Pharmacist

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Pharmacist

License by Examination for U.S. and Puerto Rico Graduates

Click on the appropriate tab to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Helpful Forms and Links, and Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Pharmacist Licensure by Examination for U.S. and Puerto Rico Graduates.

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements
General Requirements for License by Examination for U.S. and Puerto Rico

To be licensed as Pharmacist in Florida, you must have met the following requirements pursuant to Section 465.007, Florida Statutes:

  1. FORM A or OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: A degree from a school or college of pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the United States Office of Education. Form A or official transcripts must be submitted directly from the university or they will not be accepted. If you graduated outside of the U.S., then you are considered a foreign graduate. Please do not apply by this method.
  2. FORM B/INTERNSHIP OR WORK EXPERIENCE: A total of 2080 hours of an internship program approved by the Board.
    1. If you graduated with your Pharm.D. after January 1, 2001, you will only need to submit FORM A. You will not be required to submit FORM B.
    2. If you graduated with your B.S. or Pharm. D. before January 1, 2001, you will be required to submit both FORM A and FORM B.
      1. If you have worked as a licensed pharmacist in another state for one (1) year or more, you only must show your work experience to satisfy the 2080-hour requirement. Please have your employer complete the Form B.
      2. If you are self-employed as a pharmacist, please submit a notarized statement with your Form B attesting to your ownership of the pharmacy.
      3. If you are the supervising pharmacist or pharmacy manager, you cannot sign Form B. You must have a hiring manager, supervisor or human resource representative verify years/hours of work experience and employment.
  3. EXAM: Passing scores on both the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) (also referred to as the “Florida law exam”).
    1. The board is a participant in the NAPLEX Score Transfer Program. If you elect to transfer your NAPLEX score to Florida, the score is valid for three (3) years from the date you took the examination.
    2. If you passed the NAPLEX examination, please review the requirements for licensure by endorsement to see if you qualify by this method.
  4. LICENSE VERIFICATION: This form is required for applicants who hold or have ever held a license in another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete the License Verification Form. A license verification is required for all applicants. Online license verifications will be accepted as long as they are current and display discipline history.
Applicants with Health History

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a licensed health care practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Applicants with Discipline History

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following:

Board Actions – Certified copies of document(s), i.e. Final Order and Administrative Complaint, relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action and must be certified by that agency.

Self-Explanation – A detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your disciplinary action and a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in your lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action which would enable you to avoid future occurrences. It would be helpful to include factors in your life, which you feel may have contributed to your disciplinary action, what you have learned about yourself since that time, and the changes you have made that support your rehabilitation.

Applicants with Criminal History

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following:

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in their own words describing the circumstances of the offense. Include in your letter the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where it occurred.

To review the conviction record guidelines adopted by the Board, click here.

Health Care Fraud, Disqualification of Licensure, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
    1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012.
Helpful Forms & Links for U.S. & Puerto Rico Grads

Forms

Links

Process

The following steps apply to individuals who have less than 2 years of active practice experience and have not yet taken the NAPLEX examination.

The Board is a participant in the NAPLEX Score Transfer Program. If you elect to transfer your NAPLEX score to Florida, the score is valid for three (3) years from the date you took the examination. If you passed the NAPLEX examination more than 3 years ago, please review the requirements for licensure by endorsement to see if you qualify by this method.

