{"application_form_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","application_portal_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/applicants/rph.shtml","board_contact_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/about/contact_us.shtml","board_email":"See board website","board_fax":"(916) 574-8618","board_mailing_address":"2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95833","board_name":"California Board of Pharmacy","board_parent_org":"California Department of Consumer Affairs","board_phone":"(916) 518-3100","board_physical_address":"2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95833","board_source_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov","board_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov","canonical_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/california-pharmacist","ce_requirements_url":null,"common_delays":[{"description":"Application name must identically match the name on your government-issued ID and fingerprint records.","title":"Name Discrepancies"},{"description":"Failure to submit affidavits for the full 1,500 required hours or missing supervising pharmacist signatures.","title":"Incomplete Intern Hours"},{"description":"Poor quality prints or incorrect agency codes (ORI) on Live Scan forms can cause significant delays.","title":"Fingerprint Rejections"},{"description":"Submitting an opened or expired (older than 60 days) NPDB Self-Query report.","title":"NPDB Report Issues"}],"compact_member":false,"compact_name":"N/A","compact_privilege_fee":"N/A","created_at":"2026-04-09T17:05:28.570598+00:00","credential_type":"RPh, PharmD","description":"Apply for a California Pharmacist license. Learn about the requirements, NAPLEX and CPJE exams, and state fees.","endorsement_application_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","endorsement_fees":{"app_fee":"$250","fingerprinting_fee":"$49 in-state (LiveScan) / ~$89 out-of-state (IdentoGO)","jurisprudence_exam_fee":"CPJE registration fee (see NABP)","total_estimated_cost":"$299\u2013$339+"},"endorsement_steps":[{"description":"California does not offer reciprocity. You must follow the standard application process but include verification of your current license.","title":"Verify Out-of-State License","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","url_label":"Application Packet"},{"description":"If you have already passed the NAPLEX, you must request a score transfer to California via NABP.","title":"Transfer NAPLEX Score","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"All out-of-state pharmacists must pass the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE).","title":"Pass the CPJE","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/applicants/rph.shtml","url_label":"CPJE Information"}],"exam_registration_url":null,"faqs":[{"answer":"No. California does not recognize reciprocity. All applicants must pass the NAPLEX and the California-specific CPJE.","question":"Does California offer pharmacist reciprocity?"},{"answer":"Applicants must complete 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience, documented via Board affidavits.","question":"How many intern hours are required for licensure?"},{"answer":"Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE every two years, including mandatory Board-provided law and ethics webinars.","question":"What are the continuing education (CE) requirements?"},{"answer":"The Board typically takes 30 to 45 days to process an application once all materials are received.","question":"How long does it take to process a pharmacist application?"}],"fee_payment_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/about/fee_schedule.shtml","fingerprint_delay_weeks":"2-4","fingerprint_fee":"$49.00","fingerprint_method_in_state":"LiveScan (IdentoGO)","fingerprint_method_out_of_state":"IdentoGO Out-of-State Live Scan (adds ~$39.95 fee) OR FD-258 hard card via mail (tip: moisturize hands for days prior to reduce smudge rejects)","fingerprint_required":true,"fingerprint_url":null,"fingerprint_vendor":"California DOJ LiveScan","fingerprint_vendor_url":"https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations","initial_fee_amount":250.0,"initial_fee_breakdown":"$250 application/license fee","last_updated":"2026-03-28","last_verified":"2026-03-28","license_duration":"2 Years","licensing_pathway":"endorsement","payload_url":"https://statelicensingreference.com/api/california-pharmacist.json","processing_time":"4 to 6 Weeks","profession":"Pharmacist","provisional_info":"California offers an Intern Pharmacist license for PharmD graduates who have completed their education but are waiting to take or receive results from the NAPLEX and CPJE. The intern license allows practice under a licensed pharmacist's supervision.","reciprocity_info":"Pharmacists licensed in another state can apply for California licensure via the Board's reciprocity process. California requires passing the CPJE (not the MPJE) regardless of existing out-of-state licensure. NABP e-Profile license transfer is accepted.","renewal_cycle":"Every 2 years","renewal_fee_amount":150.0,"renewal_portal_url":null,"required_documents":[{"description":"The primary application form for all pharmacist candidates.","name":"Pharmacist Examination for Licensure Application (17A-1)","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","url_label":"Download Form"},{"description":"Must be sent directly from your ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy to the Board.","name":"Official Transcripts","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Documentation of at least 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience.","name":"Pharmacy Intern Hours Affidavit (17A-29)","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","url_label":"Download Form"},{"description":"A sealed, original report from the National Practitioner Data Bank, dated within 60 days of application.","name":"NPDB Self-Query Report","url":"https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/","url_label":"NPDB Website"},{"description":"A 2x2 inch color passport-style photo taken within 60 days of filing.","name":"Passport Photo","url":null,"url_label":null}],"slug":"california-pharmacist","state_name":"California","state_slug":"california","statutes_url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/laws_regs/lawbook.shtml","steps":[{"description":"Complete the Pharmacist Examination for Licensure Application (Form 17A-1) and mail it to the Board with the $260 non-refundable fee.","title":"Submit Examination and Licensure Application","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/rph_app_pkt.pdf","url_label":"Download Application Packet"},{"description":"California residents must use Live Scan. Out-of-state applicants must request and submit hard fingerprint cards.","title":"Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check","url":null,"url_label":null},{"description":"Provide official transcripts, intern hour affidavits, and a sealed Self-Query Report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).","title":"Submit Supporting Documentation","url":"https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/ext/selfquery/SQHome.jsp","url_label":"Request NPDB Self-Query"},{"description":"Register for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination through the NABP website. California must be selected as your primary state or score transfer state.","title":"Register for NAPLEX","url":"https://nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/naplex/","url_label":"Register for NAPLEX"},{"description":"Once the Board deems you eligible, you will receive an eligibility letter. Use this to schedule the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE) via PSI.","title":"Receive Eligibility and Register for CPJE","url":"https://candidate.psiexams.com/","url_label":"Schedule CPJE"},{"description":"After passing both the NAPLEX and CPJE, submit the 'Request for Issuance of Pharmacist License' form and the initial license fee.","title":"Request License Issuance","url":"https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/applicants/rph.shtml","url_label":"License Issuance Info"}],"temp_license_available":true,"temp_license_duration":"Until exam results received","temp_license_fee":"Contact Board","temp_license_processing_time":"Contact Board","updated_at":"2026-04-12T09:02:59.194783+00:00","verify_license_url":"https://search.dca.ca.gov/"}