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California Pharmacist — Requirements & Free Practice

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Pharmacist

California pharmacist license issued under Business and Professions Code section 4200.

Licensing authority: California State Board of Pharmacy · Application information

New license after cancellation for non renewal beyond three years (examination required for initial licensure)
Age
At least 18 years of age (BPC 4200(a)(1)).
Background Check
Fingerprints for Department of Justice and FBI criminal history, signed examination security acknowledgment, and sealed NPDB self-query report (16 CCR 1728(a); application 17M-29).
Board Conditions
The Board may impose conditions on a license issued under BPC 4402 as it deems necessary (BPC 4402(b)(2)).
Cancellation
Pharmacist license canceled by operation of law because it was not renewed within three years following its expiration (BPC 4402(a)); a new license requires passing the examination required for initial licensure (BPC 4402(b)(1)).
Collegiate Study
At least 150 semester units of collegiate study in the United States or the foreign equivalent, at least 90 in resident attendance at a school or college of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(3)), and at least a baccalaureate degree in a course of study devoted to the practice of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(4)).
Education
Graduated from a college or department of pharmacy recognized by the Board (ACPE-accredited or candidate status, or otherwise recognized; 16 CCR 1719), or, for a graduate of a foreign pharmacy school, certification by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) administered by NABP (BPC 4200(a)(2)(B)); the Board states California law provides no waiver of FPGEC certification.
Exam Attempts
Each of NAPLEX and CPJE may be taken four times; four additional attempts each require at least 16 additional semester units of approved pharmacy education (BPC 4200.1, 16 CCR 1725); 45-day wait after a failure (BPC 4200.4).
Exam Currency
The CPJE passed must, at the time of application for licensure, be based on a current occupational analysis or one replaced no more than one year before the application (BPC 4200(a)(6)); the Board states the current CPJE occupational analysis took effect 6/1/2022 and evaluates results each time an application is processed and at licensure.
Fees
Nonrefundable application fee of $260 for the pharmacist examination for licensure application (17M-29); licensing fee on approval.
Foreign Graduate Detail
FPGEC-certified foreign graduates are deemed to satisfy BPC 4200(a)(3) and (4); those certified before January 1, 1998 must also provide a Test of Spoken English score of at least 50 (at least 220 if taken before June 30, 1995) (16 CCR 1720.1). FPGEC certification is an NABP certification program; the Board sources do not name the examinations it comprises.
Multistate Jurisprudence Mention
16 CCR 1720(c) (regulation) states each applicant is solely responsible for complying with the requirements of the administrators of the NAPLEX and "the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for California"; BPC 4200(a)(6) (statute, higher rank) names only the NAPLEX and the CPJE as the examinations passed, and the Board bulletin describes the CPJE as one of two examinations required for licensure, the other being the NAPLEX.
Naplex
NAPLEX passed under BPC 4200(a)(6)(A) or (B), as for initial licensure.
Practice Experience
1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience under BPC 4209 and 16 CCR 1728 (at least 900 hours in a pharmacy, both community and institutional settings); graduates of a recognized school on or after January 1, 2016 are deemed to satisfy it (BPC 4209(d)); an applicant licensed as a pharmacist in any state for at least one year may satisfy it by certification under BPC 4209(c).
Initial licensure by examination (NAPLEX within the current occupational analysis and CPJE)
Age
At least 18 years of age (BPC 4200(a)(1)).
Background Check
Fingerprints for Department of Justice and FBI criminal history, signed examination security acknowledgment, and sealed NPDB self-query report (16 CCR 1728(a); application 17M-29).
Collegiate Study
At least 150 semester units of collegiate study in the United States or the foreign equivalent, at least 90 in resident attendance at a school or college of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(3)), and at least a baccalaureate degree in a course of study devoted to the practice of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(4)).
Education
Graduated from a college or department of pharmacy recognized by the Board (ACPE-accredited or candidate status, or otherwise recognized; 16 CCR 1719), or, for a graduate of a foreign pharmacy school, certification by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) administered by NABP (BPC 4200(a)(2)(B)); the Board states California law provides no waiver of FPGEC certification.
Exam Attempts
Each of NAPLEX and CPJE may be taken four times; four additional attempts each require at least 16 additional semester units of approved pharmacy education (BPC 4200.1, 16 CCR 1725); 45-day wait after a failure (BPC 4200.4).
Exam Currency
The CPJE passed must, at the time of application for licensure, be based on a current occupational analysis or one replaced no more than one year before the application (BPC 4200(a)(6)); the Board states the current CPJE occupational analysis took effect 6/1/2022 and evaluates results each time an application is processed and at licensure.
Fees
Nonrefundable application fee of $260 for the pharmacist examination for licensure application (17M-29); licensing fee on approval.
Foreign Graduate Detail
FPGEC-certified foreign graduates are deemed to satisfy BPC 4200(a)(3) and (4); those certified before January 1, 1998 must also provide a Test of Spoken English score of at least 50 (at least 220 if taken before June 30, 1995) (16 CCR 1720.1). FPGEC certification is an NABP certification program; the Board sources do not name the examinations it comprises.
