CaliforniaPharmacist License Requirements

Prerequisite Education

At least 150 semester hours of college credit, 90 of which must be from a pharmacy school

Pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited program. Programs typically span 4 years and include didactic coursework, Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE), and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) totaling over 1,700 hours of clinical rotations.

The NAPLEX is a computer-adaptive exam administered by NABP that assesses pharmacy knowledge and competency. Most states also require the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination) to test knowledge of federal and state pharmacy law. California uses its own exam (CPJE) instead of the MPJE.

Most states require pharmacy intern hours completed under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Many states accept experiential hours completed during an ACPE-accredited PharmD program toward internship requirements. An intern permit is typically required to practice under supervision before licensure.

Prescriptive Authority

Advanced Practice Pharmacist (APh) designation allows independent prescribing, initiating and adjusting drug therapy, and ordering and interpreting lab tests

Restricted Activities

• •Diagnosing medical conditions
• •Prescribing outside authorized scope
• •Performing surgical procedures
• •Practicing medicine or dentistry

Pharmacist scope of practice varies by state and includes dispensing, compounding, immunization administration, medication therapy management, collaborative practice agreements, and point-of-care testing. Some states grant limited prescriptive authority through collaborative practice agreements or statewide protocols.

Immunization CE

APhA immunization delivery training or equivalent required for vaccine administration

Required CE Topics

Regulatory Board

Pharmacist licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state board of pharmacy. Continuing education requirements typically range from 15 to 30 hours per renewal cycle, with specific topics often mandated including pharmacy law, patient safety, immunization updates, and controlled substance management.

Reciprocity Requirements

• •Active pharmacist license in good standing in another state
• •Graduation from ACPE-accredited PharmD program
• •Passage of NAPLEX
• •Passage of CPJE (California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination)
• •At least 1 year of practice as licensed pharmacist (minimum 900 hours) or 1,500 intern hours
• •Pass criminal background check and fingerprinting

Pharmacist license transfers are facilitated through NABP's Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (e-LTPTM). Most states accept NAPLEX score transfers and offer licensure by endorsement for pharmacists already licensed in another state. Requirements typically include passing the MPJE for the new state, verification of credentials, and meeting state-specific requirements.