NAPLEX

Overview

The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) is run by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). It tests general pharmacy practice knowledge and is one of the steps toward a pharmacist licence in the United States. State boards of pharmacy decide who is licensed, so the exam alone does not grant a licence.

Who can apply

The exam is taken by recent graduates of colleges of pharmacy, shortly after they receive their degree. Foreign-educated pharmacists can also sit it once they hold certification from the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC).

Each state board sets its own requirements, so check the board in the state where you want to be licensed before applying.

Exam pattern

The NAPLEX is a computer-based exam of 225 questions, lasting 6 hours, delivered as a fixed form. The NABP content outline bases its domain weights on 200 scored questions.

The outline in force applies to all exams from May 1, 2025.

Syllabus

Each domain is split into subdomains in the content outline.

• Foundational Knowledge: pharmaceutical science (pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics), compounding, pharmaceutical calculations, drug development, research design and biostatistics, and using drug information resources.

• Medication Use Process: interpreting prescriptions and medication orders, therapeutic substitutions, immunization services, and handling, storage and disposal of medications.

• Person-Centered Assessment and Treatment Planning: medication and allergy histories, health screenings and assessments, and patient conditions including appropriateness of therapy, interactions, errors, adverse reactions, overdoses and adherence.

The two smaller domains, Professional Practice and Pharmacy Management and Leadership, make up the remaining 10% of scored questions. Read the full outline on the NABP site for the detailed topic list.

Marking and results

For jurisdictions that use NABP's online system, pass or fail results are posted in your NABP e-Profile within 14 business days of the exam. California, Guam, Illinois, Minnesota, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands send results through their own boards instead.

NABP says candidates who fail receive a performance report showing how they did in each competency area. The pages read do not state a passing score or scoring scale.

Fees

The application fee varies by jurisdiction. As listed by NABP in 2026, for 15 jurisdictions (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin), there is an additional $85 fee during the application process. Check the application bulletin for the current amounts.

Sending your score to another jurisdiction costs $105 per jurisdiction (2026).

How to apply

1. Read the application bulletin and check your state board's requirements.

2. Apply for exam eligibility through your NABP e-Profile.

3. Have your official pharmacy school transcript sent.

4. Request testing accommodations under the ADA if you need them.

5. Once eligibility is approved, purchase the exam.

6. Schedule your appointment with Pearson using the Authorization to Test (ATT) email.

On test day, bring one valid government-issued photo ID whose printed name exactly matches the name on your ATT letter and e-Profile. Expired ID is not accepted. NABP asks candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes early.

After the exam

You can add score transfers to other jurisdictions through the Exam Services section of your e-Profile. Requests are accepted up to 89 days after you sit the exam, and NABP advises buying them early. Transfers let you move ahead with licensure in more than one jurisdiction as soon as you pass.