If you are an international candidate (excluding US) and looking to pursue your career as a Pharmacist in Canada and wondering where to start from, how to proceed further, what are the steps involved to becoming a pharmacist in Canada then worry not Elite Expertise at your rescue.

Steps to become a pharmacist in Canada

Step 1: Enrolling with Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada:

• Purpose: This is a mandatory step (except for Quebec) in the licensure process.

  • You will receive a NAPRA ID (National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities), which will be your candidate profile.

  • The profile stores your documents, language test reports, and exam results for review by regulatory authorities.

💵 Fees

• CAD 380.

Step 2: Document Evaluation by PEBC

• The NAPRA ID issued is essential for creating a portal with PEBC for Document Evaluation.

• Eligibility:

  • A four-year degree in pharmacy is a mandate.

• Documents:

  • A properly witnessed printed application form (Couriered to PEBC).

  • A certified copy of documents to support identity (Couriered to PEBC).

  • Documents to support graduation from an acceptable pharmacy program (Couriered or emailed to PEBC by your college).

  • Documents to support your international licensing status (Couriered or emailed to PEBC by your licensing authority).

  • Statutory declarations (mailed/couriered to PEBC).
    

• ⚠️ Discrepancies with documentation: In case of any discrepancies with the documents provided, PEBC will reach out to you through an email about any other required documents which might delay the time of evaluation below mentioned.
  

• Time for evaluation:

  • 8 weeks
    

• Results:

  • Once your Document Evaluation is finished, a results letter will be uploaded to the Digital Wallet in your Portal account within 5 business days.

💵 Fees

• CAD 715

Step 3: Pharmacist Evaluating Examination:

• This exam accesses foundational knowledge in the core subject areas of a Canadian pharmacy curriculum.

• Eligibility: Once your Document Evaluation is approved, the Evaluating Examination application will be added to your account within 5 business days.

• Number of attempts: Candidates are allowed three attempts. However, PEBC may review a petition for a fourth and final attempt. To gain approval for this additional attempt, candidates must submit documentation confirming the completion of remediation to PEBC. So totally four attempts are permitted for Pharmacy evaluating exam.

• Scheduling the Pharmacy evaluating examination:

  • Once you receive an invitation to schedule, no later than two weeks before the exam, you'll be responsible for arranging your evaluating examination with Prometric.

  • PEBC provides candidates with the flexibility of choosing between on-site testing at a Prometric test centre or utilizing Prometric's ProProctor Remote Proctoring Platform, allowing the candidates to take the test at their home, using their own computer and internet. This option is available to candidates residing anywhere in Canada or internationally, ensuring accessibility regardless of location.

• Evaluating Examination Format: It is a one-day, multiple-choice (MCQ) computer-based exam with no negative marking.

• Length of the exam: 3.25 hours

💵 Fees

• CAD 910

Subjects for the pharmacy evaluating examination:

• Biomedical Sciences

• Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Pharmacy Practice

• Behavioural, Social and Administrative Pharmacy Sciences

Examination blueprint: The percentage of questions appearing in the evaluating examination is fixed which helps the candidate to prepare accordingly.

Results for Pharmacy evaluating exam:

• After 5 weeks of the exam, the results will be posted on the PEBC website.

• The PEBC ID number of the candidate who has passed the exam will appear in the Pharmacist Evaluating Exam section of the website.

• No scores will be disclosed by PEBC. Only a pass or fail will be intimated to the candidate.

• After a weeks’ time these results will be posted in the digital wallet of each candidate.

Step 4: PEBC Qualifying Examination:

Once you have passed the PEBC Evaluating exam successfully the next step is the Qualifying exam. You can access the applications for the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II) on the Portal account.
There are two parts in the Qualifying exam: Part I and Part II of the Qualifying Examination are designed to access the fundamental aspects of competency required for entry-level practice in Canada.
These two Exams that is the, Part 1 and 2 exams can be taken in a single sitting or during separate sittings as per the candidate’s choice.

Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ)

Eligibility:

• Candidates who have cleared the documentation evaluation and the Pharmacy evaluation examination will become eligible for Pharmacist Qualifying examination

Number of attempts:

• Candidates are permitted a maximum of four attempts for each Part of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination. The fourth attempt might be provided to the candidate only after approval by the PEBC.

• Candidates must complete both Part I and Part II of the Qualifying Examination within a three-year period from the time they pass one part of the Qualifying Examination.

• If a candidate does not successfully complete both parts within this timeframe, they will need to retake and pass the part that they have already completed.

Format: It is a one-day, multiple choice (MCQs) computer-based exam with no negative marking and offered at secured proctor testing centres.

Duration of the exam: 4 hours 30 mins

Result: To maintain a consistent pass/fail standard across exams, considering variations in exam difficulty, an equating process is utilized. This statistical procedure determines the minimum number of correct answers required on a new exam to meet the established pass/fail standard. While the specific number of correct answers needed to pass may vary based on exam difficulty, the underlying estimate of ability representing the pass/fail standard remains constant.

💵 Fees

• CAD 855

Pharmacist Qualifying Examination—Part II (OSCE—objective structured clinical examination)

Eligibility: The next step is the OSCE exam:

• The candidate who has cleared the documentation evaluation and the Pharmacy evaluation examination will be eligible for Pharmacist Qualifying examination.

Number of attempts:

• Candidates are permitted a maximum of four attempts for each Part of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination. The fourth attempt might be provided to the candidate only after approval by the PEBC.

• Candidates must complete both Part I and Part II of the Qualifying Examination within a three-year period from the time they pass one part of the Qualifying Examination.

