Introduction
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 in About PEBC.
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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 does NOT 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 the provincial regulatory authority (PRA) in the province or territory where you are seeking licensure.
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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.
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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 must complete US Document Evaluation before you can apply directly for the Qualifying Examination. Please see the Information for US graduates.
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, please see the information for Document Evaluation.
You must first pass Document Evaluation for the Evaluating Examination application to be added to your Portal account. The Evaluating Examination application will be added within 5 business days of your Document Evaluation approval date. The application will be for the next exam with an upcoming deadline.
Please be sure to review the length of time it takes to complete Document Evaluation, so you can pass in time to apply for the Evaluating Examination you wish to write.
Correspondence
Always include your PEBC Identification Number in any correspondence with PEBC, whether by phone or email. Your PEBC ID is provided in your Portal account.
Please allow 2 business days for a response to any enquiry you make, before contacting the office about the same matter again.
Please keep your Portal account updated with any changes to your contact information – address, telephone number, email address – by logging into your account and making the changes in your Portal profile.
PEBC will primarily communicate by email. Be sure to check your email regularly and make sure your email settings will allow PEBC emails to reach your inbox.
Pharmacist Evaluating Examination Dates
You must apply through your Portal account by 12 noon EST on the Evaluating Examination application deadline date.