Quebec

L’Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ)

Training and Education Equivalency

In Quebec, the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ) will evaluate the candidate’s educational transcripts, including the course descriptions and professional certifications. The OPQ will determine whether the candidate’s education and training meet the Quebec requirements. They may decide that the candidate needs additional training to qualify for a licence. The process is different for candidates from France.

Candidates who wish to practise pharmacy in Quebec must register to become a member of the OPQ. They will have to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge, including French language fluency.

It is important to note that the OPQ has a different licensure process than the other Canadian provinces. OPQ does not require enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada (Gateway). Enrolment in the Gateway is only required if the candidate chooses to obtain the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (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. Candidates are advised to note that the process by OPQ is independent of, and prevails over, the PEBC certification process.

OPQ’s education evaluation processes will differ depending on whether the candidate is a graduate from France or a graduate from another country.

Pharmacy Graduates from France

The province of Quebec has signed an agreement with France for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the two jurisdictions.

Graduates from France will not register with the Gateway at this time, but should contact OPQ directly:

Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec
Direction – registrariat
301-266 Notre-Dame Ouest
Montréal (Quebec)  H2Y 1T6

514-284-9588

registrariat@opq.org

Pharmacy Graduates from Countries Other than France

International pharmacy graduates (IPGs) who want to practise in the province of Quebec may enrol in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada if necessary. 

After enrolling, they will need to submit the required information for an assessment of their education and training.

Candidates must send their application form to the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec with the required documents as listed below.

1. Recent, passport-sized photo with a signature on the back
2. Identification (birth certificate or proof of citizenship)
3. University transcript including course descriptions and number of credits
4. Certified copy of pharmacy diploma
5. Proof of successful completion of practical training
6. Proof of relevant continuing education activities
7. Description and proof of any previous work experience
8. Proof of eligibility to be a pharmacist in another jurisdiction
9. Letter of recommendation from one’s pharmacy regulatory authority
10. List of pertinent publications
11. OPQ may also accept proof of successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating Examination and Qualifying Examination to demonstrate partial educational equivalency.

All documents in languages other than French or English must be translated into French.

When OPQ processes the candidate’s documents, the Comité de l’admission à la pratique (CAP) will evaluate them and inform the candidate of its decision in writing. CAP evaluates applications three times a year: in May, October and December.

What if the Candidate’s Qualifications are not Equivalent?

The committee may decide that the candidate’s qualifications are not equivalent to those required to practise in Quebec. If so, the candidate will need to complete a full pharmacy program at one of the universities in Quebec.

However, the committee may decide that some of the candidate’s training is equivalent. If that happens, the committee will tell the candidate about the courses, curriculum or examinations that need to be taken to be awarded full equivalence. CAP will also advise the candidate on practical experience that may be required. A bridging program may be candidates’ best choice to help them meet the standards required for licensure.

For more information, candidates are invited to contact OPQ’s Registrariat at registrariat@opq.org.

Language Requirements

In addition to meeting the OPQ’s educational requirements, candidates will be expected to meet Quebec’s French language qualifications.

Licensure Requirements

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 they conduct their own evaluation for education and training equivalency. Enrolment in the Gateway is only required if the candidate chooses to obtain the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (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. Candidates are advised to note that the process by OPQ is independent of, and prevails over, the PEBC certification process.

Requirement

Time (Months)

Cost

Enrolment in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

$380

More details

Candidates who wish to obtain the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Certificate of Qualification must enrol in Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada and designate the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ). It is NOT mandatory to obtain the PEBC Certificate of Qualification for licensure in Quebec. 

The National ID number is a common identifier used by all organizations involved in the candidate’s process to licensure. The profile will be a central database for documents and evaluation results. This information can only be viewed by the candidate, PEBC, the pharmacy regulatory authority (once the candidate applies to them) and NAPRA administrators as appropriate. 

PEBC Document Evaluation (Only mandatory if pursuing the PEBC Certificate of Qualification)

2

$705

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 (Only mandatory if pursuing the PEBC Certificate of Qualification)

4

$900*

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 (Only mandatory if pursuing the PEBC Certificate of Qualification)

4.5

MCQ = $845*

OSCE = $1,895*

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. The PEBC Certificate of Qualification is awarded when both parts of the Qualifying Examination are completed. This can be obtained at any time prior to applying for the education and training assessment conducted by the admissions committee. 

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.

Application to OPQ

$714.32

More details

Candidates wishing to be licensed in Quebec may submit the application to get their education and training assessed by the admissions committee. 

Candidates must submit :

• The application for registration as a pharmacy student and fee ($152.28); and,
• The Fee for Equivalency Assessment ($562.07).

Candidates who obtained the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Certificate of Qualification must also apply to OPQ from their profile on Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.

The admissions committee in the province of Quebec (Comité de l’admission à la pratique – CAP) conducts a file evaluation.

• CAP determines whether the candidate’s education is equivalent, partially equivalent or not equivalent. If the education is partially equivalent, CAP will tell the candidate the courses and practical experience that must be completed to obtain the equivalency in education and training.
• If the education is not equivalent, the candidate must complete a full pharmacy program at the Université de Montréal or Université Laval.
• If a candidate is not satisfied with CAP’s decision with respect to the education and training equivalency, a request may be made to OPQ’s review committee for an additional review of the education and training.
• Successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating Examination ($860) and/or Qualifying Examination ($2620) may be used to demonstrate partial equivalency of education and training.

Bridging Program

More details

Candidates who received their results from the Education and Training Equivalency Assessment from OPQ may be required to complete a bridging program at the Université de Montréal if they have achieved “partial equivalence.” (Estimated cost between $8,000 and $10,000)
 
OPQ will provide the candidate with further details.
 
The full pharmacy program at Université de Montréal or Université Laval is required for candidates whose education is not equivalent.

Jurisprudence Course

$680

More details

Candidates who received their results from the Education and Training Equivalency Assessment from OPQ are required to successfully complete the jurisprudence course “Pharmacie: loi et systèmes de soins” (or a course deemed equivalent by OPQ) ($680).
 
The course is offered at the Université de Montréal.

Structured Practical Training

4

More details

Candidates who completed the Jurisprudence Course offered at the Université de Montréal are eligible to apply to start their structured practical training of 600 hours.

More details are available on the OPQ website (in French only).

French Language Proficiency Requirement

More details

Language proficiency is a requirement for licensure in all provinces in Canada.

To prove that they meet the standard for fluency in French, candidates must have one of the following:

• Completed no fewer than three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in French
• Successfully completed the fourth- or fifth-year secondary-level examinations in French as the first language
• Passed a secondary school certificate in Quebec, from or after the school year 1985-86
• A certificate issued by the Office québécois de la langue française, or a certificate defined as equivalent by the Quebec government

More details are available on the OPQ website (in French only).

Licensure / Registration

$1,549.51

More details

Candidates who have completed all the licensure requirements are eligible to apply for a license with the Order des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ).

The candidate must :

• Submit application for initial registration ($345.51)
• Submit annual fee for Pharmacist Licence (approx. $1,204 per year; candidates are advised to consult OPQ)
• Obtain the minimum liability insurance

More details are available on the OPQ website (in French only).
 
After successful completion of all of these requirements, the candidate will be granted a licence to practise pharmacy in the province of Quebec.

TOTAL**

14.5

$7,668.83

* 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.

The Microcrédit Montréal loan program offers financial support for internationally trained professionals who must update their skills or apply for training equivalency as part of an admission process with a professional order.