  1. Apply for licensure by EXAMINATION FOR US GRADUATES. Ensure that all fields are completed as instructed. An incomplete application shall expire after one (1) year. Applications submitted without fees will not be processed. Please make sure to include your Social Security Number (SSN) on your application. Your application will not be approved unless this information is included on your application. To apply, click here.
  2. Request that the appropriate documentation be submitted based on your education.
    1. I have graduated with a Pharm. D. (after January 1, 2001) and requested that my university complete Form A and return to the Board office. Official transcripts sent directly from the university will also be accepted.
      OR
    2. I have graduated with a B.S. or Pharm. D. (before January 1, 2001) and requested the following:
      1. Form A to be completed by my university and returned to the Board office, and
      2. Form B to be completed by either the state board of pharmacy in the state you completed your internship or from your Employer. Form B must document the completion of 2080 internship or work experience hours. PLEASE BE ADVISED ALL INTERNS MUST HOLD A LICENSE OR PERMIT BY THE STATE IN WHICH THEY ARE PRACTICING IN ORDER TO COUNT THE HOURS AS INTERNSHIP HOURS.
        1. If you have worked as a licensed pharmacist in another state for one (1) year or more, you only must show your work experience to satisfy the 2080-hour requirement. Please have your employer complete the Form B.
        2. If you are self-employed as a pharmacist, please submit a notarized statement with your Form B attesting to your ownership of the pharmacy.
        3. If you are the supervising pharmacist or pharmacy manager, you cannot sign Form B. You must have a hiring manager, supervisor or human resource representative verify years/hours of work experience and employment.
  3. Submit examination requests for the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE through National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. If you have completed and passed the NAPLEX examination in another state in the past 3 years, please request an official score transfer from NABP. You will not need to retake the NAPLEX examination. However, you will still need to submit an examination request for the Florida MPJE. Please visit the NABP website to complete this process.
  4. Request Certification/License Verification. This form is required for applicants who hold or have ever held a license in another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country; no matter the status. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete the Licensure Verification Form. Online license verifications will be accepted as long as they are current and display discipline history.

Please allow 30 days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.

  • Department of Health
    Board of Pharmacy
    4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-04
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Once your application has been deemed complete, our office will notify the NABP that your application is complete. You will be sent an Authorization to Test number (ATT) by email from NABP. Your ATT is valid for one (1) year from the date our office received your application.

The NABP will provide test scores to the Board of Pharmacy. Applicants may view scores online via the NABP’s website. After passing scores are received by the Board office, please allow for 14-16 business days for processing. If you have obtained passing scores on both the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE examinations, your Florida Pharmacist license will be issued.

If you did not pass the required examinations, your ATT will be valid for one (1) year from the date our office received your application. Should you not pass the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE examinations within the one-year timeframe, you will need submit a new application and the $100 fees to the Board office.

Fees

Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.

Application Fee$100.00 (non-refundable)
Initial Licensure Fee$190.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total$295.00

If you do not pass the required examinations within one year of your application date, you must reapply and submit the application fee of $100 with your application as set forth in Rule 64B16-26.1001.

Please note examination fees for the NAPLEX and MPJE are paid directly to NABP, not the Board office. Examination fees are subject to change per the NABP’s discretion.

NAPLEX Fee$620.00
MPJE Fee$270.00
Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 465: Pharmacy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 499: Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act
Chapter 893: Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B16: Board of Pharmacy

License by Examination for Non-U.S. Graduates

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Helpful Forms and Links, and Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Pharmacist Licensure by Examination for Non-U.S. Graduates.

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements
General Requirements for Non U.S. Graduates

To be licensed as Pharmacist in Florida, you must have met the following requirements pursuant to Section 465.007, Florida Statutes:

