Many International Pharmacy graduates (IPGs) aspire to become pharmacists in Canada, considering its high standards of living, good work-life balance, strong healthcare system, increasing demand for healthcare professionals, and high standard of pharmacy practice, making it a prime destination for those looking to build a successful pharmacy career. The only problem here is the weather, but once you overcome this hurdle, many options are available, and the job stability is high due to the rising shortage of pharmacists in Canada. Like every country, one needs to fulfill the licensure exam criteria and register in Canada to achieve this dream.
Therefore, let’s understand the step-by-step roadmap of becoming a pharmacist in Canada, as it could seem overwhelming without prior knowledge and preparation.
Overview of the Pharmacy Profession in Canada
In Canada, pharmacy is a well-regarded profession and a highly regulated healthcare field. In addition to medication dispensing, pharmacists also support patients in immunizations, patient education, chronic disease management, vaccinations, and interprofessional collaboration.
More than 42,000 pharmacists work as licensed pharmacists in Canada, making it their home. They work in various disciplines like:
- Hospital settings
- Primary healthcare teams
- Community pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Government and regulatory roles
The roles of pharmacists have been expanding over the years. Pharmacists in Canada can now prescribe for minor ailments and administer vaccines, etc., creating more opportunities to enter the field and a more rewarding career choice than ever.
Pharmacy Licensing Journey for International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs)
The IPGs must go through a multi-step licensure process that is governed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and provincial regulatory authorities (PRAs), ensuring that they meet the skills, knowledge, and competency to practise in the Canadian Healthcare system.
Here is the multi-step procedure broken into manageable steps for your understanding:
Step 1: Enrol in Pharmacist’s Gateway Canada
This is the very first step and a mandatory step for all pharmacists who want to begin this journey. The Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada is a national portal where we create a candidate portal, and you’ll be allotted a National ID Number. This National ID is essential to proceed to the later stages.
This body also tracks your progress and connects you with provincial regulatory authorities.
Step 2: Document Evaluation by PEBC
The next step is to have your documents evaluated by the PEBC to determine whether you are eligible to continue the process.
Only after your documents are approved will you be eligible to sit for the PEBC Evaluating Examination.
The documents required to proceed further are:
| S. No | Document | Submission Method | Important Notes |
| 1 | Application Form | Upload via PEBC Portal | Complete the online application form. Make sure all details match your identification documents. |
| 2 | Proof of Identity | Upload via PEBC Portal | Certified copy of a valid passport or government-issued ID. Must be certified by a notary public, lawyer, or other approved witness. |
| 3 | Pharmacy Degree Certificate | Upload via PEBC Portal | Certified copy of your pharmacy degree. Must be certified by an acceptable authority. |
| 4 | Academic Transcript | Sent directly by university to PEBC | Must be sent by your university via courier or secure email. Should include all courses, grades, and the date of degree conferral. |
| 5 | Licensing Statement (if applicable) | Sent directly by licensing authority to PEBC | Required if you were/are licensed in another country. The licensing body must send the statement directly to PEBC. |
| 6 | Name Change Document (if applicable) | Upload via PEBC Portal | If your name differs from what appears on your documents, submit a certified name change document. |
| 7 | Translations (if applicable) | Upload via PEBC Portal | Required for documents not in English or French. Must be translated by a certified translator. Both the original and the certified translation must be submitted. |
Step 3: Pass the PEBC Evaluating Examination
This is the first and major exam for all the IPGs who want to become licensed to practise as a pharmacist in Canada. This step comes after the PEBC approves your document evaluation. This exam ensures that the candidate has the foundational knowledge necessary to proceed to the Qualifying exam and that their educational background is on par with the Canadian standards.
- Format: Multiple-choice questions, computer-based exam
Subject Areas
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (25%)
- Pharmacy Practice (55%)
- Behavioural, Social, and Administrative Sciences (20%)
- From June 2025, the revised blueprint will be implemented
- The number of items will be reduced to 140 in total (reduced from 150).
- The elimination of the subject area of biomedical sciences makes this reduction in the length of the exam possible.
- The exam will still consist of two sections, with 90 minutes allocated to each section to complete 70 questions.
- Passing this exam qualifies you to apply for the PEBC Qualifying Examination.
Step 4: Pass the PEBC Qualifying Examination (Parts I & II)
The Qualifying examination is a mandate for all the candidates, not just the IPGs. This exam consists of two main parts:
- Part I: Multiple-choice questions (MCQ)- This exam tests your clinical and therapeutic knowledge.
- Part II: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) involving real-world patient scenarios. This exam tests your communication, patient assessment, and decision-making.
