As regulated health care professionals, pharmacists are responsible and accountable to patients through legislation and the standards and bylaws of the professional regulatory authority in the province in which they practise. Provincial legislation and standards set out the requirements for licensure to practice. One of the requirements for initial registration and licensure is certification of an applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities at entry to practice. This certification is granted by the PEBC to those who successfully complete the PEBC Qualifying Examination – Part I (MCQ) and Part II (OSCE). The Board is responsible for:
- assessing the qualifications of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on behalf of provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities
- ensuring that entry-level pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have the necessary professional knowledge, skills and abilities to practise pharmacy within their scope of practice, in a safe and effective manner.
More information is available on the PEBC website: About Us
Registration and Licensure to Practise as a Pharmacist in Canada
Seeking initial registration and licensure to practise as a pharmacist involves the following:
- completion of an approved pharmacy education program, in which the academic institution awards a degree as evidence that the student has successfully completed an approved course of study to become a pharmacist
- successful completion of an evaluation of entry-level competence to practise pharmacy safely and effectively
- fulfilling all requirements of a provincial or territorial regulatory authority, demonstrating the individual’s overall qualification and readiness to begin practice as a pharmacist.
The provincial and territorial regulatory authorities (with the exception of Québec) use the Certificate of Qualification, issued by PEBC, as one requirement for licensure. PEBC certification alone doesNOT give an individual the right to practise pharmacy. In addition to PEBC certification, each province has additional requirements, such as practical experience, language proficiency, and jurisprudence examinations on pharmacy legislation and practice standards.
Registration and the granting of a provincial or territorial license provides evidence to the public of the individual’s overall qualification, practice training, and readiness to begin practice as a pharmacist in that jurisdiction. PEBC certification alone does NOT give an individual the right to practise.
For further information regarding licensing requirements in a province or territory, contact theprovincial regulatory authority (PRA) in the province or territory where you are seeking licensure.
Language Proficiency
Candidates for licensure are advised to contact the appropriate provincial regulatory authority for full information regarding language proficiency requirements for licensure in an individual province or territory.
Although PEBC has no language fluency requirements, you are advised that language proficiency will affect performance in both the Evaluating Examination and the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II). Effective written and verbal communication skills (at levels satisfactory for a health professional) are essential competencies for practice and for success in taking the PEBC examinations. Do not overlook this important step in your preparations.
Eligibility Requirements for International Pharmacy Graduates Seeking to Take the Qualifying Examination
1. American
If you are a graduate possessing a professional undergraduate degree in pharmacy, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), you may apply directly for the Qualifying Examination. However, you must first have your qualifications assessed to confirm your eligibility, and you need to contact the PEBC office for further information. All graduates of American Universities must arrange to have their final transcripts sent to PEBC, directly from the university.
2. All Other International Pharmacy Graduates
For all other graduates, you must first have your qualifications evaluated (through PEBC Document Evaluation and the PEBC Evaluating Examination) to determine your eligibility to take the Qualifying Examination. If you have not yet been evaluated in this manner, you should contact the PEBC office, in writing, or check the PEBC website: www.pebc.ca for further information.
PEBC’s Two-step Evaluation Process
If you do NOT meet the eligibility requirements (listed above) to directly take the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II), you must first have your qualifications evaluated. The evaluation procedure is a two-step process:
Document Evaluation
- The first step is the evaluation of certain documents to ensure that you possess a qualification that is acceptable for admission into the Evaluating Examination. If your documents have not yet been evaluated, please contact the PEBC office, in writing, or check the PEBC website: www.pebc.ca for further information. Once your qualifications have been evaluated and ruled acceptable, you are eligible to write the Evaluating Examination.
Evaluating Examination
- The second step is the successful completion of the Evaluating Examination. The Evaluating Examination is designed to determine if you have completed a program of study comparable to that accredited by The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). It will evaluate your knowledge in all areas of current pharmaceutical education in Canada. Once you pass the Evaluating Examination, you will then be permitted to apply for the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II).