1. Make sure you meet every qualification before applying for a United States pharmacist license as an international pharmacist.

  1. As an international pharmacist, you must have graduated from an accredited pharmacy program.
  • If you have graduated before January 1st, 2003; you must have completed a minimum of 4 years.
  • If you have graduated after; you must complete 5 years.

2. Verify that your education and experience are current to the US pharmacy requirements.

Make sure there are no restrictions or hold on your international pharmacist license

3. Make contact with the relevant licensing bodies to learn  more about the procedure and the paperwork you must  submit.

Create your NABP e-Profile in order to receive an applicant ID number.

  • You will need this ID to create an account to submit the online FPGEC application.
  • Submit your FPGEC application and documentation AND degree credentials and submit the following to (ECE):

ECE is the only organization that can evaluate your credentials on behalf of NABP.

What will you need to send?

  •   Documentation of your education including official transcripts
  •  Translation of all non-English documents
  •   Payment for processing fee
  •  Your Non-English documents must follow the translation requirements specified in the candidate bulletin.
  •  Documents must be sealed in an envelope by the issuing College or University, with a seal, stamp, or signature of an official across the envelope flap closure, to ensure the confidentiality.

Envelopes that are not sealed as instructed in the Bulletin or tampered will NOT be accepted.

You must Review all documentation requirements thoroughly before they are submitted. Your evaluation may significantly be delayed if the documents are sent incorrectly.

4. Create a portfolio of your credentials and work history to  present to the licensing board.

At this point…. you must prepare and register for the TOEFL. 

  • FPGEC applications are active for – 2 years only.
  • You will need to pass the TOEFL exam during this timeframe. 

Before you register for the FPGEE.

Check with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for dates and locations for the exam. You must take All 4 sections in one testing session. 

FPGEC will NOT accept: your best scores, or if you have taken Remote-proctored or at home TOEFL exam.

 As a candidate you must complete (FPGEC) certification.

This needs to be done before applying for a pharmacy license exam or state board of pharmacy license.

Each state has different requirements for obtaining a license. Once you are FPGEC certified, it is your responsibility to check with the board of pharmacy website for specific licensure requirements.

5. What is covered by FPGEC certification: 

  • A review of your education and licensure/registration
  • A passing score for the (TOEFL)
  • A passing score for the (FPGEE)

It is important to know that this certification is not a license to practice pharmacy; it only ensures that a international pharmacist meets comparable requirements.

6. Participate in the necessary examinations and training required for the license.

  • FPGEC application is active for only 2 years.
  • You will need to pass TOEFL exam during this time frame.

7. Register for and complete the necessary tests.

  • Before you register for FPGEE
  • Check with ETS for dates and location for the exam. You must take all 4 sections in one testing session..

FPGEC will not accept your best score, remote proctored test, or at home TOEFL exams.

 

8. Pay the necessary fees for the license and any associated costs.

FPGEC Application fee ($100) and an evaluation fee ($450). Both are non-refundable.

9. To make sure that your application is being processed, check back with the licensing board. 

  • You will need to send all supporting documents to NABP at the time of submitting your application.
  • Evaluation of FPGEC application will not begin until all documentation is received, including a passing TOEFL score report.
  • In addition to submitting your online FPGEC application, the following supporting documents must be received by NABP.
  • These documents will include: FPGEC attestation, including an additional photo, unrestricted license/registration, notarized copy of acceptable current photo ID, ECE report that was submitted to ECE, and passing TOEFL report.

Next – You will be notified to purchase and schedule FPGEE.

  • Acceptance notification through your NABP e-profile. https://nabp.pharmacy/
  • You will have 2 years to take and pass FPGEE test from your acceptance date.
  • Passing score – It is 75
  • scores will be available in your NABP e-Profile approximately 8 weeks after the test and will not be mailed to you.

On the day of FPGEE test, your primary ID must match your name exactly as is in NABP profile and FIC.

  • You will forfeit your test fee if these requirements are not match.

10. Be ready to respond to any further inquiries the licensing board may have.

  • Contact the state board of pharmacy where you wish to obtain your pharmacist license.
  • Each state’s pharmacy license requirement differs.
  • You can contact us or check the state’s eligibility requirements for the Naplex and MPJE before registering for those exams.

You may also contact the NABP website https://nabp.pharmacy/ if you have any questions about the international pharmacist process. It is important to review the Candidate Bulletin thoroughly before submitting your application and documents to ensure that you meet all requirements.