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Canadian Graduates

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Canadian
Accredited
Program Graduates -
ID and
Education
Verification

Qualifying
Examination
Part I
(MCQ)

Qualifying
Examination
Part II
(OSCE)

PEBC
Certification

IMPORTANT

Certification by PEBC does not guarantee eligibility with a Provincial Regulatory Authority (PRA). Prospective candidates must confirm the eligibility requirements of their PRA prior to applying for any of PEBC’s processes or exams. This will ensure candidates avoid completing processes or taking PEBC exams that are not required. PEBC does not track PRA eligibility requirements and therefore cannot advise candidates on the steps they should take to pursue provincial licensing.

PEBC Certification

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 practise. 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.

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 pharmaceutical education program, in which the academic institution awards a degree as evidence that the student has successfully completed an approved course of study
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 the Board as one requirement for licensure. PEBC certification alone does NOT give an individual the right to practice 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 provide evidence to the public of the individual’s overall qualification, practice training, and readiness to begin practice as a pharmacist in that jurisdiction.

Although PEBC has no language proficiency requirements, language proficiency does affect candidates’ performance in the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II). Effective written and verbal communication skills, at levels satisfactory for a health professional, are essential for practice and for success in taking the PEBC examinations.

For further information regarding licensing requirements in a province or territory, contact the provincial regulatory authority (PRA) in the province or territory where you are seeking licensure.

Purpose of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination

The Qualifying Examination assesses an applicant’s competence (knowledge, skills and abilities) to practise pharmacy safely and effectively in an “entry level” pharmacist position. This evaluation is based on the practice competencies defined in “Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice”, NAPRA 2014. Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination indicates that candidates have met the required standard of competence at entry to practice.

The methodologies PEBC uses to assess competence require the understanding and application of the necessary knowledge and skills and the performance of the most frequent and/or critical professional functions and tasks. Some important professional skills and abilities cannot be measured well with a traditional, multiple-choice question format. As a result, the Board uses both a multiple choice assessment (Part I – MCQ) and a performance-based assessment (Part II – OSCE). Both Parts must be completed satisfactorily in order for an individual to be certified as competent.

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 pharmaceutical education program, in which the academic institution awards a degree as evidence that the student has successfully completed an approved course of study
- 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 the Board as one requirement for licensure. PEBC certification alone does NOT give an individual the right to practice 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 provide evidence to the public of the individual’s overall qualification, practice training, and readiness to begin practice as a pharmacist in that jurisdiction.

Although PEBC has no language proficiency requirements, language proficiency does affect candidates’ performance in the Qualifying Examination (Part I and Part II). Effective written and verbal communication skills, at levels satisfactory for a health professional, are essential for practice and for success in taking the PEBC examinations.

For further information regarding licensing requirements in a province or territory, contact the provincial regulatory authority (PRA) in the province or territory where you are seeking licensure.
Purpose of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination

The Qualifying Examination assesses an applicant’s competence (knowledge, skills and abilities) to practise pharmacy safely and effectively in an “entry level” pharmacist position. This evaluation is based on the practice competencies defined in “Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice”, NAPRA 2014. Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination indicates that candidates have met the required standard of competence at entry to practice.

The methodologies PEBC uses to assess competence require the understanding and application of the necessary knowledge and skills and the performance of the most frequent and/or critical professional functions and tasks. Some important professional skills and abilities cannot be measured well with a traditional, multiple-choice question format. As a result, the Board uses both a multiple choice assessment (Part I – MCQ) and a performance-based assessment (Part II – OSCE). Both Parts must be completed satisfactorily in order for an individual to be certified as competent.