What is the Fastest Way to Become a Pharmacist?

There is no time like the present to become a licensed pharmacist – a career dedicated to improving patients’ health which can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Reasons to Become a Pharmacist

Pharmacists in community settings serve as important care providers for their patients. A 2022 study found that patients visited pharmacies twice as often as they visit their physicians’ offices. Pharmacists not only dispense prescription medications, they also provide additional information to their patrons. This often leads to pharmacists developing relationships with their patients and which helps promote healthier communities through frequent interactions.

This profession offers a wide variety of work settings and career paths. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that 42% of pharmacists work in community settings with the remainder working primarily in hospitals, clinics, and other settings. Community pharmacists may be the largest group in this profession, but other types of pharmacists include:

• Pharmacists involved in research and development
• Pharmacists working in specialty areas such as infectious disease, oncology, cardiology, and pediatrics
• Pharmacists working in large systems to manage medication therapy for large populations, working to find the highest quality and cost-effective care for groups of individuals
• Pharmacists working in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes or skilled rehabilitation centers
• Pharmacists working as consultants performing medication reviews, evaluating different therapies, and improving workflows

Pharmacists receive significant returns on their educational investments in addition to the already-discussed benefits. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found a median salary of $136,030 among pharmacists in 2023. Licensed pharmacists can earn substantial salaries, with the top 10% making over $168,650.

Educational Paths for Pharmacist Careers

Interested in becoming a licensed pharmacist? There are several pathways to a pharmacist career, and the fastest way to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree is based on your current education level.

College Graduates in Healthcare Disciplines or Chemistry

Individuals with undergraduate degrees in healthcare fields or with a strong science emphasis are strongly positioned for admission to PharmD programs. Their college coursework covers general education requirements and often covers the foundational knowledge necessary to apply for an advanced degree.

Applicants with these degrees can directly apply to PharmD programs – often without additional preparation. PharmD programs typically require four years of full-time study which include a combination of practical experiences and coursework.

College Graduates in Other Disciplines

The need for a new wave of licensed pharmacists has led career changers to fill some of these roles. Graduates in disciplines outside of healthcare or chemistry must complete the prerequisites required by their programs before the first day of PharmD courses. PharmD programs typically require students to complete coursework (including labs for science courses) in subjects like:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Biology
• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physics
• Calculus
• Statistics
• College Writing

The time needed to complete PharmD prerequisites depends on how completed coursework aligns with each program's admission requirements. Applicants may meet all prerequisites for one program but may need to complete 3-4 additional courses to meet the requirements for another school's PharmD program.

The time required to complete any prerequisite coursework can vary. At the University of Findlay it can take up to 16 weeks to complete 3-12 credits of prerequisite coursework – but students there are encouraged to work with their enrollment advisor as there may be accelerated options available to fulfill prerequisites.

High School Graduates

Some students have aspired to work in the pharmacy profession since high school. The fastest way for recent high school graduates to become licensed pharmacists is through a direct-entry program. This program combines two years of pre-professional study and four years of PharmD study. Direct-entry students who can maintain good grades over six years of study save time and money compared to the traditional pathway.

Steps to Become a Licensed Pharmacist

Completing a PharmD program is only one step toward becoming a licensed pharmacist. State governments oversee the licensure of pharmacists to maintain baseline standards of professional preparation. For example, Ohio’s Board of Pharmacy requires the following as part of its licensure application process:

• A completed degree from a board-approved (ACPE-accredited) pharmacy program
• Proof of at least 1,500 supervised internship hours
• A minimum score of 75 on the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and the MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination)

NAPLEX

License applicants complete the NAPLEX and MPJE after graduation from PharmD programs. The NAPLEX is a 225-question exam in multiple-choice format completed in up to six hours. Test takers demonstrate their knowledge in six competency areas established by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP):

1. Obtain, Interpret, or Assess Data, Medical, or Patient Information (18% of questions)
2. Identify Drug Characteristics (14%)
3. Develop or Manage Treatment Plans (35%)
4. Perform Calculations (14%)
5. Compound, Dispense, or Administer Drugs, or Manage Delivery Systems (11%)
6. Develop or Manage Practice or Medication-Use Systems to Ensure Safety and Quality (7%)

MPJE

The MPJE differs from the NAPLEX by focusing on the profession’s legal and operational requirements. This computerized exam features 120 questions with a testing period of 150 minutes. MPJE questions focus on four areas of competency:

1. Licensure and Personnel Responsibilities (22%)
2. Pharmacist Practice (33%)
3. Dispensing Requirements (24%)
4. Pharmacy Operations (21%)

PharmD program graduates are -prepared for state licensing applications and professional exams. They are also equipped to support patients through their journeys to healthier lives. The University of Findlay’s Distance PharmD degree offers a flexible pathway to licensure through its pioneering program design.

Training for Pharmacist Careers at the University of Findlay

The University of Findlay’s online Doctor of Pharmacy program allows students to pursue their PharmD degree online with experiential learning near their community. Findlay’s Distance PharmD program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree or at least 60 college credits. Those considering the PharmD program are invited to attend an informational webinar and have access to an enrollment advisor who can provide information about admissions requirements and help determine the required coursework that must be completed prior to beginning the PharmD program.

Findlay’s Distance PharmD program consists of four academic years that combine fully online coursework with on-campus immersions and experiential learning (intended to be completed close to home) to build the skills necessary for pharmacy practice in various settings. The in-person requirements are:

• One three-day orientation event
• Three one-week on-campus immersions
• 300 Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) hours
• 1,440 Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) hours
• One three-day graduation event

PharmD students at the University of Findlay also benefit from the school’s stellar reputation. The PharmD program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). U.S. News & World Report has ranked the university among the top National Universities.