  1. 500 FLORIDA INTERSHIP HOURS: A total of 500 internship hours completed as a Florida Pharmacy Intern Non-U.S. Graduate under an approved preceptor. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED YOUR FLORIDA INTERNSHIP, PLEASE FIRST APPLY AS A PHARMACY INTERN NON-U.S. GRADUATE.
  2. FORM B/INTERNSHIP OR WORK EXPERIENCE: A total of 2080 hours of an internship program approved by the Board—500 Florida internship hours registered as a Pharmacy Intern Non-U.S. Graduate plus 1580 hours of internship or work experience hours. Form B must document the completion of 1580 internship or work experience hours. The hours documented on Form B may not overlap with the 500 Florida internship hours.
    1. If you are self-employed as a pharmacist, please submit a notarized statement with your Form B attesting to your ownership of the pharmacy.
    2. If you are the supervising pharmacist or pharmacy manager, you cannot sign Form B. You must have a hiring manager, supervisor or human resource representative verify years/hours of work experience and employment.
  3. NON-U.S. GRADUATE: A graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English pursuant to Section 465.007(2), F.S. and Rule 64B16-2.031, F.A.C. by successfully passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination and the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT).
    1. English proficiency can be met in one (1) of two (2) of the following pathways:
Pathway 1Pathway 2
FPGEEFPGEC Certification
TOEFL ibt
  1. EXAM: Passing scores on both the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) (also referred to as the “Florida law exam”).
    1. The board is a participant in the NAPLEX Score Transfer Program. If you elect to transfer your NAPLEX score to Florida, the score is valid for three (3) years from the date you took the examination.
    2. If you passed the NAPLEX examination, please review the requirements for licensure by endorsement to see if you qualify by this method.
  2. LICENSE VERIFICATION: This form is required for applicants who hold or have ever held a license in another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete the License Verification Form. A license verification is required for all applicants. Online license verifications will be accepted as long as they are current and display discipline history.
Applicants with Health History

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a licensed health care practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Applicants with Discipline History

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following:

Board Actions – Certified copies of document(s), i.e. Final Order and Administrative Complaint, relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action and must be certified by that agency.

Self-Explanation – A detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your disciplinary action and a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in your lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action which would enable you to avoid future occurrences. It would be helpful to include factors in your life, which you feel may have contributed to your disciplinary action, what you have learned about yourself since that time, and the changes you have made that support your rehabilitation.

Applicants with Criminal History

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following:

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Self-Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in their own words describing the circumstances of the offense. Include in your letter the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where it occurred.

To review the conviction record guidelines adopted by the Board, click here.

Health Care Fraud, Disqualification of Licensure, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

  1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
    1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
    3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
  2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
  3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
  4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
  5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012.
Helpful Links & Forms for Non U.S. Grads
Process

The following steps apply to individuals who have less than 2 years of active practice experience, may have not yet taken the NAPLEX examination, and are a Non-U.S. graduate. NOTE: The board is a participant in the NAPLEX Score Transfer Program. If you elect to transfer your NAPLEX score to Florida, the score is valid for three (3) years from the date you took the examination. If you have already passed the NAPLEX, you will not have to take the NAPLEX again. If you passed the NAPLEX examination more than 3 years ago, please review the requirements for licensure by endorsement to see if you qualify by this method.

  1. Apply for licensure by EXAMINATION FOR NON-U.S. GRADUATES. Ensure that all fields are completed as instructed. An incomplete application shall expire after one (1) year. Applications submitted without fees will not be processed. Please make sure to include your Social Security Number (SSN) on your application. Your application will not be approved unless this information is included on your application. To apply, click here.
  2. Submit Work Activity Manual and Form B to the Board office.
    1. Work Activity Manuals must be submitted and reviewed by the Board office. The 500 internship hours must be performed under an approved preceptor in Florida during your Florida internship and must be submitted to the Board office for approval.
    2. Form B must document a minimum of at least 1580 internship or work experience hours to be completed by either the state board of pharmacy in the state you completed your internship or from your Employer. The 500 Florida internship hours cannot overlap with the other 1580 internship or work experience hours.
      1. If you are self-employed as a pharmacist, please submit a notarized statement with your Form B attesting to your ownership of the pharmacy.
      2. If you are the supervising pharmacist or pharmacy manager, you cannot sign Form B. You must have a hiring manager, supervisor or human resource representative verify years/hours of work experience and employment.
  3. NON-U.S. GRADUATE: A graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English pursuant to Section 465.007(2), F.S. and Rule 64B16-2.031, F.A.C. by successfully passing the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination and the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT).
    1. English proficiency can be met in one (1) of two (2) of the following pathways
      Pathway 1Pathway 2FPGEEFPGEC CertificationTOEFL ibt
  1. Submit examination requests for the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE through National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. If you have completed and passed the NAPLEX examination in another state in the past 3 years, please request an official score transfer from NABP. You will not need to retake the NAPLEX examination. However, you will still need to submit an examination request for the Florida MPJE. Please visit the NABP website to complete this process.
  2. Request Certification/License Verification. This form is required for applicants who hold or have ever held a license in another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country; no matter the status. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete the Licensure Verification Form. Online license verifications will be accepted as long as they are current and display discipline history.

