Pennsylvania Pharmacy License

Want to start your career as a pharmacist in Pennsylvania? We are here to help you. In this article, you will learn about the requirements of pharmaceutical licensing in Pennsylvania, the process of registration with the PA Licensing System (PALS), State Board laws & regulations, and more.

How do I get my pharmacy license in PA?

Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy issues licenses for pharmacists providing health care services. To obtain a pharmacist license authorized by the PA Board you need to:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a good moral and professional character
• Have a Pharm.D. or B.S. in Pharmacy from a school of pharmacy accredited by the ACPE
• Pass a criminal background check
• Have completed 1,500 hours acceptable intern hours
• Passing scores of North American Pharmacist Examination (NAPLEX) and PA Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)

The application for a pharmacist license should be made through the PALS website to create your new account.  Then, select the State Board of Pharmacy and fill out all the questions.

Once you fill out the application form, you should pay the required fee to complete your application. To get real-time updates of your application make sure to regularly check your emails or visit your account on PALS.

If you already have an active pharmacist license from another state you can transfer your license to PA. However, you should meet the Board criteria for the license reciprocity program. Applicants for a license transfer in PA should have:

• D. or B.S in Pharmacy degree accredited by the ACPE
• Foreign Pharmacist Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certification through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) if you are a graduate of a foreign pharmacy school
• Passing scores of acceptable national exams (NAPLEX, NABPLEX) under PA score standards
• Proof of completing 1,500 acceptable intern hours or at least 1 year, full-time work experience as a pharmacist in another US state to be eligible to take the PA MPJE exam

If you have further questions regarding the application, licensure, or/and for any technical support related to the PALS you can create a ticket and fill out your queries.

Can a non-pharmacist own a pharmacy in PA?

As State Board of Pharmacy, 49 Pa. Code § 27.12 states “It is unlawful for a person not licensed as a pharmacist by the Board to engage or allow another person to engage in the practice of pharmacy as defined in § 27.1”. To learn more about the Board regulations visit here.

How long does it take to get a pharmacy tech license in PA?

State Board of Pharmacy measures the duration of pharmacist licensure through time frames. During phase 1, which takes 4-5 weeks, the Department receives the notice of your program completion from your institution. This time the Department also notifies you if you are eligible to take the exam or your application is incomplete.

During phase 2, which takes 6-7 weeks, the applicant or third-party entity will respond to the Department with all application requirements. The Department will receive a notification of successfully completing the exams.

And finally, in phase 3, which takes less than a week, the Department will complete the application review and issue your pharmacist license.