Multistate Jurisprudence Mention
16 CCR 1720(c) (regulation) states each applicant is solely responsible for complying with the requirements of the administrators of the NAPLEX and "the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for California"; BPC 4200(a)(6) (statute, higher rank) names only the NAPLEX and the CPJE as the examinations passed, and the Board bulletin describes the CPJE as one of two examinations required for licensure, the other being the NAPLEX.
Naplex
NAPLEX passed that, at the time of application for licensure, was based on an occupational analysis that is current or was replaced no more than one year before the application (BPC 4200(a)(6)(B)); the Board states the current NAPLEX occupational analysis took effect 5/1/2025. NAPLEX scores must be transferred to California through NABP.
Practice Experience
1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience under BPC 4209 and 16 CCR 1728 (at least 900 hours in a pharmacy, both community and institutional settings); graduates of a recognized school on or after January 1, 2016 are deemed to satisfy it (BPC 4209(d)); an applicant licensed as a pharmacist in any state for at least one year may satisfy it by certification under BPC 4209(c).
Initial licensure of a pharmacist actively licensed in another U.S. state or territory (NAPLEX passed on or after January 1, 2004, and CPJE)
Age
At least 18 years of age (BPC 4200(a)(1)).
Background Check
Fingerprints for Department of Justice and FBI criminal history, signed examination security acknowledgment, and sealed NPDB self-query report (16 CCR 1728(a); application 17M-29).
Collegiate Study
At least 150 semester units of collegiate study in the United States or the foreign equivalent, at least 90 in resident attendance at a school or college of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(3)), and at least a baccalaureate degree in a course of study devoted to the practice of pharmacy (BPC 4200(a)(4)).
Education
Graduated from a college or department of pharmacy recognized by the Board (ACPE-accredited or candidate status, or otherwise recognized; 16 CCR 1719), or, for a graduate of a foreign pharmacy school, certification by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) administered by NABP (BPC 4200(a)(2)(B)); the Board states California law provides no waiver of FPGEC certification.
Exam Attempts
Each of NAPLEX and CPJE may be taken four times; four additional attempts each require at least 16 additional semester units of approved pharmacy education (BPC 4200.1, 16 CCR 1725); 45-day wait after a failure (BPC 4200.4).
Exam Currency
The CPJE passed must, at the time of application for licensure, be based on a current occupational analysis or one replaced no more than one year before the application (BPC 4200(a)(6)); the Board states the current CPJE occupational analysis took effect 6/1/2022 and evaluates results each time an application is processed and at licensure.
Fees
Nonrefundable application fee of $260 for the pharmacist examination for licensure application (17M-29); licensing fee on approval.
Foreign Graduate Detail
FPGEC-certified foreign graduates are deemed to satisfy BPC 4200(a)(3) and (4); those certified before January 1, 1998 must also provide a Test of Spoken English score of at least 50 (at least 220 if taken before June 30, 1995) (16 CCR 1720.1). FPGEC certification is an NABP certification program; the Board sources do not name the examinations it comprises.
License Verification
Current license verification from each state in which the applicant holds or held a pharmacist license before authorization to test (16 CCR 1728(b)).
Multistate Jurisprudence Mention
16 CCR 1720(c) (regulation) states each applicant is solely responsible for complying with the requirements of the administrators of the NAPLEX and "the Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for California"; BPC 4200(a)(6) (statute, higher rank) names only the NAPLEX and the CPJE as the examinations passed, and the Board bulletin describes the CPJE as one of two examinations required for licensure, the other being the NAPLEX.
Naplex
NAPLEX passed on or after January 1, 2004 (BPC 4200(a)(6)(A)); scores or licensure transfer through NABP.
Out Of State License
Holds an active pharmacist license in another state or territory of the United States (BPC 4200(a)(6)(A)); an inactive out-of-state license does not qualify, per the Board results-validity notice.
Practice Experience
1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience under BPC 4209 and 16 CCR 1728 (at least 900 hours in a pharmacy, both community and institutional settings); graduates of a recognized school on or after January 1, 2016 are deemed to satisfy it (BPC 4209(d)); an applicant licensed as a pharmacist in any state for at least one year may satisfy it by certification under BPC 4209(c).
Biennial renewal, late renewal within three years of expiration, and reactivation of an inactive pharmacist license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
30 hours of approved continuing pharmacy education in the preceding two years, including at least one hour of cultural competency; not required for the first renewal (BPC 4231(b)-(c)).
Disclosures
Fingerprint record, conviction and discipline disclosures on renewal (16 CCR 1702).
Expiration Limit
A license not renewed within three years of expiration is canceled and cannot be renewed (BPC 4402(a)).
Inactive License
A renewal without proof of continuing education results in an inactive license, reactivated by paying renewal fees due and proving 30 hours of continuing education (BPC 4231(d)-(e)).
Renewal Fee
Biennial renewal fee (BPC 4401); delinquent fees must be paid (BPC 4403).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2024-01-01.