If you have not yet submitted your completed Work Activity Manual to the Board office, please do so at your earliest convenience. You must have your 500 Florida internship hours approved and verified by the Board office prior to receiving exam approval. Even if all other documentation has been received, you will not receive exam approval until the 500 Florida internship hours have been approved by the Board office. You may submit your completed Work Activity Manual to the Board office.

Please allow 30 days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.

  • Department of Health
    Board of Pharmacy
    4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-04
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Once your application has been deemed complete, our office will notify the NABP that your application is complete. You will be sent an Authorization to Test number (ATT) by email from NABP. Your ATT is valid for one (1) year from the date our office received your application.

The NABP will provide test scores to the Board of Pharmacy. Applicants may view scores online via NABP’s website. After passing scores are received by the Board office, please allow for 14-16 business days for processing. If you have obtained passing scores on both the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE examinations, your Florida Pharmacist license will be issued.

If you did not pass the required examinations, your ATT will be valid for one (1) year from the date our office received your application. Should you not pass the NAPLEX and Florida MPJE examinations within the one-year timeframe, you will need submit a new application and the $100 fees to the Board office.

Fees

Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health.

Application Fee$100.00 (non-refundable)
Initial Licensure Fee$190.00
Unlicensed Activity Fee$5.00
Total$295.00

If you do not pass the required examinations within one year of your application date, you must reapply and submit the application fee of $100 with your application as set forth in Rule 64B16-26.1001.

Please note examination fees for the NAPLEX and MPJE are paid directly to NABP, not the Board office. Examination fees are subject to change per the NABP’s discretion.

NAPLEX Fee$620.00
MPJE Fee$270.00
Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 465: Pharmacy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 499: Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act
Chapter 893: Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B16: Board of Pharmacy

License by MOBILE Endorsement

Click on the appropriate tab to see the Initial Licensing Requirements, Process, Fees, Helpful Forms and Links, and Statutes and Administrative Rules for a Pharmacist and Registered Pharmacy Technician by MOBILE Endorsement.

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements

To be licensed as a Pharmacist or Registered Pharmacy Technician in Florida through the MOBILE Endorsement pathway you must meet the following requirements in section 456.0145, Florida Statutes:

  1. Must hold an active, unencumbered license issued by another state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States in a profession with a similar scope of practice, determined by the board or the department, as applicable.
  2. Must have obtained a passing score on a national licensure examination or hold a national certification recognized by the board;

OR

An applicant for a profession that does not require a national examination or national certification is eligible for licensure if the applicable board, or the department if there is no board, determines that the jurisdiction in which the applicant currently holds an active, unencumbered license meets established minimum education requirements and, if applicable, examination, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements are substantially similar to the requirements for licensure in that profession in this state.

  1. Must have actively practiced the profession for at least two years during the four-year period immediately preceding the date of submission of this application.
  2. Must not have ever been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have the report removed or if the reported adverse action was a result of conduct that would not constitute a violation of any Florida law or rule.
  3. Must not be the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the United States Department of Defense for reason related to the practice of the profession for which the applicant is applying.
  4. Must not have had disciplinary action taken in the five years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application.

Refer to section 456.0145(2)(c), Florida Statutes, for licensure ineligibility criteria.

