3.2 Pharmacist Licensure, Reciprocity & Continuing Education (CE)

Pharmacist Licensure, Reciprocity & Continuing Education (CE)

Quick Answer: Becoming a licensed pharmacist in Georgia requires graduation from an approved pharmacy school, completion of intern hours, and passing both the NAPLEX and GA MPJE. Licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years and require 30 hours of Continuing Education (CE) for renewal. Pharmacists licensed in other states can transfer their license via reciprocity by passing the GA MPJE.

Navigating the licensure process and maintaining active status is a primary responsibility for any practicing pharmacist. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy strictly regulates who can practice and ensures that licensed professionals maintain their competency through mandatory continuing education.

1. Initial Licensure by Examination

To become a licensed pharmacist in Georgia by examination, a candidate must meet a comprehensive set of educational and practical requirements.

Qualifications

An applicant must:

• Be of good moral character.
• Have graduated and received a professional degree from a college or school of pharmacy approved by the Board (typically an ACPE-accredited institution).
• Have completed the required number of pharmacy internship hours (1,500 hours in Georgia).
• Be at least 18 years of age.

Required Examinations

Candidates must pass two major examinations:

1. NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination): Tests clinical knowledge and competence to practice pharmacy.
2. Georgia MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination): Tests knowledge of federal and Georgia-specific pharmacy laws and regulations.

Both exams require a minimum passing score of 75. If a candidate fails either exam, they must wait a specified period before retaking it and must reapply and pay the associated fees. If a candidate fails the exam three times, they may not sit for the exam again without receiving special permission from the Board.

2. Licensure by Reciprocity (License Transfer)

Pharmacists who are already licensed and in good standing in another state can obtain a Georgia license without having to retake the NAPLEX. This process is known as license transfer or reciprocity.

Requirements for Reciprocity

To transfer a license to Georgia, the applicant must:

• Submit an application for license transfer through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
• Hold a license in a state that grants reciprocal privileges to Georgia pharmacists.
• Be in good standing with the Board of Pharmacy in all states where they hold a license.
• Pass the Georgia MPJE with a score of 75 or higher.
• Complete a criminal background check.

It is important to note that a pharmacist cannot transfer a license that was itself obtained by reciprocity; the transfer must be based on a license obtained by examination.

3. License Renewal

Once obtained, a pharmacist's license must be kept active to practice legally.

Renewal Timeline

In Georgia, pharmacist licenses are renewed biennially (every two years). All pharmacist licenses expire on December 31 of even-numbered years (e.g., 2024, 2026, 2028).

Late Renewal and Reinstatement

If a pharmacist fails to renew their license by the deadline, the license is administratively revoked. Practicing pharmacy with a lapsed or administratively revoked license is a violation of state law and subject to severe disciplinary action.

To regain active status, the pharmacist must apply for reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Board. The process typically requires paying a reinstatement fee, providing proof of completed CE, and possibly taking additional coursework or exams if the license has been lapsed for an extended period.

4. Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

To ensure pharmacists stay current with medical advancements and regulatory changes, the Board mandates Continuing Education (CE) for license renewal.

Standard CE Requirement

Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE during each two-year renewal period.

• At least 15 of these hours must be completed in the calendar year prior to the renewal year, though the Board often looks at the total 30 hours over the biennium.
• CE must be approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) or explicitly approved by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy.
• Georgia does not currently have a strict state-mandated requirement for a specific number of "live" CE hours for general renewal, unlike some other states, but pharmacists must ensure their CE providers are ACPE accredited.

Requirements for Newly Licensed Pharmacists

The CE requirement is modified for pharmacists who are newly licensed during the biennium:

• If licensed during the first six months of the biennium (January to June of the odd year): Must complete the full 30 hours.
• If licensed during the following 12 months (July of the odd year to June of the even year): Must complete 15 hours.
• If licensed during the last six months of the biennium (July to December of the even year): Exempt from CE requirements for that first renewal period.

Record Keeping

Pharmacists must maintain certificates of attendance or completion for all CE hours for a minimum of two years following the renewal period in which they were used. The Board conducts random audits; if selected, a pharmacist must produce documentation proving they completed the required CE. Utilizing the NABP CPE Monitor profile is the standard method for tracking ACPE-accredited courses.

5. Inactive Status

A pharmacist who is currently licensed in Georgia but not practicing pharmacy within the state may apply to have their license placed on "inactive" status.

• While on inactive status, the pharmacist is exempt from the CE requirements.
• An individual with an inactive license cannot practice pharmacy in Georgia.
• To reactivate the license, the pharmacist must apply to the Board, pay a fee, and provide proof of having completed the required amount of CE (typically equivalent to what would have been required had the license remained active, often up to a maximum cap, such as 30 hours).