Massachusetts
Pharmacist
BApplications for licensure can be found on the Health Professions Licensing Portal. If this is your first time using this portal, please visit Health Professions Licensing System User Guide for information on how to get started.
Please review the following information below:
Table of Contents
- Fees
- Examination Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Grade Information
- Licensure Information
- Contact Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Waiting Periods
Fees
Fees are paid through the onlilne system. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- First-time for both NAPLEX and MPJE – $421
- Reciprocity/license transfer – MPJE only – $525
- Score Transfer – $375
- Reexamination for both NAPLEX and MPJE – $121
- Reexamination for NAPLEX only – $121
- Reexamination for MPJE only – $75
- Reinstatement/Board Consent agreement – $75
Examination Information
- A first-time applicant must take and pass both the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination).
- A reciprocity/license transfer applicant that is a licensed pharmacist in another U.S. jurisdiction need only take the MPJE.
- There are no registration deadlines.
- An approved applicant can schedule with Pearson VUE for the exam date and location of choice.
- Both exams must be passed within 1 year of taking the first exam. If not, a new application will be required.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant must read and understand the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) pertaining to the eligibility requirements.
Grade Information
- Pass or fail exam results will be posted in your NABP e-Profile approximately 14 business days after you have taken the exam(s). You can view your Pass/Fail results in the Exam Services section of your NABP e-Profile by selecting the Exam Results tab.
- Non-passing examinees will receive re-registration instructions with their score results.
- Passing examinees will receive information regarding their license.
- Both exams must be passed within 1 year of taking the first exam. If not, a new application will be required.
Licensure Information
Applicant will be notified by email once the license is issued. The license card is attached to the email and can also be downloaded from your profile in the Health Professions Licensing Portal.
Contact Information
Professional Credential Services (PCS)
Professional Credential Services
P.O. Box 198788
Nashville, TN 37219
Phone: 1-877-U-TRY-PCS
Fax: (615) 846-0153
Email: pharmacylicense@pcshq.com
See PCS street address for courier deliveries (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Public Health
Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
Board of Registration in Pharmacy
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 973-0960
Email: pharmacy.admin@mass.gov
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-pharmacy
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
1600 Feehanville Dr.
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Phone: (847) 391-4406
Email: help@nabp.pharmacy
https://nabp.pharmacy/
Pearson VUE (Test vendor)
Certification Exams & Testing – Pearson VUE
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: I am having difficulty opening some of the forms. What can I do?
A: Most of the forms are viewable in Adobe only. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat for free.
Q: How many intern hours are required for licensure in the state of Massachusetts?
A: There is a minimum of 1500 hours.
Q: What if I was educated in a foreign country?
A: Before applying, you must first have obtained FPGEC Certification through NABP. Please be sure to upload a copy of your FGPEC certificate with your application.
Q: Do I have to take the exam(s) in Massachusetts?
A: No. You may sit for the exam(s) at any of the approximately 300 testing centers nationwide and in Canada. The exam is not available overseas.
Q: When can I take my exam?
A: You should schedule your testing appointment with Pearson VUE immediately upon receipt of your Authorization to Test (ATT). Even if you are not ready to test, scheduling early will secure a time slot for you.
The exams must be taken within one year of your eligibility date as indicated in your ATT letter from NABP.
*Please note that even though the ATT is valid for one year, you must also meet all the requirements for licensure within one year of the date of your application, including passing all required exams. Your ATT will likely expire after your license application expires, so please be sure to test before whichever date comes first in order to avoid having to reapply and pay additional fees.
Q: Can individuals with disabilities be accommodated?
A: All centers are fully accessible and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. An applicant must submit appropriate documentation of a request for special accommodations at the time that they submit their initial application materials.
Q: How can I verify my intern hours for a score transfer?
A Verification of Licensure can be downloaded immediately and for free.
If either the downloaded version is not acceptable to the recipient or there is an out-of-state verification form that requires Board completion, complete the online application to Request a Certified Statement of Registration and provide the $15 non-refundable and non-transferable fee.
Q: If I answered ‘yes’ to a conviction or Good Moral Character (GMC) question on the application, what should I submit?
- Court documents regarding incident
- Personal statement about incident
Waiting Periods
NAPLEX:
If you fail the NAPLEX, you must wait 45 days (starting from the date of the failed attempt) before you will be allowed to schedule the NAPLEX again. There are no exceptions.
Initially, you are allowed 3 attempts to take the NAPLEX during a 12-month period. If you reach that maximum of 3 attempts in a 12-month period, you must wait at least 12 months from the initial attempt to reapply and begin the application process again. There are no exceptions.
You have a maximum of 5 attempts to pass the NAPLEX unless the Board determines otherwise.
MPJE:
If you fail the MPJE, you must wait 30 days (starting from the date of the failed attempt) before you will be allowed to schedule the MPJE again. There are no exceptions.
You have a maximum of 5 attempts to pass the Massachusetts MPJE unless the Board determines otherwise.