Restoration of a retired license to active pharmacist status within three years of issuance of the retired license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Continuing education consistent with BPC 4231(b) completed within the two years preceding the request (BPC 4200.5(d)(2)).
Fee
Renewal fee under BPC 4400(e) (BPC 4200.5(d)(2)).
Fingerprints
Criminal offender record information search under 16 CCR 1702(a)(3).
Timing
Request within three years of issuance of the retired license (BPC 4200.5(d)(1)); after three years the holder must reapply for licensure under BPC 4200 (BPC 4200.5(d)(3)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-01.

California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists

Provider
PSI Services LLC for the California State Board of Pharmacy
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination at designated test centers
Exam questions
90 multiple-choice questions: 75 scored and 15 unscored pretest items
Time limit
Two hours
Passing score
Scaled score of 75 on a 0-99 scale (criterion-referenced)
Exam fee
$36.91 PSI examination fee per registration, plus the Board application fee of $260
Examination outline
  • PATIENT INFORMATION AND PRESCRIPTION EVALUATION: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Collect, Organize, and Evaluate Information
    • Obtain information from the patient/patient's representative for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Obtain information from prescriber and/or health care professionals for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Obtain information from the patient's medical record for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Assess prescription/medication order for completeness, correctness, authenticity, and legality
    • Assess prescription/medication order for appropriateness (e.g., drug selection, dosage, drug interactions, dosage form, delivery system)
    • Evaluate the medical record/patient profile for any or all of the following: disease states, clinical condition, medication use, allergies, adverse drug reactions, disabilities, medical/surgical therapies, laboratory findings, physical assessments and/or diagnostic tests
    • Perform physical assessment (e.g., vital signs/blood pressure measurement, observations of signs/symptoms)
    • Perform health screening (e.g., blood glucose checks, diagnostic tests)
    • Evaluate the pharmaceutical information needs of the patient/patient's representative
    • Dispense Medications
    • Determine the appropriate product(s) to be dispensed for a prescription/medication order
    • Document preparation of medication in various dosage forms (e.g., compounding, repackaging)
    • Meet the regulatory requirements associated with preparation and dispensing of controlled substances
    • Verify label(s) for prescription containers
    • Perform the final check for medications, products, preparations, or devices prior to dispensing
    • Use automated drug delivery systems
    • Administer immunizations
    • Administer medications and biologicals as ordered by a prescriber, per protocol, or scope of practice
    • Participate in compounding (sterile and non-sterile)
  • CLINICAL PRACTICE: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Determine a Course of Action
    • Develop a therapeutic regimen for prescription medications (e.g., recommend alteration of prescribed drug regimen, select drug if necessary, perform medication therapy management)
    • Determine appropriateness of non-prescription medications as part of a treatment plan (e.g., product selection, duration of therapy)
    • Determine appropriateness of non-drug therapy as part of a treatment plan (e.g., self-care, lifestyle modification)
    • Collaborate with health care team and patient to determine goals of therapy and course of action
    • Assess changes in health status (e.g., onset of new disease states, changes in clinical condition)
    • Perform monitoring and therapeutic management activities
    • Manage drug therapy according to protocols or scope of practice
    • Use a formulary system (e.g., therapeutic conversions and interchanges, advising patients and prescribers, tier/formulary restrictions, insurance formularies, evaluation of products, guidelines)
    • Resolve problems that arise with patient's therapy (e.g., adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, non-adherence)
    • Make evidence-based pharmacotherapy decisions
