How to become a pharmacist

Pharmacists ensure patients receive the right medications in the appropriate dosage. They need to understand the medicaments they provide and the side-effects these may cause. In some states they can even administer vaccinations. As they work directly with patients, pharmacists get to see first-hand the contribution they make to people’s lives.

Between 2020 and 2030, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates 11,300 job openings for pharmacists per year. The largest growth area is predicted to be non-retail locations, such as hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient care centers. Roles in all these settings offer excellent job security, with an average yearly salary of $128,570.

7 steps to become a pharmacist

Step 1 – Get an undergraduate degree

Most pharmacy schools require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Students can major in any undergraduate discipline, provided they complete the prerequisite courses in the basic sciences. Although a science-related degree is recommended, pharmacy schools believe non-science majors add diversity to the profession.

Other pharmacy schools only require 2 years of post-secondary education and the prerequisite coursework. Students applying to these schools need to provide evidence of undergraduate courses in chemistry, biology, and physics.

» Read: What is STEM?

College students are also advised to accumulate research experience in basic science labs. This can provide valuable mentorship and tangible experience to enhance their pharmacy school application.

Step 2 — Pass the pharmacy college admission test (PCAT)

The PCAT is a standardized admission test that includes multiple-choice questions in subjects such as biochemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and physics. Students can prepare for the exam with specialized prep courses, which review the necessary information. The material covered in the PCAT provides an excellent foundation for pharmacy school, and most schools require this test certificate during the admissions process.

» Read: Decision fatigue and college admissions

Step 3 — Apply for a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

To become a licensed pharmacist, students need to complete a Pharm.D. Be sure to check the Pharm.D. program you are applying for is accredited, otherwise you may be ineligible for licensure upon graduation. The main accrediting body is the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Educational admissions requirements vary between schools, but most request the following:

• Introductory level biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics
• Undergraduate coursework in biochemistry, human physiology and/or anatomy, microbiology, cellular/molecular biology, calculus, statistics, or biostatistics

Students who are interested in the academic or research side of pharmacy, rather than the clinical aspect, can pursue a master’s or Ph.D. in pharmacology or pharmaceutical chemistry. Such programs range from 1-5+ years and focus on basic science processes that govern pharmacy principles and practice.

» Read: Get paid to complete your Ph.D.

Step 4 — Earn your doctoral degree in pharmacy

It takes 4 years to graduate from a Pharm. D program, but some schools offer an accelerated 3-year option. The curriculum is relatively standardized across schools. Below is an example of what a student might expect to study year-by-year.

Year 1

The first year includes intensive coursework in:

• biomedical science
• pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry
• principles of drug action
• immunology.

Students also learn about literature analysis, professionalism, ethics, and general patient management. After this, they move on to pathophysiology, pharmacology, and single disease state pharmacotherapy. There may also be clinical skills training and experiential rotations.

Year 2

In the second year, students may learn:

• interventions relevant to specific body parts
• therapeutic treatments for various diseases
• pharmacokinetics
• healthcare policies
• clinical skills training

Students also gain practical experience in community pharmacy and health system settings. This is often completed at the end of the second year.

Year 3

The third year includes the study of:

• pharmacy practice management and leadership
• pharmaceutics
• pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics
• public health pharmacy
• pharmacy law

Third-year students can explore areas of interest through a wide variety of electives. Advanced pharmacy practice rotations begin at the end of the third year.

Year 4

Fourth-year students engage in advanced off-campus pharmacy practice. This includes rotations in:

• community care
• institutional care
• cute and general medicine
• ambulatory care

Students receive mentoring from qualified supervisors to develop the competencies, professional judgment, and habits required to become a successful pharmacist.

Specialization pathways

In addition to the standard curriculum, some pharmacy schools offer specialization pathways. Examples include:

Geriatrics and palliative care

This pathway increases a student’s knowledge of the medical issues associated with aging and advanced illness, and how to manage medication in these populations. It also prepares them for advanced degrees (Ph.D., MPH) or training (fellowships, residencies) in geriatrics, gerontology, or palliative care.

Pharmacotherapy

This is designed to prepare students for postdoctoral residency or fellowship training, allowing them to practice independently and provide direct patient care.

The pathway builds on the required Pharm.D. content, using elective didactic courses and experiential learning rotations to provide the skills necessary for post-doctoral training in general pharmacotherapy.

Students complete a research project, culminating in a presentation and a published manuscript.

Pharmapreneurship

Students pursue special interests in innovation and entrepreneurism. They also receive personalized counseling about courses, internships, and career options. The emphasis is on original research projects overseen by faculty advisors and mentors.

These projects may include:

• drug discovery
• business and innovative methods in the pharmaceutical sciences
• clinical/translational research
• pharmaceutical health services research
• outcomes research.

Specialization pathways often incorporate certification in subjects such as:

• Medication Therapy Outcomes (MTO)
• Healthcare Management (HCM)
• Pharmacy Informatics (PI)
• Medical and Clinical Affairs (MCA)

Step 5 — Get licensed as a pharmacist

Upon graduation from pharmacy school, would-be pharmacists need to pass 2 exams to become licensed. The first is the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). The second is either the multistate pharmacy jurisprudence exam (MPJE), or an alternative state-specific test. Having passed these tests, pharmacy graduates are eligible to practice.

Step 6 — Complete a pharmacist training program (optional)

Pharmacy residency programs offer postgraduate training in specific areas of pharmacy. This is a full-time commitment that requires a minimum of 12 months. Some residencies are offered in combination with a postgraduate degree (e.g., M.S., MBA, MPH), and may take an additional year to complete. A residency is not required to practice, but it is an option the pharmacist may choose after receiving their license.

Step 7 — Find work as a pharmacist

Before looking for a job, decide on your preferred work environment. The majority of positions are in pharmacies and drug stores, where 42% of pharmacists work. Pharmacists can also work in hospitals, ambulatory health stores, or even for the military.

» Read: Tips for finding a new job

Pharmacist job outlook and salary information

To discover whether becoming a pharmacist is good choice from an economical perspective, check out the employment data below.

Pharmaceutical careers

Once you are qualified to work as a pharmacist you can pursue various careers. Some of the following examples require further education.

Paying for your pharmacy education

Pharmacy school can be expensive, fortunately funding is available. Students can fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) to discover whether they are eligible for federal support.

» Read: What every student should know about college endowments

Private student loans offer lower interest rates, but lack many of the federal student loan benefits, such as loan forgiveness opportunities. There are a range of scholarships available, some of which are specifically for pharmaceutical students. Pharmacy students may also be eligible for grants, work-study programs, tuition reimbursement programs, and other types of aid.

Depending on the status of their employer’s status, pharmacists can qualify for public service loan forgiveness (PSLF). Their federal student loan debt may be written off after making income-based repayments for 120 months.