Iffat AIn general, there are several stages to the process of gaining your registration to practise as a pharmacist in Canada. You can complete some of the earlier stages in your country, but most of them require you to visit or move to Canada. International pharmacy graduates (IPGs) have to go through three stages of examination before they can become licensed pharmacists in Canada.
Step 1: Document Evaluation:
PEBC requires proof that your education and training in pharmacy is comparable to that of Canadian programs. You must submit the required documents to PEBC for evaluation of your educational and professional licensure qualifications.
Please note: The minimum requirement is a four-year undergraduate degree in pharmacy. Once your qualifications have been accepted, you are eligible to write the Evaluating Examination.
a. Register with the Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada to obtain your NAPRA ID number.
FEES: $340 CAD
https://ipgportal.pharmacistsgatewaycanada.ca/
b. Document Evaluation
FEES: $685 CAD
In addition to completing the application and paying the fee in the Portal, you will need to submit the following items for your Document Evaluation to be completed:
- A properly witnessed printed application form
- A certified copy of documents to support identity
- Documents to support graduation from an acceptable pharmacy program sent directly by your college or university to PEBC
- Documents to support your international licensing status – licensing statements must be sent directly from your licensing authority
Additional documents or information may be requested in support of the application. Incorrectly submitted documents will delay the evaluation of your qualification.
Step 2: Evaluating Examination
The Evaluating Examination will assess your knowledge in all areas of current pharmaceutical education in Canada.
Candidates are permitted three attempts at a PEBC examination, after which they are required to complete remediation prior to a fourth (final) attempt.
Once you successfully pass the Evaluating Examination, you may take the Qualifying Examination. The PEBC examination consists of two tests on consecutive days, each with 150 multiple choice questions on pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice.
The PEBC exam pass mark is 60%.
Exam conducted:
January or July.PEBC Exam preparation course: https://academically.ai/courses/pebc-evaluating-exam-coaching-become-a-pharmacist-in-canada/
EXAM CENTERS:
Previously the exam was only conducted in Canada and UK. Now exam can be given in online in your home country.Step 3: Qualifying Examination
This is the final step to qualify for certification with PEBC. The Qualifying Examination assesses your competence (knowledge, skills and abilities) to practise pharmacy safely and effectively in an “entry-level” pharmacist position.
The Qualifying Examination has two parts. Part I consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ).
Part II is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which will evaluate your performance in a simulated practice environment.
Note: Both Parts of the Qualifying Examination must be successfully completed within a three-year period of passing one Part.
Part I—the MCQ Section
This first part of the Qualifying Examination consists of a computer-based test. It consists of two MCQ papers with 150 questions on consecutive days on pharmacy practice and clinical topics.
It is offered in May and November every year and must be taken in Canada. The PEBC does not provide information about pass marks or pass rates for either part of the qualifying exam.
Candidates cannot take papers or material into the exam.
For more information, refer to the https://pebc.ca/
Part II—the OSCE Section
This second part of the Qualifying Examination consists of a series of interactive and non-interactive “stations” simulating common or critical practical situations in pharmacy practice. The scenarios often include interactions with actors portraying simulated patients, caregivers and health professionals and may involve:
- Identifying and solving a patient’s drug-therapy problem;
- communicating effectively; and
- working with other health professionals.
Part 2 of the PEBC qualifying exam is an objective structured clinical examination, which should be familiar to most PharmD/MPharm Pharmacy Practice graduates. There are 16 stations, each lasting seven minutes.
Some stations require interaction with mock patients or healthcare professionals. Appropriate reference sources are provided for each station where necessary, but candidates cannot bring in papers or other material.
When you have passed both Parts of the examination you will be certified and registered with PEBC.
Other necessary steps should also be considered and completed to practice as a pharmacist in Canada.
- English Language Proficiency Exam:
You need to pass an English language proficiency exam, such as TOEFL or IELTS. However, if you wish to work in the Quebec province you will need to pass a French language proficiency exam instead.
- Jurisprudence Exam:
Another exam you need to pass is the jurisprudence exam for the Canadian province in which you wish to work. This tests your knowledge of Canadian pharmacy law and ethics, which varies substantially between provinces. It is generally offered several times a year in most provinces. Check the website for the provincial pharmacy organisation of your chosen province for more details.
- Internship:
You need to undertake internship in your chosen province. An internship is compulsory for all provinces and may vary in length between three and 12 months. This is the equivalent to UK/Australia/Malaysia etc preregistration training and requires you to work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
More information please visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada: https://pebc.ca/
PEBC Exam preparation course: https://academically.ai/courses/pebc-evaluating-exam-coaching-become-a-pharmacist-in-canada/
Note: To the best of our ability, we give all information in a correct manner, although errors are possible. We cannot guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or current.
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