• If a candidate does not successfully complete both parts within the three years of time specified, they will need to retake and pass the part that they have already completed.

Format:

• The exam format of OSCE is entirely different from the previous exams.

• OSCE comprises of a series of “stations” simulating/replicating common and/or critical practical situations.

• These simulations often involve interactions with a “Standardized Patient” (SP) or “Standardized Client” (SC) (e.g., parent or caregiver) or “Standardized Health Professional” (SHP).

• Each station is designed to assess one or more competencies.

• A trained examiner, who has received training, will utilize standardized assessment criteria to observe, record, and evaluate candidates' interactions and task completion.

• OSCE consists of 13 examination stations plus rest stations.

• Each station consists of a task or problem to complete within 7 minutes.

These 13 examination stations consist of:

10 interactive stations,

2 non-interactive stations,

1 pretest station (interactive or non-interactive)

Length of the exam: ~6.5 hours (approximately)

Result: Your Total Score is calculated by adding up your ratings for Communication, Outcome, and Overall Performance across all twelve scored stations (excluding the pretest station). The passing score for the exam is determined by summing up these ratings across all 12 scored stations.

Results for Pharmacist Qualifying Examination:
Results are published on the PEBC website approximately six weeks after the exam. The results list includes the following details:

• PEBC ID numbers of candidates who passed either or both parts of the exam

• PEBC Registration Number for candidates who passed both parts of the Qualifying Exam

No additional information is provided on the results list, and it is accessible in the Pharmacist Qualifying Exam section of the website.

💵 Fees

• CAD 1915

Step 5: Registration with PEBC

• Upon successfully passing both parts of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination, your name will be added to the Register of The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, and you will be issued a Certificate of Qualification printed in either official language.

• While your Certificate is being prepared, your letter of exam results can serve as official confirmation of your registration with the Board.

• To ensure the timely delivery of your Certificate, it is important to inform the PEBC office in writing of any changes to your address to prevent any potential loss of your Certificate.

• Obtaining certification from the PEBC does not automatically grant an individual the privilege to practice pharmacy. Apart from PEBC certification, each province imposes additional prerequisites, which may include practical experience, language proficiency, and examinations on pharmacy legislation and practice standards, such as jurisprudence exams.

Step 6: English Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacist in Canada

• Canada officially recognizes two languages: English and French.

• However, English is the predominant language spoken in the majority of provinces and territories, thereby leaving the international program graduates (IPGs) to demonstrate sufficient language proficiency to understand and communicate effectively and ethically.

• Before starting the practical training or assessment program required by the pharmacy regulatory authority, if applicable, or at the specified stage in the process, individuals must provide proof of language proficiency accepted by the regulatory body.

• Some of the tests accepted and the minimum scores are as follows:

Step 7: Application to the PRA

• Candidates are required to submit an application directly to the pharmacy regulatory authority (PRA) of the province where they intend to obtain licensure, as well as through Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.

• While PRAs share many common requirements, each jurisdiction may have its own specific conditions for licensure.

• It's important for candidates to carefully review the application requirements of the jurisdiction where they plan to become licensed to ensure eligibility.

• Candidates have the option to change their designated PRA until they submit their application through Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be altered. However, candidates can add another PRA to their profiles if they have already applied to their designated PRA.

Bridging Programs:

• A pharmacy bridging program comprises educational courses provided by a recognized Canadian institution, tailored specifically for international pharmacy graduates (IPGs).

• These programs aim to assist IPGs in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to meet Canadian practice standards.

• The Bridging program entirely depends on the province’s PRA and its requirements.

Step 8: Structured Practical Training and Assessment

• Every pharmacy regulatory authority (PRA) mandates that candidates undergo a structured practical training program and/or assessment.

• Completion of these programs and assessments, as directed by the PRA, ensures that international pharmacy graduates gain experience in a pharmacy patient care setting and can adhere to national entry-to-practice competency standards.

• Each province has varying requirements regarding the duration of structured practical training and the assessment process.

Step 9: Jurisprudence Examinations:

• The jurisprudence examination or course evaluates candidates' understanding and application of laws, standards, and policies relevant to pharmacy practice.

• These regulations govern various aspects including pharmacy operations and the handling of drugs concerning production, distribution, advertising, sale, and usage.

• Each jurisdiction administers its own examination to assess candidates' comprehension of these legal frameworks.

Step 10: Licensure Registration:

• Obtaining a license/registration marks the final stage of the licensure or registration process.

• The pharmacy regulatory authority (PRA) verifies that the candidate has fulfilled all necessary requirements for licensure.

• Candidates are responsible for paying a fee which vary among different provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) for their license.

• The candidate will need to renew their license annually, accompanied by a fee.

• The annual renewal fee may differ from the initial registration fee.

• Additionally, candidates must acquire and uphold personal professional liability insurance coverage, which assists pharmacists in covering legal expenses in case of a lawsuit.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a licensed pharmacist in Canada requires dedication, financial investment, and time, but with the right approach, the process can be manageable and rewarding. By following these structured steps, you can successfully navigate the PEBC exam process, licensure requirements, and practical training to achieve your goal efficiently.

At Elite Expertise, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to international pharmacy graduates, helping them understand and complete the licensure journey with confidence.

For official guidelines and updates, visit:
⭐️ PEBC Official Website
⭐️ NAPRA Official Website

Summary of Costs & Timeline

Total Estimated Cost: $5,000 - $10,000+ CAD

This blog is for informational purposes only and reflects our views and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, licensing requirements and regulations may change. Readers are advised to verify information with official sources such as the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) before making any decisions. We do not assume responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.

⚠️ Disclaimer

About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise