The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has strict rules regarding would-be pharmacists who were trained abroad but want to work in the United States. The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) is a requirement of the FPGEC Certification Program. As part of the certification program, the NABP scrutinizes the documentation of each foreign candidate and ensures that he has followed a proper pharmacy curriculum and is suitably qualified.

Qualifications

Would-be pharmacists who graduated after January 1, 2003, need to demonstrate that they have followed the curriculum of a bona fide five-year pharmacy degree. Graduates before that date only need to show they have a pharmacy degree with a four-year curriculum.

Application Form

If you want to take the FPGEE, you must first register with the NABP for the FPGEC and submit a full application form. You will only be able to take the FPGEE if the NABP accepts your application.

Documentation

The NABP will only consider you if you submit a completed application form along with the appropriate fees (a first-time application costs $800, $600 of which is for the examination and $200 is for the document evaluation). Supply all the supporting documentation, such as photographs and degree transcript, that the NABP asks you to include with your application.