Alberta

Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP)

Licensure Requirements

Requirement

Time (Months)

Cost

Enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

$375

More details

Candidates are asked to enrol in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada and designate the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP). 
Enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada (the Gateway) is a mandatory first step in the process to become a licensed pharmacist in Canada except in the province of Quebec.  It provides a national ID number, which is required to apply to the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) for Document Evaluation and creates a profile where candidates can track their progress using a licensure model and becomes a document repository where the pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) can access information uploaded by PEBC and the candidates’ language test report. International pharmacy graduates wishing to start the enrolment process are invited to visit the candidate portal. This information can only be viewed by the candidate, PEBC, the PRA (once the candidate applies to them) and NAPRA administrators as appropriate.

PEBC Document Evaluation

2

$695

More details

After enrolling in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada and receiving a national ID number, international pharmacy graduates (IPGs) must register directly with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) to have their documents evaluated. Timing: It will take up to eight weeks (two months) for PEBC to complete the Document Evaluation from the date all required documentation has been received. PEBC has specific instructions for the submission of each required document. To avoid delays in starting the Document Evaluation, IPGs should familiarize themselves with the requirements. More details regarding the submission of each document can be found on the PEBC website.

PEBC Evaluating Examination

4

$890*

More details

Candidates whose documents are favourably evaluated by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) are eligible to take the PEBC Evaluating Examination. The examination is offered twice a year: once in the winter and once in the summer. Timing: The application deadline is typically four months before the examination date. PEBC will post the examination results three weeks after the examination date. Due to the timing of the examination, each additional attempt to pass this examination will add approximately six months to the licensure process. More details on the application process are available on the PEBC website.

PEBC Qualifying Examination

4.5

MCQ =
$835*

OSCE =
$1,875*

More details

Candidates who successfully pass the PEBC Evaluating Examination are eligible to apply for the PEBC Qualifying Examination Part I & II. The examinations are offered twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. Candidates must pass the PEBC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) before applying to the Alberta College of Pharmacy. PEBC Qualifying Examination results must be current, within 3 years, at the time of application to be a provisional pharmacist (intern).

Timing: The application deadline is typically four to five months before the examination date. The PEBC will post the examination results six weeks after the examination date. Due to the timing of the examination, each additional attempt to pass this examination will add approximately six months to the licensure process.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

More details

Language proficiency is a requirement for licensure in all provinces in Canada.
Not a requirement for U.S. graduates.

English language proficiency may be completed at any time prior to applying to the Alberta College of Pharmacy for a provisional licence (intern). The results must be current within two (2) years.
Language test results from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be submitted by email. The Test Report Form (TRF) number will be used to confirm the validity of the language test results. Language test results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL-iBT) can be submitted by email. Candidates are asked to ensure that the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) is the Destination Institution (DI). It is required to confirm the validity of a language test results. More details on this requirement are available on the Language Requirements page. Fees and timing will differ from one language test provider to another.

Bridging Program

10

$13,600

More details

Candidates who have passed the PEBC Evaluating Examination and have met the language proficiency requirements are eligible to apply to the CCPP program offered by the University of Alberta.

Successful completion of the CCPP program is a mandatory step in the licensure process in Alberta. Regardless of the pathway, completion of the CCPP program is required prior to starting Level 3 of the Structured Practical Training program.

Timing: The CCPP program is a 10-month program starting September and ending in June. The first two terms (Fall and Winter) are taken online followed by a third term (Spring) which includes a two-week session which must be taken on campus.

Application to ACP

$630

More details

Candidates who meet the criteria below are eligible to apply to the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP):

• Passed the PEBC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ),
• Met the English language proficiency requirements,
• Enrolled in the Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CCPP) program,
***Questions about the CCPP program should be directed to [email protected]. Based on personal circumstances, candidates may wish to successfully complete the CCPP program prior to registering as a provisional pharmacist

And,

• Secured an experienced preceptor for level one of the Structured Practical Training (SPT) program and have the preceptor complete the experienced preceptor declaration form. Candidates who have yet to complete the CCPP program are required to enroll in the next available fall intake (September) of the CCPP program once registered as a provisional pharmacist. An experienced preceptor is not required for candidates that have successfully completed the CCPP program.

