Prerequisite

To enter for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGE) Exam you need to have either: 

• Completed a minimum 4-year Graduation in Pharmacy before January 1st 2003. 

or

• A 5-year Graduate in Pharmacy after January 1st 2003, outside of the USA.

If you fall outside of this requirement you will not be considered for entry to the FPGE Exam by the NABP.

Step 1

Educational Credential Evaluation (ECE): This service is used by the NABP board (the board that governs the FPGE) to ascertain whether you pharmacy education is sufficiently credentialized. You will need to submit two sets of your pharmacy education documentation: 

• The official transcript - this is the formal letter they send you after taking the exam.
  
• Official proof of the degree - photocopy of Official proof of pharmacy degree (convocation/degree certificate). Must be signed/certified by the principal of college where you graduated indicating the date of degree awarded in writing in an envelope sealed by the same issuing official. 
  

This needs to be sent directly to ECE with the appropriate fees. Applicants must request that ECE submit a copy of the General Evaluation Report directly to the FPGEC along with their supporting documentation this will grant you access to the next step. Please keep in mind that at this stage, the ECE evaluation report does not confirm acceptance to sit for the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination.

Step 2

After ECE evaluation, you will need to go to the NABP site and create an e-Profile. When registered, the following documents need to be submitted to the NABP (FPGEC):

1. ECE General Report (as above)
   
2. Official Transcripts (as above)
   
3. Detailed information of subjects you studied (Optional) / Courses you completed with marks/grades issued by your principal or from a university in an envelope sealed by the appropriate issuing body. (Usually all the years' subjects and marks they compile together and give it to you in a sealed envelope).
4. Proof of Licence - Photocopy of license and/or registration certificate must be unrestricted and certified by the appropriate government official of the jurisdiction issuing the license in an envelope sealed by the same issuing official.

Photocopies of NABP-submitted documents

Certified photocopies of all other documents (like all your marks statements, birth certificate etc) are those where the words, "I have reviewed the original document and attest that this is a true and exact copy of the original" must be written directly o­n the photocopy by a notary public, and have been overlapped partially by the notary public seal. The notary must also include his or her signature. If a document is longer than the o­ne page, each page must be certified.

If any document is NOT in English, it must be accompanied by an official word-for-word English translation, prepared and certified as correct by an official translator.

TIP: For faster processing, submit 3 Sealed envelopes (Transcripts, Proof of degree & Proof of license), certified photocopies, photos, fees draft, FPGEE application form together in ONE ENVELOPE.

Checklist for sending together in a SINGLE ENVELOPE :

• Degree (sealed and/or translation)
  
• School transcripts (sealed and/or translation)
  
• Licensure/Registration (sealed and/or translation)
  
• Two photographs
  
• Fees US$ (pink envelope)
  
• Notice of Receipt of Application/Registration Form Postcard (self-addressed)
  
• For complete information of FPGEC(r) visit the official site: NABP website

Step 3

Review the FPGE syllabus / Blueprint and attend the FPGEE.

Step 4

Apply and attend for TOEFL-ibt

After passing all these exams, you will receive your FPGEE certificate within 3 months, this can be used for sitting in state board exam (NAPLEX(r)). Keep your FPGEC(r) certificate safe, you can change any state any time you wish. A few states like Florida and Michigan offer an intern permit without FPGEC(r) certification )

Step 5

Participate in residency or internship programs to acquire direct, "hands-on" patient care experience duration of internship depends upon each individual state. (For complete details contact US STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY directly)

Step 6

After completing intern hours, apply for a second major examination NAPLEX (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Licensing Examination)

Step 7

Last but not least, you will need to pass the last hurdle, a pharmacy law examination based upon the State that you wish to practice within. For instance:

• California - you will need to pass the CPJ Exam.
• Other States - you will need to pass the MPJ Exam.