Licensure Requirements - Pharmacist

Question 1

Who can apply to be a pharmacist?

Answer 1

1) Licensure by Exam:
Graduate of ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy

2) Licensure by Transfer:
Transfer/Reciprocity from another state in US with which Iowa has reciprocal agreement

3) Foreign Licensure by Exam:
Foreign pharmacy graduations who have demonstrated an equivalency of education with U.S. pharmacy standards.

Question 2

Pharmacist Application Fee?

Answer 2

New Graduate/Foreign Graduate Exam: $297

Transfer/Reciprocity: $315

Question 3

How many CE hours for Pharmacist renewal?

Answer 3

30 CE hours every 2 year renewal

Question 4

Special Pharmacist CE Requirements?

Answer 4

5 hrs Drug Therapy (01-P/02-P)
2 hrs Law (03-P)
2 hrs Rx/Patient Safety (05-P)
1 hr Opioid Antagonists

If Applicable:
1 hr Immunization (06-P)

Question 5

Minimum Pharmacy Intern Hours?

Answer 5

1500 Hours + Licensure by Exam

Question 6

Degree/Education Required for Application to be a Pharmacist?

Answer 6

New Graduate:
ACPE Accredited College, Exam

Foreign Graduate:
FPGEC Certification

Transfer/Reciprocity:
N/A (Exam score from previous license transfer)

Question 7

Examinations Required to be a Pharmacist

Answer 7

New Graduate (2):
NAPLEX + MPJE
*Unsuccessful at passing each component after 2 attempts: board must approve candidate’s written application

Foreign Graduate (4):
NAPLEX + MPJE + FPGEE + TOEFL iBT

Transfer/Reciprocity:
Iowa MPJE within one-year following date of NABP issuance

Question 8

Documents to be a Pharmacist
(Transcript / Drug Test / Background Check?)

Answer 8

New Graduate or Transfer/Reciprocity:
Criminal Background Check & Fingerprint Submission

Foreign Graduate:
Valid Social Security Number (SSN)
-or-
Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) + Acceptable Proof of Lawful Presence

Question 9

Pharmacist Reinstatement Process?

Answer 9

Reinstate in accordance with terms specified in board’s order of revocation or order accepting the voluntary surrender. If not specific in the board’s order, applicant must wait 1 year before initiating reinstatement request (657-35.36).

A licensee whose license to practice was revoked shall complete examination components in 657-2.4(1) and shall pay all required examination fees pursuant to 657-2.5(3).

Question 10

Pharmacist Probation Reasons / Process?

Answer 10

43 Types of Grounds for Discipline (657-36.6)

Disciplinary Sanctions (657-36.7).

Question 11

Pharmacist Licensure Renewal Period?

Answer 11

June 30th every 2 years

*EXCEPT when new pharmacist is issued between April 1-June 29. Then it expires on the third June 30th following date of issuance (657-2.11).