Pharmacy

Education Requirements

To work as a pharmacist one must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, known as a Pharm.D. Pharmacy programs are usually four years long and must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). To gain admission one must have at least two years of college study with courses including math, chemistry, biology, physics, humanities and social sciences. Applicants generally have to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test. Doctor of Pharmacy programs include coursework in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology (effects of drugs on the body), toxicology and pharmacy administration.

Other Requirements

In the U.S., pharmacists must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Most states also require graduates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), a test of pharmacy law, also administered by the NABP. Other states administer another exam that tests knowledge of pharmacy law. Several states also require additional state-specific exams. All states, except California, grant license transfers from other states.

Pharmacists must have scientific aptitude and good communication skills and be detail-oriented.

Outlook

Employment of pharmacists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016.

A day in Pharmacy life

On a typical day a pharmacist will:

Pharmacists may also

Pharmacists who own or manage drugstores may supervise personnel, as well as have other general managerial duties. 8