Process

Applicants must complete the following steps:

  1. Contact the state board(s) in which a license has been held to request License Verification be sent to Florida. If the state has an online verification including disciplinary actions, we will accept the online verification.
  2. If applicable, Transfer National Examination scores from NABP | National Association of Boards of Pharmacy | NABP Login.
  3. Apply online at flhealthsource.gov, pay applicable fees, and upload any supplemental documentation.
  4. If applicants have any affirmative answers in the Criminal, Personal, or Disciplinary sections of the application, submission of the personal statement and supporting documentation can be uploaded with the online application.
  5. Please allow up to 10 business days for initial review of new applications. All applications and document submissions are reviewed in the order they are received. After your application is reviewed, any deficiencies will be communicated to you in writing by our Board staff. To expedite processing, please submit all required supporting documentation with your application and the requisite fees. If you are having documentation submitted by another entity on your behalf, please verify the Board office’s mailing address to ensure delivery.
  6. When all requirements are met the license will be issued to qualified applicants within 7 days pursuant to Section 456.0145(2)(e), Florida Statutes.

Department of Health
Board of Pharmacy
4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-04
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Fees

Pharmacy $295.00

Registered Pharmacy Technician $105.00

Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 465: Pharmacy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 499: Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act
Chapter 893: Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B16: Board of Pharmacy

Processing Times

Florida law provides that an initial application must be reviewed within 30 days. Below is the average number of days at which we are currently processing.

Apply Online / Return to Login

To apply online visit MQA Services Portal to create an account or return to your account by clicking the button below.

Helpful Links & Forms for Non U.S. Grads

Helpful Forms & Links for U.S. & Puerto Rico Grads

Forms

Links

Statutes & Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 465: Pharmacy
Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120: Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 499: Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act
Chapter 893: Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

Florida Administrative Code

Rules: Chapter 64B16: Board of Pharmacy

Renewing Your License

Click on the appropriate tab below to see the Renewal Requirements, Process, Fees and Continuing Education (CE) for a Pharmacist

Florida passed House Bill 975 following the 2024 legislative session, which requires this profession to complete electronic fingerprinting. Your application cannot be approved until this requirement, along with all other licensure criteria, has been met. For more information on background screening, visit MQA's Background Screening website.

Requirements

Current licenses will expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on September 30, 2025.

All pharmacists with a 50-year qualification who have held an active Florida pharmacist license are fee exempt. Pharmacists with this distinction are still required to meet the current continuing education (CE) requirements prior to each licensure renewal.

All renewal provisions must be met to successfully renew your license. To ensure you receive your renewal notification from the department, your current mailing address must be on file. Failure to renew an active or inactive license by the expiration date will result in the license being placed in delinquent status. Failure by a delinquent licensee to become clear and active or clear and inactive before the expiration of the current licensure cycle renders the license null and void without any further action by the board or the department.

Licensees requesting to reactivate their license from inactive or retired status are required to pay additional fees and comply with specific continuing education requirements. Please contact the board office at info@floridaspharmacy.gov to request your reactivation requirements.

A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.

The department will renew your license upon receipt of:

  1. Completed CE requirements – reported to CE Broker
  2. Completed renewal application
  3. Required fees
  4. Complete a mandatory background screening or retain* your current fingerprints. To learn more, please visit https://flhealthsource.gov/background-screening/.

*Required section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

Process
Process

Renewal Instructions:

  1. Go to www.flhealthsource.gov and click the “Renew A License” button.
  2. Enter your Personal Identifying Information (PII), then click the Login button.
  3. Confirm or update your MQA Services Account email address, then click the “Continue” button.
  4. You are now in the Dashboard. During renewals, a “Renew My License” option will populate no later than 90 days prior to your license expiration date. (Note: If you do not see the “Renew My License” option, please check back at a later time.)

