How To Become A Pharmacist

How To Become A Pharmacist

The career of a pharmacist is an exciting and rewarding career choice. Pharmacists can work in many different places including drug stores, department stores with pharmacies, hospitals and research laboratories. For those people, who would like to start a career in this lucrative field, this article may be of some help.

Educational requirements to be a pharmacist

People will need to complete an intensive pharmacy program at a qualified school before they can become a pharmacist. Most of these programs include up to 2 years of pre-pharmacy courses including physiology, general chemistry and biology. Once students complete these prerequisites, they will then need to get their bachelor's degree in the field of pharmacy. In many colleges, they may have to take the PCAT, or Pharmacy College Admittance Test, before they can gain admittance into a pharmacy program. When choosing a suitable college, students will want to choose one that is fully accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, or ACPE. At the present time, there are approximately 80 colleges accredited by the ACPE. After people earn their bachelor's degree in pharmacy, they then need to go on to earn their doctor of pharmacy degree. This entire process can take up to 6 years.

Licensing and internship requirements to be a pharmacist

All graduates must be licensed before they can practice as a pharmacist. Although each state may have its unique requirements, all of the states require people to pass an exam successfully to become licensed pharmacists. Once they successfully pass their licensing exams, they will then need to complete an internship with a licensed pharmacist. Upon completion of their internship, they can then work as licensed pharmacists.

Licensed pharmacists will need to renew their licenses every two years either through a continuing education class or online class.

The field of pharmacy offers many exciting and satisfying opportunities