The following are the competencies assessed during the examination:
Competencies
- Competency 1: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Responsibilities
- Competency 2: Patient Care
- Competency 3: Product Distribution
- Competency 4: Practice Setting
- Competency 5: Health Promotion
- Competency 6: Knowledge and Research Application
- Competency 7: Communication and Education
- Competency 8: Intra and Inter-professional Collaboration
- Competency 9: Quality and Safety
- “Product Distribution” and “Practice Setting” have higher weightings in Part I (MCQ) than in Part II (OSCE), whereas “Communication and Education” and “Intra- and Interprofessional Collaboration” are more highly weighted in Part II (OSCE) than in Part I (MCQ).
- Over the past several years, the scope of pharmacists’ roles has been expanded, and to fulfil this, two new competencies, “Health Promotion” and “Quality and Safety,” have been included.
Step 5: Register with the Provincial Regulatory Authority
- Once you clear the PEBC Qualifying Exam, apply to the provincial authority of your choice where you intend to practice.
- The registration requirements are specific to the provinces, such as additional jurisprudence exams and internship hours or bridging programs etc.
- Jurisprudence exams test knowledge of pharmacy law and ethics pertaining to that province.
Cost of Becoming a Pharmacist in Canada
When starting a journey like this, finances play a vital role and its always better to jump into the process only after clearly understanding the financial aspects or the budget. These are the approximate costs as of 2025:
| Step | Fee (CAD) |
| Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada Enrolment | $385 |
| PEBC Document Evaluation | $715 |
| PEBC Evaluating Examination | $910 |
| PEBC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) | $855 |
| PEBC Qualifying Examination Part II (OSCE) | $1,915 |
There are other charges specific to the province like jurisprudence exam, bridging course, internship, internship costs etc which may vary.
Note: These are estimates. Costs can vary depending on province, preparation materials, and coaching support.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Licensed Pharmacist in Canada?
The timeline depends on various factors all through the process and can take anywhere from 18 to 36 months. The factors include:
- Exam availability
- Preparation time
- Credential verification delays
- Internship length
- Provincial registration requirements
Here’s a typical timeline:
| Activity | Time |
| Gateway & Document Evaluation | 2–4 months |
| PEBC Evaluating Exam Prep & Result | 3–6 months |
| PEBC Qualifying Exam Prep & Result | 6–12 months |
| Internship | 3–6 months |
| PRA Registration | 1–3 months |
Language Proficiency Requirements
Canada has two official languages, English and French, and about 75% of Canadians speak English, which makes proficiency in English a mandate for applicants to communicate properly with patients and Healthcare professionals who work hand in hand. PEBC does not require proof of language proficiency, but provincial authorities do. According to NAPRA, the following are the English language tests accepted:
- IELTS or International English Language Testing System– Academic Version
- OET or Occupational English Test
Career Opportunities After Getting Licensed
Once you get your license, start practising there; this field provides several opportunities.
- Community Pharmacist
- Dispensing medications
- Advising patients
- Administering vaccines
- Prescribing for minor ailments (in many provinces)
- Hospital Pharmacist
- Working in multidisciplinary teams
- Managing complex therapies
- Preparing IV medications
- Industry Pharmacist
- Drug development
- Clinical trials
- Regulatory affairs
- Government and Academia
- Policy-making roles
- Teaching and research opportunities
Salary Expectations:
- Entry-level: CAD $85,000 – $95,000/year
- Experienced: CAD $100,000 – $125,000/year
- Specialist roles: Up to CAD $140,000/year
How Elite Expertise Helps Your Canadian Pharmacist Journey
Elite Expertise will guide you through your journey to make your path easy at every step of the way:
- Document Evaluation: We guide you through all the required documents and the process.
- PEBC Exam Preparation: Our directors and mentors are our assets. Mr Arief Mohammad and Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu are experienced clinical pharmacists who will guide you through this journey with their experience.
- Live and interactive lectures
- Recorded sessions to make it feasible to learn at your pace
- Curated mock tests tailored for the Evaluating exam.
- Canadian pharmacist as your mentor: Mrs Shyama is a Canadian pharmacist who can help you understand Canadian laws and jurisprudence.
- Lifetime Access: You can opt for lifetime access to all our services at a one-time fee until you pass the PEBC evaluating exam.
Final Thoughts
Canada offers a broad scope to the pharmacy field, with the shortage of pharmacists and the increasing aging population. It is a choice for every pharmacist who aspires to establish a career abroad with expanding scopes of practice, competitive salaries, and a high standard of living. The path is difficult and requires constant support.
Therefore, having the knowledge and a full roadmap will ensure the path to success. With proper guidance and support, such as Elite Expertise, all international pharmacy graduates can navigate the Canadian licensure exam course confidently and successfully.
Ready to begin your pharmacist journey in Canada?
