A pharmacist licence is the legal permission to practise pharmacy in Canada. Anyone who wants to dispense medications and advise patients as a pharmacist must hold one from the pharmacy college in the province or territory where they work.
Official website ↗Pharmacists are medication experts. They check prescriptions, make sure drugs are safe and suitable for each patient, and counsel people on how to use their medicines. In many provinces they can also give vaccines, renew prescriptions and prescribe for minor ailments.
The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada runs the national exams that show you are ready to practise. Each province and territory then has its own pharmacy college that decides who may hold a licence and use the title pharmacist. This licence is required by law. You cannot practise pharmacy without it.
A licence opens the door to many roles. These include community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist and clinical pharmacist, as well as other jobs in pharmacy.
The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada exams have two parts. One is a written exam with multiple-choice questions on pharmacy knowledge. The other is a hands-on skills exam where you work through realistic patient scenarios. Plan for a few months of focused study. Many candidates use practice materials and study groups to prepare.
Pharmacists must renew their licence on a regular schedule set by their provincial or territorial college. Renewal usually involves paying a fee and showing that you have kept your skills up to date through continuing education. You may also need to confirm that you have practised recently and remain in good standing.