Candidates must complete these two steps when applying to ACP:
1. Apply to PRA through their profile on Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada; and,
2. Submit the application form to be a provisional pharmacist (intern) to ACP.

Structured Practical Training

6

More details

Candidates registered as provisional pharmacist (intern) are eligible to start their internship. Successful completion of 1,000 hours or more of structured practical training (SPT) will be required. SPT is divided into three (3) levels:

• Level 1 – minimum 450 hours
• Level 2 – minimum 450 hours
• Level 3 – minimum 100 hours

Candidates who have not completed the CCPP program must secure an experienced preceptor for Level 1 and Level 2 of the Structured Practical Training (SPT) program and submit an experienced preceptor declaration form completed by the preceptor. An experienced preceptor is a pharmacist who:
• Meets the SPT rules for an approved preceptor, and
• Precepted at least two pharmacy students in their final year of a Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited Canadian pharmacy program within the last three years.

An experienced preceptor is not required if the provisional pharmacist has successfully completed the CCPP program prior to beginning Level 1 or Level 2 of the SPT program.

A provisional pharmacist must complete the CCPP program prior to beginning Level 3 of the SPT program.

Jurisprudence Examination

More details

Candidates registered as provisional pharmacist (intern) are eligible take the Jurisprudence Examination.
• Candidates must successfully complete the ACP Jurisprudence Learning Module prior to starting level 1 of the structured practical training.
• Candidates must successfully complete the Ethics & Jurisprudence exam prior to starting level 2 of the structured practical training.
• The fee for the first attempt of the Jurisprudence examination is included in the initial application fee. The cost for each additional attempt is $175.

Licensure / Registration

$944 per year

More details

Candidates who have completed all the licensure requirement may apply for a licence with the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP).

Candidates are asked to complete and submit the application for registration as a pharmacist including:

• Pharmacist practice annual permit fee;
• Evidence of minimum professional liability insurance (minimum of 2 million dollars).

After successful completion of all these requirements, candidates will be granted a licence to practise pharmacy in the province of Alberta.

TOTAL**

26.5

$19,844

* Fee is per attempt. Up to four attempts are permitted.
** Total may differ, depending on the number of attempts made to pass the PEBC Evaluation Examination and/or the PEBC Qualifying Examinations.

Financial Information

International pharmacy graduates (IPGs) who want to work as a pharmacist in Canada should be aware of the various fees and costs for each stage of the licensure process. Fees are charged for such things as enrolment in the Gateway, Document Evaluation, examinations, registration for internships and other components.

If candidates need to take additional training and education to qualify for a Canadian licence, they will also need to plan and budget for those additional costs.

Costs of Licensure

IPGs often underestimate the costs associated with obtaining a licence to practise in Canada. They will need to submit fees to separate organizations at different times throughout the process, such as when enrolling in the Gateway, registering to write exams and applying for their final licence.

Costs will differ for each province and territory. The specific fees charged in each Canadian province or  territory are presented on their respective pages under the menu item “How to Apply”.

Candidates should also think about the costs of living in Canada while they progress through the licensure process.

Other Extra Costs

The process to licensure can incur additional unexpected costs that are important to keep in mind.

• Additional education: Candidates may choose to complete additional training to improve their knowledge and skills in pharmacy and language. This can be in the form of registering for a course, hiring a tutor, or purchasing online tools or books.
• Travel costs to examination centres: Candidates living outside of major Canadian cities must account for travel costs when scheduling an examination. This may include accommodations (i.e., hotel).
• Immigration: Immigration is an expensive process. Further details are available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.
• Living costs: The cost of living will vary across Canada.

Financing Resources

Some financing options may also be available for candidates wishing to take a Bridging Program, in the form of short-term loans from a Canadian banking institution such as Scotiabank or RBC Royal Bank.

The Windmill Microlending provides microloans to immigrants to help them pay for the costs of obtaining the licensing or training they require to work in their field in Canada.