Ontario - Pharmacists' Gateway Canada

Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP)

Licensure Requirements

Requirement

Time (Months)

Cost

Enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

$380

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Candidates are asked to enrol in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada and designate the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).

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

$705

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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

$900*

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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 = $845*

OSCE = $1,895*

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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 wishing to be licensed in Ontario must successfully pass both parts of the Qualifying Examination. This requirement can be met at any time prior to applying for licensure with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).

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 or French Language Proficiency Requirement

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

English or French language proficiency must be demonstrated prior to applying to the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP). The results must be current within two (2) years. Candidates should note that tests accepted and cut scores will be assessed under the requirements of NAPRA’s 2014 language proficiency policy. More details on OCP’s language proficiency requirements and the cut scores for other language tests are available on the OCP website.

Language test results from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can be submitted by email at gatewayinfo@napra.ca. 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 at gatewayinfo@napra.ca. 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

$14,180

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Candidates who have successfully completed the PEBC Evaluating Examination and met the language proficiency requirement are eligible to apply for the International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) program offered at the University of Toronto.

Completion of the International Pharmacy Graduate Program (Bridging Program) offered by the University of Toronto is mandatory. More details on the Bridging Program are available on the International Pharmacy Graduate Program website.

Candidates who have successfully passed both parts of the PEBC Qualifying Examination on the first attempt are not required to complete the Bridging Program.

Application to OCP

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Candidates who have successfully completed the PEBC Evaluating Examination and met the English or French language proficiency requirement are eligible to apply to the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).

Candidates must complete the following step:

Apply through their profile on Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada; OCP will assign an OCP number and create an account, a process which takes 4 to 6 weeks. Candidates may send additional supporting documentation for registration (i.e., evidence of identity) as they wait for their new OCP account. Candidates will be contacted by OCP with the next steps. More details are available on the OCP website and on the Passed PEBC Qualifying Exam on 1st Attempt page.

Candidates are also required to have and maintain professional liability insurance.

Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE)

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Candidates who are registered with OCP are eligible to apply for the Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE).

PACE will assess the candidate’s ability to demonstrate entry-to-practice competence in a practice setting. If practice performance gaps are identified, guidance will be offered to candidates to support appropriate individualized development (including learning resources and practice under the supervision of a coaching pharmacist in Ontario) prior to re-assessment. The practice-based registration requirement is met when a candidate demonstrates entry-to-practice competence to the validated standard.

More details on PACE are available on the OCP website.

Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism Exam

$145.40

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Candidates who are registered with OCP and have either successfully completed all required bridging education or successfully passed both parts of the Qualifying Examination on the first attempt are eligible to apply for the Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism Exam.

More details on the Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism Exam are available on the OCP website.

Licensure / Registration

$981.80

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Candidates who have completed all the licensure requirements are eligible to apply for a licence with the Ontario College of Pharmacy (OCP).

Candidates must complete and submit the application for registration as a pharmacist in Ontario and include:

• Application fee of $109.35
• Annual registration fee of $872.45 (The annual registration fee is pro-rated to $436.25 from September 1 to March 9.)
• Proof of valid professional liability insurance

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

* 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.