IMA International

USA: Pharmacist — NABP Registration & NAPLEX Pathway

International pharmacy graduates looking to practice as licensed pharmacists in the United States must clear the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certification program managed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). This is followed by completing specified clinical internship hours and passing both the NAPLEX and MPJE examinations.

60%

Success Rate

12–24 Months

$3,000 – $5,000 USD

12–24 Months

Total Duration

$3,000 – $5,000 USD

Estimated Cost

60%

Success Rate

Very Hard

Difficulty Level

Back to All Pathways
Step-by-Step Guide

Your Pathway to Success

Follow these steps to achieve your global medical career

Cost: $1,200
Duration: 3-6 months

Submit official degree credentials, active licensure documentation, and academic transcripts to the NABP for baseline structural evaluation.

Cost: $230
Duration: 1-2 months

Obtain a specialized general evaluation report from ECE to verify that your pharmacy program meets the target US credit equivalency.

Cost: $750
Duration: 4-8 months study

Sit for the comprehensive 250-question computer-based examination testing basic biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and social sciences.

Cost: $250
Duration: 1-2 months

Achieve specific mandatory score bands on the TOEFL iBT exam (Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 26, Writing 24) to secure your active FPGEC certificate.

Cost: Variable
Duration: 6-12 months

Complete state-mandated supervised pharmacy practice internship hours (ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 hours depending on the chosen jurisdiction).

Cost: $850
Duration: 2-4 months study

Secure state eligibility to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

Requirements

What You Need

Essential prerequisites for this pathway

A 5-year curriculum pharmacy degree for graduates post-2003, or a 4-year degree for those graduating prior to the structural curriculum shift
An active, unrestricted professional license to dispense medications in your country of origin or practice
Valid FPGEC Certificate issued directly by the NABP upon passing the FPGEE and language metrics
Completion of specific regional state-board approved clinical pharmacy practice internship hours
Resources

Helpful Materials

Downloadable guides and references

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
Access
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Access
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