*** If the “PII Failed” screen displays, click the “Other Login Option” button and enter your existing User ID and password to access your account.***

Additional Information:

  • You may renew online if you have a credit or debit card to complete the transaction. Please note that you can now renew online, print a copy of your application summary and mail it with your cashier’s check or money order to:
    Division of Medical Quality Assurance
    P.O. Box 6320
    Tallahassee, FL 32314-6320
  • If you are renewing your license after the expiration date and your status still indicates Clear/Active or Clear/Inactive, you will be assessed a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee will be in addition to your renewal fees.
  • If your license is Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive you may still renew prior to the renewal deadline. The following actions must be taken prior to renewing your license:
    • Prior to renewing your license, you must report your continuing education (CE) hours to the Department of Health’s tracking system.
    • To renew a delinquent license, you will need to report your CE hours for your current cycle, as well as your previous cycle.
    • If you did not complete CE courses in your last renewal cycle, you may complete them now and report them to the CE tracking system.
    • To report course completion, log onto your MQA Online Account.  From your dashboard, go to “Additional Activities” and select Report CE/CME.
    Please note, when renewing your license, a delinquent fee will be assessed in addition to all applicable renewal fees.
  • If your license was Delinquent/Active or Delinquent/Inactive before the renewal deadline, it will be moved to Null and Void status after the renewal deadline. You should contact your board office for further instruction.
  • The process of renewing a license may take 7-10 business days. Initiating contact to confirm the receipt of fees or the status of your license prior to this time will not expedite the renewal process.
  • A licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two consecutive biennial licensure cycles and who wishes to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special purpose examination or by completing other reactivation requirements.
  • If you are reactivating your license, please refer to the laws and rules governing your practice for additional requirements.
  • Note: Do not submit certificates of completion of continuing education hours to the Florida Board of Pharmacy. Please report continuing education credits to the Department of Health through our CE tracking system at www.cebroker.com.
Name Change

If you are renewing online and need to change your name, please follow these instructions prior to renewing your liIf you are renewing online and need to change your name, please follow these instructions prior to renewing your license:

Name changes require legal documentation showing the name change. Please log into your MQA Online Services Portal account to submit your request and enter your full name as it appears on your legal documentation. If you are submitting your request online, please attach/upload supporting documents, which must be one of the following:

  • A copy of a state issued marriage license that includes the original signature and seal from the clerk of the court
  • A divorce decree showing the name change
  • A court order showing the name change (Adoption, legal name change, federal identity change)
  • A copy of a certificate of naturalization or H1B Employment Visa (Note: Foreign applicants and/or licensees may not have state issued documents)

Any one of these will be accepted unless the department has a question about the authenticity of the document.

NOTE: Please allow 5-7 business days for your request to be processed. If you are requesting a name change outside of renewal and wish to receive a new license reflecting the name change, you must request a duplicate license.

Fees

All pharmacists with a 50-year qualification who have held an active Florida pharmacist license are fee exempt. Pharmacists with this distinction are still required to meet the current continuing education (CE) requirements prior to each licensure renewal.

Certified check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health If renewing BEFORE your license expires, your fees will be:

Active Renewing Active $205.00
Active Requesting Inactive $205.00
Inactive Renewing Inactive $205.00
Inactive Requesting Active $275.00
Military Requesting Active $205.00
Military Requesting Inactive $205.00
Active Requesting Retired $55.00
Inactive Requesting Retired $55.00

If renewing AFTER your license expires, your fees will be:

Active Renewing Active $305.00
Inactive Renewing Inactive $305.00
Active Requesting Inactive $330.00
Inactive Requesting Active $400.00
Active Requesting Retired $180.00
Inactive Requesting Retired $180.00

Licenses that expired September 30, 2023 will become Null & Void1 on September 30, 2025. If renewing 120 day Notified Delinquent, your fees will be:

Delinquent Active Renewing Active $510.00
Delinquent Active Requesting Inactive $510.00
Delinquent Inactive Renewing Inactive $510.00
Delinquent Inactive Requesting Active $580.00
Delinquent Active Requesting Retired $360.00
Delinquent Inactive Requesting Retired $360.00

*Required section 456.0135(6)(1), Florida Statutes, a $43.25 fee is required for FDLE to retain your fingerprint for background screening during this licensure cycle. This fee is collected at the time of licensure renewal if your fingerprint retention is expiring this licensure period. If your fingerprint retention expires in the next 60 days, you will need to to pay separately through the Clearinghouse Applicant Initiated (CHAI) System.