    • Assess patient for immunization needs
    • Resolve problems with medication affordability (e.g., insurance coverage, patient assistance programs, manufacturer cost reduction program)
    • Perform medication reconciliation (including high-risk hospitalized patients)
    • Recommend/order necessary monitoring procedures (e.g., renal/hepatic function, glucose levels, EKG, drug levels)
    • Initiate pharmacist-provider therapies (e.g., immunization, hormonal contraceptives, smoking cessation, travel-related medications)
    • Educate Patients and Health Care Professionals
    • Assess the patient's/patient representative's understanding of health information (e.g., disease state, prevention, treatment plan)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding prescription medication therapy and devices
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding nonprescription medication (OTC)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding herbal/complementary/alternative therapies
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding non-drug therapy (e.g., self-care, lifestyle modification)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding self-monitoring of therapy (e.g., devices, symptoms)
    • Verify the patient's/patient representative's understanding of the information presented
    • Educate health care professionals (e.g., precepting intern pharmacists and answer drug information questions from health care providers/students)
    • Communicate results of monitoring to patient/patient's representative, prescriber, and/or other health care professionals
    • Provide supplemental information as indicated (e.g., medication guides, CA pharmacist provided therapy)
  • PHARMACY OPERATIONS: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Pharmaceuticals, Devices and Supplies, and Inventory Control
    • Ensure quality specifications for pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, devices, and supplies (e.g., sourcing, track and trace, storage)
    • Place orders for devices, supplies, and pharmaceuticals (including controlled substances)
    • Maintain a record-keeping system of items purchased/received/returned in compliance with legal requirements (e.g., dangerous drugs, devices, supplies)
    • Maintain a record of controlled substances ordered, received, stored, and removed from inventory
    • Dispose of expired, returned, or recalled pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment devices, supplies, and document actions taken
    • Respond to changes in product availability (e.g., drug shortages, recalls)
    • Prepare for and respond to emergency situations
    • Design and implement policies to prevent theft and/or drug diversion
    • Perform Quality Assurance/Improvement
    • Assess competence of pharmacy personnel (e.g., pharmacists, technicians, interns, clerks)
    • Ensure the accuracy of medication administration (e.g., infusion pump reports, barcode medication administration, device re-education)
    • Participate in a system to monitor quality measures and improve patient outcomes (e.g., medication use evaluations, medication error reduction program)
    • Participate in a system to monitor/improve medication use including quality assurance programs (e.g., opioid stewardship, standard ordersets, peer review, self-evaluation)
    • Participate in a system for medication error prevention, assessment, and reporting (e.g., root cause analysis, National Patient Safety Goals, medication error reduction program)
    • Participate in a system by which adverse drug reactions and interactions are prevented, documented, evaluated, and reported
    • Manage Operations, Human Resources and Information Systems
    • Monitor the practice site and/or service area for compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and professional standards/guidelines
    • Supervise the work of pharmacy personnel (on-site and remote)
    • Ensure the availability, control, and confidentiality of patient and prescription information (e.g., patient profiles, medication administration records)
    • Participate in the development of pharmacy policies and procedures, protocols, order sets, and/or therapeutic guidelines
    • Participate in the use of pharmacy information systems and technology (e.g., electronic health record, e-prescribing, automated drug dispensing systems, CURES)
Examination sources

