How to Get a US Pharmacy License as a Foreign-Trained Pharmacist

This guide is for internationally educated pharmacists — known as Foreign Pharmacy Graduates (FPGs) — seeking pharmacist licensure in the United States. Whether you trained in India, Egypt, Canada, the Philippines, or another country, the pathway to US pharmacy licensure involves FPGEC certification through NABP, followed by the NAPLEX and MPJE licensing examinations, supervised internship hours, and state board licensure.

Demand for licensed pharmacists remains strong across the 51 states we track. This guide walks through the most common pathway for foreign pharmacy graduates, from initial credential evaluation through receiving your state pharmacy license.

Step 1: FPGEC Certification

The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) is a program administered by NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy). FPGEC certification confirms that your foreign pharmacy degree is equivalent to a pharmacy degree from a US ACPE-accredited institution and is a required step for most foreign-trained pharmacists seeking US licensure.

Documents typically required for FPGEC:

• Official pharmacy school transcripts sent directly from your institution
• Degree or diploma certificate
• License verification from your home country's pharmacy regulatory authority (if licensed)
• Copy of your passport (identity verification)
• TOEFL iBT score report

The FPGEC application fee is substantial — NABP's fee schedule should be verified directly on the NABP FPGEC program page, as fees are subject to change. Start gathering documents as early as possible, as international institution responses can significantly affect your timeline.

Step 2: English Proficiency (TOEFL iBT)

English proficiency via the TOEFL iBT is required as part of the FPGEC certification process. You must submit official TOEFL iBT scores directly to NABP as part of your FPGEC application.

Minimum TOEFL iBT score requirements are set by NABP and are subject to change. Verify the current minimum score thresholds directly on the NABP website before registering for the exam. Some applicants from countries where English is the primary language of instruction in pharmacy education may be eligible for an exemption — check with NABP for specific exemption criteria.

Step 3: FPGEE Examination

The FPGEE (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination) is a computer-based exam that tests pharmacy knowledge equivalent to what is expected of graduates from US ACPE-accredited pharmacy programs. You must pass the FPGEE to complete FPGEC certification.

• Format: Computer-based examination administered at testing centers
• Content: Covers pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy practice topics
• Eligibility: You must have an approved FPGEC application before you can register for the FPGEE

Once you pass the FPGEE and meet all other FPGEC requirements (credential evaluation and TOEFL iBT), NABP will issue your FPGEC certificate.

Step 4: Internship Hours

Most states require foreign pharmacy graduates to complete a supervised pharmacy internship under a licensed pharmacist before they are eligible for state licensure. Internship requirements vary by state.

Required internship hours vary by state, with many states requiring approximately 1,000–1,500 hours of supervised pharmacy practice. Some states may allow credit for prior pharmacy experience, while others require hours to be completed within the US. Check your target state's board of pharmacy for specific internship requirements before beginning this step.

LicenseMap covers pharmacist licensing requirements across all 51 states, including internship hour requirements, exam details, and fees.

Step 5: NAPLEX and MPJE Examinations

After obtaining FPGEC certification and meeting internship requirements, you must pass two national licensure examinations:

• NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) — A computer-adaptive test that assesses competency in pharmacy practice. The same exam is taken by US pharmacy graduates. Administered through Pearson VUE after receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT) from your state board.
• MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination) — Tests knowledge of federal and state pharmacy law. The MPJE is state-specific because pharmacy law varies by state — you must pass the MPJE for each state in which you seek licensure.

Both exams are administered through Pearson VUE. You must apply for your state license before NABP will issue an ATT for each examination.

Step 6: State Licensure

Once you have obtained FPGEC certification, completed required internship hours, and passed both the NAPLEX and MPJE, you can apply for your pharmacist license with the state board of pharmacy in the state where you intend to practice. Each state has its own application process, fees, and additional requirements.

LicenseMap tracks pharmacist licensing requirements across 51 states. Visit our state-by-state pharmacist requirements page to find specific application details, fees, and continuing education requirements for any state. See also our pharmacist license cost by state guide for a detailed breakdown of licensing fees.

Credential Evaluation

For foreign pharmacy graduates, credential evaluation is handled through NABP's FPGEC program. NABP evaluates your pharmacy school transcripts and degree to confirm equivalency with US pharmacy education standards.

Some states may also accept general credential evaluations from services such as World Education Services (WES) for non-pharmacy portions of your application, but for pharmacy-specific credential evaluation, the FPGEC process through NABP is the standard pathway. Always verify which evaluations your target state board accepts before submitting.

Visa & Immigration Overview

International pharmacists pursuing US employment typically use one of the following visa categories:

• H-1B (Specialty Occupation) — Pharmacists qualify as specialty occupation workers and may be sponsored by a US employer for an H-1B visa. Subject to annual caps and employer sponsorship requirements.
• EB-2 / EB-3 (Employment-Based Immigrant Visa) — Pathways to permanent residency (green card) for pharmacists with an employer sponsor. EB-2 is for advanced degree professionals; EB-3 covers skilled workers. Processing times vary significantly by country of origin.
• TN Visa (USMCA) — Available specifically to Canadian (and Mexican) pharmacists under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Pharmacist is a TN-eligible profession, making this a more streamlined work authorization option for Canadian pharmacists with no annual cap.

Estimated Costs

The following table provides approximate costs for the major steps in the foreign pharmacy graduate licensure pathway. Actual fees may vary and should be verified directly with the relevant organization.

Costs are approximate and subject to change. Additional expenses may include document translation, courier fees for international transcripts, and immigration attorney fees. Verify all fees directly with NABP and your state board of pharmacy before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Pharmacist License Requirements by State — Compare requirements, fees, and internship hours across all 51 states
• Pharmacist License Cost by State — Detailed breakdown of initial licensing fees in every state
• How to Become a Pharmacist (Domestic Guide) — The complete US-based pathway to pharmacist licensure
• International Credential Evaluation Guide — Overview of credential evaluation for all professions