Pharmacist License by Reciprocity
(License Transfer)
Eligibility Requirements
An applicant for licensure by reciprocity (license transfer) shall:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Have obtained ONE of the following:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy or Pharm.D Degree from a Board Approved ACPE Accredited College; OR
- Full Certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) if you have graduated from a college of pharmacy program located outside the US.
- Have possessed at the time of current or initial licensing as a Pharmacist, other qualifications necessary to have been eligible for licensing at that time in this state;
- Provide proof of current or initial licensing by examination
- Provide proof that the initial licensing by examination (or another other licenses granted to the applicant) by any other state have not been suspended, revoked, canceled, surrendered, or otherwise restricted for any reason
- Taken and received a passing score on the:
Application Process - Overview
Step One: The applicant applies with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP)
The applicant must apply with TSBP for licensure by reciprocity by submitting the appropriate application and fee using the Online Licensing System.
Step Two: The applicant registers with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
The applicant must register with the NABP for Licensure Transfer and to take the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). The applicant will not be authorized to take the exam(s) until TSBP has approved the applicant and NABP/Testing Center provides the Authorization to Test (ATT).
Step Three: The applicant may attach the Supplemental Documentation to TSBP online application.
- Copy of an official identification containing a photograph and signature (i.e., driver’s license or state ID card)
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Copy of Birth Certificate, Permanent Resident Card, Naturalization Papers, or US Passport
- Copy of the FPGEC Certification – required for any applicant who graduated from a college whose degree program is not accredited by the ACPE.
While completing the online application with TSBP, the applicant may attach the following items to License by Reciprocity application:
NOTE: If any of the above documents list a different name, or the application lists a different name, the applicant must submit a legal document of a court ordered name change. Examples of such legal documents are: marriage certificate or divorce decree.
If you are not able to attach the supplemental documents to your online application, please mail with a copy of the first page of the application summary to:
ATTN: Licensing Specialist
Texas State Board of Pharmacy
1801 Congress Avenue
Suite 13.100
Austin, TX 78701
After you complete your online application, you will receive and automated email with the link and service code to complete the fingerprinting. Make sure to complete the Fingerprint Session as soon as possible if you have not been fingerprinted for another TSBP application.
Further instructions to: Schedule and complete the fingerprint session with IdentoGO
Step Four: Application and Supplemental Documentation is reviewed by TSBP
Allow at least 8 weeks for the application and supplemental documentation to be reviewed by TSBP. If there are any deficiencies in the application, the applicant will be notified in writing via email.
Additionally, if the applicant has something that will show on a criminal history background check, then the applicant and results from the background check must be reviewed by an in-house Enforcement Officer. This review process can take up to several months.
If it has been longer than 90 days, and you are certain that the application file is complete of all the above requirements, you may call 512-305-8070 and request a status of the Enforcement review.
Step Five: Applicant receives Authorization to Test (ATT)
Once the applicant is determined eligible, TSBP will notify NABP that the applicant has met the eligibility requirements. NABP will email the applicant that they may purchase the exam.
Once the applicant has purchased the exam, they will receive the ATT from the testing center and will then be allowed to schedule the MPJE.
Step Six: Applicant successfully takes and passes the MPJE
Once a week, NABP will provide TSBP with applicants who have received passing scores. Pharmacist licenses are issued in a group once a week, generally on Fridays. Once an applicant is licensed, their license will appear on the license verification search within 24 hours.
If an applicant believes they should be licensed, but cannot find it online, they should check again the following Friday.
New pharmacists will receive a letter from TSBP confirming they are licensed within three weeks.
Exam scores may be viewed through NABP. If an applicant failed the MPJE, TSBP will email a retake packet within 3 weeks of receiving exam results from NABP.
Step Seven: Renew Initial Pharmacist License
In accordance with Board rule 283.9, once an applicant for a pharmacist license has successfully completed all requirements for licensure, a license will be issued with a 30-day expiration date. The first renewal fee must be paid within the first 30 days of licensure.
For more information, see FAQs for new Texas pharmacists.
