissioner for oaths etc., but not by a Consulate.

II. Evaluating and Qualifying exams:

Evaluating Exam:
Once the Document evaluation is done, next step is to pass Evaluating exam. This exam is designed to determine if you have completed a program of study comparable to that of Canadian standards. It will evaluate your knowledge in all areas of current pharmaceutical education in Canada. PEBC Evaluating exam will be administered twice during the testing year. It is two-day exam with 3.5 hour multiple-choice exam. You are only eligible to take the exam when your Document evaluation is completed.
Note: There are 2 separate application forms and Fee for ‘Document evaluation’ and ‘Evaluating Exam’.

How to become a Registered Pharmacist in Canada ? | PCI Registration

Some Tips:

If you want to take the exam with out any delay, apply both for ‘Document Evaluation’ and ‘Evaluating Exam’ otherwise you may miss the deadline for submission of your exam application.
If you are not in a rush to take the exam but would like to complete ‘Document Evaluation’ process, you can still apply as you have 5 years to pass the Evaluating Exam.

Qualifying Exam:
Qualifying exam is the final exam to pass for PEBC certification. You must pass your Evaluating exam to be qualified for qualifying exam.Qualifying exam (Part I and II) is comprehensive and objective.

Qualifying Exam – Part I is a multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam. It is a 2 days (3.5 hr/day) written exam. Questions in Part I basically related to pharmacy practice.

Qualifying Exam Part II: This part of the qualifying exam is an ‘Objective structured clinical examination’ (OSCE), and it is taken on a different day than part I. It consists of a series of 7-minute tasks or ‘stations’ simulating common and/or critical practical situations. These simulations often involve interactions with a standardized ‘patient’ ‘client’ or ‘health professional’. For more information, click here

III. Certificate of Qualification by PEBC:

Once you pass 2 parts of qualifying exam, you get PEBC Certification. PEBC certification alone is not enough to practice pharmacy in Canada. That is only a part of licensing process. Next part is to get the license in the province you desire to work. Every province has its own regulation to provide the license. Each province in Canada has additional requirements such as, practical experience, language proficiency and law exam etc. to be a licensed pharmacist in that province.

Basic procedures followed in Ontario are available in our website. If you like to know more about licensing procedures in province other than Ontario, check individual State or Provincial Regulatory Authorities of Pharmacists in Canada .

IV. English Fluency Exam:

Language proficiency is one of the requirements in licensing process here in Canada, but each province has their own options for type of English test you take and score you should get. For example, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, accepts, TOEFL (IBT), TOEFL (CBT) with TSE, MELAB (Michigan English Language assessment battery, IELTS (International English Language Testing system) Academic module, Can Test (to be taken only in Canada). French tests, such as TestCan, Test of Business French. (only in Ontario) For updated information click here

V. Structural Practical Training:

internationally trained pharmacists ontario

Before you start training in the Pharmacy, you have to register with that province’s regulatory body. Each province has its own guidelines for registration.

Registration in Ontario

In Ontario, there are different stages of registration as you go ahead with each step. Different stages of registration in Ontario are,

1. Pre-registration
2. Registration as a Student
3. Registration as an Intern
4. Registration as a Pharmacist

Stage 1: Pre-registration:

All applicants must Pre-register with OCP as the first step in the licensure process. Once the ‘pre-registration’ process is done, you will be assigned with a number ‘Student number’ with which you will contact the college for follow-ups.

NOTE: Pre-registration status with OCP expires five years from the date of pre-registration. To reactivate your file, you will be required to submit a Pre-Registration Form and fee again.

Stage 2: Registration as a Student:

To be registered with the College (OCP) as a ‘Student’, as per current regulation, you have to either complete all the PEBC exams with valid English Language Fluency or complete a part of IPG (International Pharmacy Graduate) program which is offered by the ‘University ofToronto’. This requirement might change with time, however, if you pre-register with the OCP, you will be informed all the changes. Once you are registered with the College as a ‘Student’, you can perform all the controlled acts, such as, ‘dispensing’ ‘Selling’ or ‘compounding’, in the pharmacy during your studentship.

Tip: Remember that once you pass your English, it should be valid till the end of the licensing process. So, plan your English accordingly. Usually English is valid for 2 years. While working as a student you can plan to take law exam as it is valid for four years in Ontario.

NOTE: ‘Studentship’ is a part of your official training in the pharmacy (either Community or Hospital) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist (Preceptor).

