How to Become a Pharmacist – Education Requirements
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Pharmacy is a fulfilling career with a straightforward education track. Before obtaining licensure within their state, students must complete certain educational and exam requirements. Additionally, determining how much pharmacists make in various industries can help students develop future professional goals, leading to better choices along their academic journey.
Have you dreamed of working with patients every single day? Are you someone that loves chemistry and biology? Do you want to help people become healthier by providing medications and medical advice? Pharmacy may be the perfect field for you.
Pharmacists in the United States have an essential role in healthcare — they dispense medications to patients, administer vaccines, conduct wellness screenings, and much more. The day-to-day tasks of a pharmacist are never the same.
Because of this fast-paced, exciting work environment, this is a desirable career path for many people interested in healthcare. And, with over 300,000 people in the United States working in this field, more and more students want to know how to become a pharmacist.
Below, we will consider key factors students must know to become a pharmacist, including educational requirements and salary information.??
How to Become a Pharmacist
For aspiring pharmacists, the educational path is straightforward. Students must:
Pharmacists can also explore postdoctoral training prospects (such as a residency or fellowship) after obtaining their licenses if they wish to receive specialized training.??
Undergraduate Studies
The first step to becoming a pharmacist is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Pre-pharmacy, biology or chemistry are common undergraduate programs for future pharmacists.
Students may be able to enter pharmacy school with at least two years of pre-pharmacy preparatory coursework. However, a bachelor’s degree will provide more in-depth information, making it easier to pass the PCAT.?
It is a good idea to look at the requirements of specific pharmacy programs. Most pharmacy schools require specific courses, such as biology, mathematics or chemistry, and a grade point average of 3.0.?
The PCAT
Some pharmacy schools require the PCAT for admissions, while others may only recommend it to create a more holistic application. The PCAT will assess:
Apply to Pharmacy School
After passing the PCAT, students will apply for pharmacy programs. The admissions cycle for pharmacy programs typically starts sometime in the summer of the year prior to the applicant’s first semester. For example, a student may apply in July of 2023 to start school in the fall 2024 semester. Since pharmacy programs give you a lot of time to apply, submitting well before the deadline is the best move for students who are serious about enrolling in specific programs — especially competitive ones.
Once admitted, a student can expect to spend four years in their PharmD program, which will often lead to a?one- or two-year residency program. Pharmacy school takes four to six years altogether for most students.?
Licensure Requirements
Anyone hoping to practice as a pharmacist in the United States must have a state-issued license first. Even though every state has unique licensing requirements, most follow a similar approach. The most common requirements include:
Those graduating from pharmacy schools outside the U.S. must also complete the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification.?
Most states require pharmacist licensure renewal every one to three years. Also, pharmacists must complete a specific number of continuing education (CE) hours per license period.
Postdoctoral Training Opportunities
PharmD graduates have the option to join the workforce right away or complete further training.?
Postdoctoral training may be necessary if a pharmacist wants to work in a specialized pharmaceutical field, making them more competitive candidates who have evolved with the industry. Additionally, those who choose to become researchers may need additional training to learn technical knowledge that general pharmacy programs don't teach.?
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Examples of these training program topics include:
Tips on How to Succeed in Pharmacy School
The transition from undergrad to professional school can be scary. However, there are some things pharmacy students can do to succeed in their programs. To have a better experience in pharmacy school, focus on:
What Is the Career Outlook for Pharmacists?
Pharmacist employment should grow around 2% in the next decade. While this is slower than other occupations, those with experience, advanced training and specialized skills will still benefit from open positions. There should be around 13,600 job openings for pharmacists every year until 2031 as people retire or transition to new roles.
How Much Do Pharmacists Make?
The mean annual wage for pharmacists in the United States was $128,570 in 2021. The lowest 10% of pharmacists earned less than $76,840, while the top 10% earned over $164,590.
Many pharmacists work full-time (or more) depending on their work location. Additionally, since many pharmacies are open outside of regular business hours, pharmacists may work on the weekends or at night.?
The Highest-Paying States for Pharmacists
Due to the high average student debt among new pharmacists, salary is of significant concern in this field.?
The highest-paying states for pharmacists are:
Other high-paying states include Wisconsin, New York, Texas, Nevada and Oregon. Pharmacists will also see higher salaries with more experience and tenure in the field.?
Top-Paying Pharmacy Industries to Consider
Most pharmacists work in community (retail) or hospital settings. However, the highest-paying industries for pharmacists (with their associated annual mean wage) are:
Some of these industries require specialized knowledge or postdoctoral training. Additionally, since the employment levels are lower for pharmacists in these industries, there is more competition for open positions.?
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Pharmacy School
Pharmacy is a rewarding career that offers possibilities in research and patient care. However, before practicing as a pharmacist, students must:
A prospective pharmacy student must take time to research different pharmacy programs and select the option that connects best with their future goals. Each program has a distinctive structure that some students may align with more than others. Knowing these factors makes a difference if you’re looking for something specific, such as an accelerated program or a particular campus environment.?
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How to become a pharmacist – education requirements
(Reporting by NPD)