The six steps to becoming a pharmacist
Becoming a pharmacist takes six steps, and only the last one is optional.[1][2]
- College prerequisites (2+ years). PharmD programs typically require at least two years of prerequisite undergraduate courses, such as anatomy and physiology, physics and statistics; some require a bachelor's degree.
- Apply to a PharmD program. Most schools take applications through PharmCAS. The PCAT admissions test was retired on January 10, 2024, so it is no longer part of the process.[3]
- Earn the PharmD (4 years, or 3 in a year-round program). Courses in the sciences, pharmacology and pharmacy law plus supervised work experiences in hospitals and retail pharmacies.
- Complete your state's internship hours. Every state sets a number of internship hours; students typically earn them through the PharmD's practice experiences. See the state table below.
- Pass the NAPLEX and a law exam. The NAPLEX tests pharmacy practice; the MPJE (or the new uniform UMPJE in states that use it) tests pharmacy law. Then apply for your state license.
- Optional: residency (1–2 years). Expected for many clinical and hospital roles, not required for a license.
How long does it take to become a pharmacist?
It takes six to eight years after high school in most cases: at least two years of prerequisites and four years of pharmacy school, plus one or two more if you finish a bachelor's degree first or do a residency.[1]
| Route | Prerequisites | PharmD | Total after high school |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 + 4 (most common) | At least 2 years of college courses | 4 years | 6 years or more |
| Bachelor's first | 4-year degree | 4 years | 8 years |
| 0–6 (early assurance, from high school) | Built into the program | 6 years in total | 6 years |
| Accelerated | 2+ years of college courses | 3 calendar years, year-round | 5–6 years |
The licensing exams come after graduation, so leave room between commencement and a first job start. The school side, including admission requirements and how to choose a program, is on pharmacist school.
NAPLEX and MPJE: the licensing exams
Prospective pharmacists typically must pass two exams to get a license: the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and a jurisprudence (law) exam, both run by NABP.[1][2]
| Exam | What it tests | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| NAPLEX | Pharmacy practice knowledge (required in every state) | $620 ($100 application + $520 exam) |
| MPJE | Pharmacy law of one state | $270 per state ($100 + $170) |
| UMPJE | Uniform pharmacy law exam, being adopted by some states | $450 ($100 + $350) |
Some states add an $85 NABP eligibility processing fee, a NAPLEX score transfer costs $105 per state, and retaking the NAPLEX costs another $520. Your state board charges its own license fee on top.[2]
First-time pass rates for 2025 graduates of accredited U.S. programs were 86.8% on the NAPLEX and 74.5% on the MPJE, according to NABP; NAPLEX first-time pass rates had been 75.9% to 77.3% for the 2022–2024 classes.[4]
Pharmacist internship hours by state
Internship hour rules are set by each state board and differ widely; some states count the experience built into an accredited PharmD, others add hours on top. The table shows the states whose rules we could read from the board or regulation text.[4][5][6][7]
| State | Intern hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,040 hours (6 months) | 2,080 hours for graduates of non-accredited or foreign programs; NYSED notes PharmD graduates are exempt from the experience requirement |
| California | 1,500 hours | At least 900 in a pharmacy setting, at most 600 in other settings (16 CCR 1728) |
| Florida | Board-approved program, up to 2,080 hours | All hours may be earned before graduation (s. 465.007, F.S.); the required number is set by Board rule |
What it costs to become a pharmacist
The PharmD itself is the big cost: 2026–27 tuition and fees run from about $95,000 for four years at an in-state public school (University of Florida) to about $293,000 at a private one (USC), before living costs.[8][9] The licensing exams add $890 in NABP fees, plus your state's license fee.[2] AACP puts average student debt at graduation around $171,000.[10]
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| College prerequisites (2+ years) | Your college's tuition |
| PharmD tuition and fees, 4 years | $95,440 (UF resident) to $292,875 (USC) |
| NAPLEX (application + exam) | $620 |
| MPJE, per state (application + exam) | $270 |
| NAPLEX score transfer, per extra state | $105 |
| State license fee | Set by your board |
Whether the debt pays off is worked out, with a calculator, on pharmacy school cost.
What new pharmacists earn
New pharmacists usually start below the median: the 10th percentile is $99,290 ($47.74 an hour) and the 25th $129,380, against a $140,910 median.[11] Hospitals pay the most of the large employers. BLS projects 5% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 12,500 openings a year.[1] The country employs 321,970 pharmacists (May 2025); pay by state and metro is on pharmacist salary, and the comparison with technicians is on pharmacist vs pharmacy technician.
Common mistakes
- Studying for the PCAT. It no longer exists; check each school's current requirements instead.
- Counting only tuition. Exams, transfers, license fees and living costs during rotations add up.
- Ignoring intern-hour rules. If you plan to be licensed in a state other than where you study, check that state's hour count early.
- Assuming a residency is required. It is not needed for a license, but many hospital clinical jobs expect one.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a pharmacist?
Usually six to eight years after high school: at least two years of prerequisites plus a four-year PharmD (three in a year-round program), then the licensing exams. A residency adds one to two years if you want one.
What exams do you need to become a pharmacist?
The NAPLEX ($620 with NABP's application fee) and a pharmacy law exam, the MPJE ($270 per state) or, in some states, the uniform UMPJE.
Do you need a residency to be a pharmacist?
No. A residency is optional and typically lasts one to two years; many hospital and clinical positions expect one.
Can you become a pharmacist without a PharmD?
Not in the U.S. today. Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited program before they can take the licensing exams.
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacists
- NAPLEX/MPJE Candidate Application Bulletin, Section 16: Overview of Exam Fees
- PCAT Resources (PCAT retired January 10, 2024)
- Ten-Year NAPLEX and MPJE Pass Rates (prepared February 2, 2026)
- Pharmacist: License Requirements (internship 1,040 hours)
- 16 CCR 1728, Requirements for Examination (1,500 hours of pharmacy experience)
- Florida Statutes 465.007, Licensure by examination (internship up to 2,080 hours)
- Pharm.D. Tuition and Fees, 2026-27 Academic Year
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): Tuition and Financial Aid
- Statement on Implications of H.R. 1 on Pharmacy Education (average debt around $171,000, 2024 Graduating Student Survey)
- Local Wages: 29-1051.00 Pharmacists (state and metro percentiles)