To be registered with the college as a student you have to submit:

As an International Pharmacy Graduate, you have to complete a minimum of 32 weeks of studentship. Based on your previous pharmacy experience in Canada, numbers of exams you have completed from PEBC so far, weather you have taken any IPG program , college takes decision how long you should do your studentship.

• Studentship application form
• Studentship application fee

Stage 3: Registration as an Intern

Once you have successfully completed your ‘studentship’, you have to register with the College as an ‘Intern’. Internship training is bit advanced where you will be working independently as pharmacist. Duration of Internship is usually around 12 weeks or 600 hours, but that decision will be taken by the college. One thing you must remember here that, your English proficiency should be still valid to be registered with college as an Intern.
To register as an Intern with the college, you have to submit:
• Internship application form
• Internship application fee
• Valid English proficiency
• Validity of the affidavit of good character since you pre-register with the college

VI. Final procedure is to pass ‘Jurisprudence exam’ and register as a Pharmacist:

To reach this state, you have to pass one final exam is called ‘Jurisprudence exam’ also called ‘Law exam’. As every province has it’s own regulating body, passing this exam is must to be registered as pharmacist in that province. For list boards please check Provincial Regulatory Authorities of Pharmacists in Canada
Jurisprudence Examination Information for Ontario
•General Information •Examination procedure •Examination policy •Examination format •Jurisprudence seminar

General Information:

The pharmaceutical Jurisprudence exam is based on the Ontario College of Pharmacist’s standards and policies, and Federal and Provincial acts and their regulations, which control the production, distribution, advertising, sales and use of drugs in Ontario. This exam is to assess the student knowledge, ability to interpret and apply all legislation that impacts on current pharmacy practice in Ontario. One must pass this exam to be registered as pharmacist.

Examination Procedure:

1. This exam is held 4 times a year 2. Duration of the exam is 2 ½ hours 3. The National Drug Schedules and Summary of Federal and Provincial Laws will be provided in the exam (Open Book model), so you should be familiar with the schedules, but don’t have to memorize them. 4. Although this exam can be taken at any stage in the registration process, it is recommended to pass this exam before ‘Internship’. 5. The passing mark is determined by summing up the minimum performance level across all items for a particular test. 6. Every candidate who fails the exam is provided with feedback for each section on the exam and the overall performance relative to the group. This feed back gives an idea that which areas you need to focus. 7. There is no specific passing score for this exam. Pass score depends on the degree of difficulty of the questions on that exam that means what percentage a student will answer the questions correctly.

Examination policy

1.this exam is valid for 4 years from the date of passing 2.student can attend this exam at any stage in the registration process 3.applicants can write this exam a maximum of 3 times in a year 4.results will be available with in 4 to 6 weeks 5.Specific acts focused in the exam are, Regulated Health Professions Acts and Code Pharmacy Act and Regulations Ontario College of pharmacists Bylaws and Policies Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act and Regulations Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act Ontario Drug Benefit Act and Regulations Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and Schedules Controlled Drug and Substances Act and regulations and Schedules 6.This exam is also offered in French.

Examination format:

Jurisprudence exam is a written exam with multiple choice questions. Following Acts and Regulations are covered in the exam. Percentage of questions on each area is,
1. Federal Drug Schedules and their sales, storage, prescription and record keeping requirements. (This section is open book and Drug schedules will be provided in the exam). Requirements for narcotic and controlled drug prescriptions (33 %) 2. Filling and labeling prescriptions (transfers, copies, faxing, mailing etc.) (17 %) 3. Billing and pricing of prescriptions (8 %) 4. Opening / closing of a pharmacy, ownership, advertising, accreditation standards etc, (12 %) 5. Ethics, standards and professional responsibilities (17 %) 6. Others such as registration requirements, complaints, discipline, scope of practice etc., (12 %)

Some model questions are given on Ontario College of Pharmacists website, click on the following link for more information.

Final step……….

After completing your internship, the law exam (Jurisprudence exam) and the PEBC certification exams with valid English fluency score, you will be finally registered with the college as a ‘pharmacist’. To be registered with the college as a ‘pharmacist’, you must submit:

Application for Certificate of registration as a pharmacist
Pharmacist application fee
Pharmacist annual fee (to renew your license, you have to pay fee to college every year)
Structural Practical Training Fee (studentship and internship training ) http://www.ocpinfo.com/client/ocp/OCPHome.nsf/

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist - CanadianVisa.org

How To Get Pharmacist License In Canada