The Board of Pharmacy, in conjunction with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), provides for the administration of pharmacist licensure examinations daily, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, through the Pearson VUE Testing Centers. To take the NAPLEX or MPJE, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements of the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
The licensure by examination fee is $297 and is payable to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. This covers the administration free, an examination registration fee, a biennial license fee of $180, and the criminal background check processing fee of $45.
Licensure by Examination Requirements
The licensure exam consists of two components: North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). To be eligible for a license by examination, the candidate must pass both components within a period of one year beginning with the date the candidate passed an initial component. A candidate may request waiver or variance from this deadline pursuant to the procedures and requirements of 657—Chapter 34.
Step 1: Licensure by Examination Application
Submit completed Licensure by Examination application* with fee of $297 payable by check or money order to the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
*A passport quality/professional photo taken within the last six months is required to be submitted with the completed Licensure by Score Transfer Application.
Step 2: Criminal History Background Check
Applicant will receive a criminal history background check packet/fingerprint card once the application and payment is received. Applicant must complete and pass the criminal history background check.
Step 3: Register for North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ (NAPLEX®)
Applicant must register with NABP to the take the Iowa NAPLEX. Applicant must successfully pass the NAPLEX.
Step 4: Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination™, Iowa Edition (MPJE®)
Applicant must register with NABP to take the Iowa MPJE. Applicant must successfully pass the Iowa MPJE.
Step 5: Certification of Pharmacy Education
Each applicant must be a graduate from a college/school of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The Board requires the submission of a completed "Certification of Pharmacy Education" form confirming that the applicant has successfully graduated from a recognized school or college of pharmacy. This form is required to be completed by the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
Step 6: Certification of Intern Hours
Proof of 1500 hours of internship must be filed with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy. Applicants who graduated from an out-of-state college of pharmacy and completed the internship requirements of that state are deemed to have satisfied Iowa's internship requirements. The applicant shall submit documentation from the out-of-state internship program certifying completion of that state's requirements. Applicants who graduated from a colleges of pharmacy located in states with no formal internship training program shall submit documentation from that state's board of pharmacy or college of pharmacy certifying that the candidate has completed all pre-licensure training requirements.