By submitting the appropriate renewal fees to the department, a licensee acknowledges compliance with all requirements for renewal, including continuing education.

1Null & Void -The licensed practitioner failed to renew their licensure status for two renewal cycles, resulting in their license expiring.

 

Continuing Education

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

To locate board approved CE Courses for this profession, please click here

REQUIRED SUBJECT AREA REQUIRED NUMBER OF HOURS IMPORTANT INFORMATION
General Hours 26 Can be ACPE or Board Approved
Controlled Substances 2 Must be Board Approved
Medication errors 2 Must be Board Approved

First Biennium Renewal:

If your initial renewal occurs less than 12 months from your initial licensure date you are required to complete 1 hour in HIV/AIDS, 2 hours of medication errors, and 2 hours of controlled substances.

If you are renewing your license for the first time AND your initial renewal occurs 12 months or more after initial licensure date you are required to complete 15 hours, including 2 hours of medication errors, 2 hours of controlled substances, and 1 hour in HIV/AIDS.

Board Rule Approved Providers

  • Accreditation Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
  • Providers and courses approved by the Board of Pharmacy listed in CEBroker

Other Methods of Obtaining Continuing Medical Education per Biennium

  • 5 hours for attendance at a Board of Pharmacy meeting (maximum per biennium is 10)
  • 5 hours for serving as a Board of Pharmacy Board member (maximum per biennium is 10)
  • Up to 5 for performance of volunteer services to the indigent as provided in Section 456.013(9) Post professional degree programs provided by accredited colleges or schools of pharmacy. Credit shall be awarded at the rate of 5 hours of continuing education credit per semester hour completed with the 24 months prior to the expiration date of the license
  • Post-graduate studies, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, correspondence courses or other educational opportunities which advance the practice of the profession of pharmacy if approved by the Board. Courses must be submitted for approval 45 days in advance of the course date.

Helpful Information

  • For Pharmacists that are certified to immunize, you are required to complete a 3-hour continuing education course approved by a statewide association of physicians in the state. Approved courses are listed in CEBroker.
    • Each pharmacist certified to administer a vaccine or epinephrine autoinjection under s. 465.189 must complete a 3-hour continuing education course, which shall be offered by a statewide professional association of physicians in this state accredited to provide educational activities designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category I credit, on the safe and effective administration of vaccines and epinephrine autoinjection as part of biennial relicensure or recertification. This course may be offered in a distance-learning format and must be included in the 30 hours of continuing professional pharmaceutical education.
  • For Pharmacists that hold a collaborative practice certification, you are required to complete an 8-hour continuing education course approved by the board. Approved courses are listed in CEBrokerIf you obtained the collaborative practice certification less than 12 months from your certification date, you are not required to complete the additional 8-hours of continuing education.
  • For Pharmacists that hold a test and treat certification, you are required to complete a 3-hour continuing education course approved by the board. Approved courses are listed in CEBroker.
  • Please verify the course(s) you are attending are approved for Pharmacist and not Pharmacy Technicians. Pharmacist cannot receive credit for attending a course approved for Technicians. Courses approved for Pharmacist will have an ACPE-P approval number and courses approved for Technicians will have an ACPE-T approval number.
Statutes and Rules

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statute

Chapter 456: Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 465: Pharmacy
Section 465.009: Continuing professional pharmaceutical education.
Section 465.1895: Testing or screening for and treatment of minor, nonchronic health conditions.

Florida Administrative Codes

Rule 64B16-26.1003: Active License Renewal Fees
Rule 64B16-26.1004: Inactive License Election; Renewal; Fees
Rule 64B16-26.1005: Retired License Election; Renewal; Fees
Rule 64B16-26.102: Delinquent License Reversion; Reinstatement; Fees
Rule 64B16-26.103: Continuing Education Credits; Renewal

Renew Online

To renew online visit the MQA Services Portal by clicking the button below.