After enrolling in the Gateway, candidates must register directly with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) to have their qualifications evaluated. Eligibility for the PEBC Qualifying Examination is based on having the qualifications successfully evaluated. For non-U.S. graduates, this includes PEBC Document Evaluation and the PEBC Evaluating Examination. For U.S. graduates there is a U.S. Document Evaluation only.
The schedule of fees involved in obtaining the PEBC Certificate of Qualification as well as the examination dates and application deadlines are available on the PEBC website.
Some of the information/documentation candidates provide to PEBC and the results of the PEBC evaluations and examinations will be added to their Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada profile by PEBC. This information will be available to the pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) to be used during the licensing process once the candidates apply to their designated PRA.
1. Document Evaluation
PEBC evaluates certain documents to ensure that the pharmacy degree is acceptable.
Important to note: The minimum requirement is a four-year undergraduate degree in pharmacy.
International pharmacy graduates are eligible to apply for the Evaluating Examination and U.S. graduates are eligible to apply for the Qualifying Examination once they have successfully completed Document Evaluation.
The Document Evaluation results are valid for five years from the date on the results letter. This means that international pharmacy graduates have five years to successfully complete the Evaluating Examination.
2. Evaluating Examination
The Evaluating Examination is a single day exam, 4.25 hours long, administered through a computer. The Evaluating Examination will assess the following subjects: biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice, and behavioural, social and administrative pharmacy sciences. Candidates are permitted three attempts at a PEBC examination. PEBC may consider a petition for a fourth and final attempt. Documentation confirming the completion of remediation must be submitted to PEBC to gain approval for a fourth attempt.
PEBC has a section on their website to help candidates prepare for the examination. This section includes the blueprint and syllabus of the examination, the examination design and style, and sample questions. It also includes a list of references and learning resources.
Once candidates pass the Evaluating Examination, they may apply for the Qualifying Examination (Parts I and II).
3. Qualifying Examination
The Qualifying Examination is the final step to achieving the PEBC Certificate of Qualification. The Qualifying Examination assesses candidates’ competence (knowledge, skills and abilities) to practise pharmacy safely and effectively in an “entry-level” pharmacist position. Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination indicates that candidates have met the required standard of competence at entry-to-practice.
The Qualifying Examination has two parts: Part I consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and is a single day, computer-based examination; and, Part II is an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which will evaluate candidates’ performance in a simulated practice environment. The OSCE must be completed in person.
Note: Both parts of the Qualifying Examination must be passed within three years of passing one part.
PEBC has a section on their website to help candidates prepare for the examination. This section includes the blueprint and syllabus of the examination, the examination design and style, and sample questions. It also includes a list of references and learning resources.
Part I—the MCQ Section
This first part of the Qualifying Examination is a computer-based examination. The questions assess the understanding and application of knowledge to problems, as well as the ability to make judgements and problem solve in situations relevant to pharmacy practice.
More information is available on the PEBC website.
Part II—the OSCE Section
This second part of the Qualifying Examination consists of a series of interactive and non-interactive “stations” simulating common and/or critical practical situations in pharmacy practice. The scenarios often include interactions with actors portraying a standardized patient, caregiver, parent or health professional. Each station may involve:
- gathering and interpreting information needed to identify and/or solve a patient’s drug-therapy problem;
- identifying and solving a practice problem which may involve the same patient;
- communicating effectively; and
- collaborating with other health professionals and/or caregivers in solving the problem.
PEBC does not award specific scores to candidates who take the Qualifying Examination. PEBC only indicates whether they have passed or failed. Candidates are permitted a maximum of three (3) attempts for each part of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination. PEBC may consider a petition for a fourth and final attempt. Documentation confirming the completion of remediation must be submitted to PEBC. Both parts of the Qualifying Examination must be passed within three years of passing one part. If candidates do not complete the process within this time period, they will be required to retake and pass the part that has already been completed. When they have passed both parts of the Qualifying Examination, they will receive their PEBC Certificate of Qualification. The PEBC Certificate of Qualification is required for licensure in most Canadian jurisdictions; however, it does not give the right to someone to practise pharmacy.
Candidates who have been unsuccessful in Part II (OSCE) need to pass Part I (MCQ) before re-attempting Part II (the OSCE).
Information for U.S. Graduates
Candidates from the United States who have graduated from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) are required to complete the U.S. Document Evaluation in order to be eligible to take the Pharmacists Qualifying Examination. Candidates are asked to refer to the PEBC website for the U.S. Document Evaluation application instructions. U.S. graduates are not required to complete the Pharmacists Evaluating Examination.
Information for Candidates Wishing to Be Licensed in Quebec
It is important to note that the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ) has a different licensure process than the other Canadian provinces. OPQ does not require enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada (Gateway) as it conducts its own evaluation for education and training equivalency. Enrolment in the Gateway is only required if the candidate chooses to obtain the PEBC Certificate of Qualification and include it as part of the evaluation for education and training equivalency. The PEBC Certificate of Qualification can be submitted to OPQ as part of the training and education equivalency application; however, it is not a requirement. It should be noted that the process by OPQ is independent of and prevails over the PEBC certification process.