How to become a pharmacist | Pharmacist education | PharmD | Pharm.D. | Doctor of Pharmacy schooling question and answer | Road to pharmacy school | NAPLEX | CPJE | healthcare careers

What does it take to become a pharmacist?

I often get asked, how did you become a pharmacist? Is it a bachelor degree program?

Today, I’m discussing How to Become a Pharmacist. I’ll expand on this journey in upcoming posts. Here is a brief overview of the number of years involved and my personal experience:

2-4 years Undergraduate = Pre-requisite courses & Optional Bachelor’s degree
ME = 3 years = Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences
4 years Graduate School = School of Pharmacy (traditional semester system)
ME = 4 years = Doctorate degree = Doctor of Pharmacy degree = Pharm.D.
1-2 years Optional Post-Graduate Training = Residency or Fellowship
ME = 2 years = ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency &
PGY2 Critical Care Residency

TOTAL = ME = 9 years

Simple answer: no, becoming a pharmacist involves MORE than a bachelor degree. Pharmacists hold Doctorate degrees. After several years of higher education, pharmacists become licensed by national and state board examinations. I’ll discuss these in more details in a separate post but here are links for more information now.

Board Examinations:

National: NAPLEX 

State: Depends on State (CA is CPJE)

Board Certified Pharmacist Specialist (optional): Several specialty certifications available

Overall, my journey totaled 9 years of higher education/training. There are several paths students can take to becoming a pharmacist from the undergraduate education that is completed and the Pharm.D. curriculums offered. More about my personal education is found on my About Page.

Have your own story to becoming a pharmacist? Share it below in the comments now!

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Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP is the CEO of Clarify, Simplify, Align and Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Dr. Louie uses her signature Burnout Doctor Method to coach burned out pharmacists & professionals to simplify because work-life balance is a LIE. Align work into your life & break free from people pleasing, perfectionism and thrive in life on YOUR TERMS.