North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination

Provider
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
Format
Computerized fixed form
Exam questions
225 questions
Time limit
6 hours
Passing score
Pass or Fail
Examination outline
  • Foundational Knowledge for Pharmacy Practice (25%)
    • Pharmaceutical science principles and concepts
    • Pharmaceutical science principles and concepts: Pharmacology
    • Pharmaceutical science principles and concepts: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, or pharmacogenomics
    • Pharmaceutical science principles and concepts: Pharmaceutics
    • Pharmaceutical compounding
    • Pharmaceutical compounding: Nonsterile preparations
    • Pharmaceutical compounding: Sterile preparations
    • Pharmaceutical calculations
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Patient parameters or laboratory measures
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Quantities of drugs to be dispensed or administered
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Rates of administration
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Dose conversions
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Drug concentrations, ratio strengths, osmolarity, or osmolality
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Quantities of drugs or ingredients to be compounded
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Nutritional needs and the content of nutrient sources
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Biostatistical, epidemiological, or pharmacoeconomic measures
    • Pharmaceutical calculations: Pharmacokinetic parameters
    • Drug development processes (eg, clinical trial phases, emergency use authorizations)
    • Research design principles and biostatistics (eg, blinding, randomization, biases, statistical tests and outcomes, ethics)
    • Retrieval, assessment, and interpretation of primary, secondary, and tertiary resources
  • Medication Use Process (Prescribing, Transcribing and Documenting, Dispensing, Administering, and Monitoring) (25%)
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation: Drug names and therapeutic classes
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation: Indications, usage, and dosing regimens
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation: Available dosage forms
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation: Prescription regulations (eg, boxed warnings, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies)
    • Prescriptions and medication order interpretation: Safety and effectiveness (eg, laboratory parameters, vital signs)
    • Therapeutic substitutions (eg, formulary restrictions, therapeutic alternatives, shortages, biosimilars)
    • Immunization services and documentation
    • Immunization services and documentation: Indications and scheduling
    • Immunization services and documentation: Contraindications and precautions
    • Immunization services and documentation: Storage and handling
    • Immunization services and documentation: Administration (eg, techniques, preparation, routes)
    • Immunization services and documentation: Adverse reactions
    • Medication handling, storage, stability, and disposal (eg, hazardous and nonhazardous drugs, controlled substances, parenteral medications, sharps handling, temperature control)
  • Person-Centered Assessment and Treatment Planning (40%)
    • Medication history, allergy history, and reconciliation
    • Health histories, screenings, and assessments
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Signs, symptoms, and findings of medical conditions, etiology of diseases, or pathophysiology
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Appropriateness of therapy (eg, medications, immunizations, non-drug therapy, dosing, contraindications, warnings, evidence-based decision making)
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Interactions (eg, drug-drug, drug-condition, drug-food, drug-allergy, drug-laboratory)
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Errors and omissions (eg, dosing, duplication, additional therapy needed, unnecessary therapy)
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Adverse drug reactions
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Toxicologic exposures and overdoses
    • Patient health conditions, including special populations and medication-related factors: Adherence
    • Therapeutic monitoring, plan development, evaluation, and modifications
    • Therapeutic monitoring, plan development, evaluation, and modifications: Therapeutic goals, clinical endpoints, and follow-up
    • Therapeutic monitoring, plan development, evaluation, and modifications: Safety
    • Therapeutic monitoring, plan development, evaluation, and modifications: Effectiveness
    • Patient education
    • Patient education: Lifestyle modifications and health maintenance
    • Patient education: Medication use, storage, and disposal
    • Patient education: Disease state management
    • Over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements
    • Devices to administer medications and self-monitoring tests
  • Professional Practice (5%)
    • Adverse drug event reporting and medication error reporting (eg, MedWatch, VAERS)
    • Public health initiatives and risk-prevention programs (eg, tobacco and nicotine cessation, antimicrobial stewardship, health screenings, opioid stewardship)
    • Social determinants and drivers of health
    • Ethical considerations (eg, informed consent, ethical principles, professional conduct and responsibility, patient confidentiality)
  • Pharmacy Management and Leadership (5%)
    • Pharmacy operations (eg, operational planning, risk management, regulations and regulatory bodies, technology applications and informatics, error-prevention strategies, medication safety)
    • Inventory and supply management (eg, drug recalls, drug shortages)
    • Quality improvement activities (eg, medication use evaluation, root-cause analysis, continuous quality improvement)
    • Mentorship and preceptorship (eg, providing and receiving feedback, delegation of work activities, preceptor roles)
Examination sources