Colorado Pharmacist Licensure Process

Becoming a licensed pharmacist in Colorado requires completing specific educational requirements, passing examinations, and submitting an application to the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. This comprehensive guide outlines the steps you need to follow to obtain your pharmacist license in Colorado.

Educational Requirements

To be eligible for pharmacist licensure in Colorado, you must:

• Graduate from an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program
• Complete at least 1,500 hours of practical experience through your pharmacy program's experiential education requirements

Examination Requirements

Colorado requires candidates to pass the following examinations:

North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)

• The NAPLEX measures your knowledge of pharmacy practice
• You must pass with a score of 75 or higher
• Results are valid for one year from the date of the examination

Colorado State Law Examination (MPJE)

• The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) includes Colorado-specific questions
• Measures your knowledge of state pharmacy laws and regulations
• You must pass with a score of 75 or higher

Application Process

Once you have completed your education and examinations, follow these steps to apply for licensure:

1. Complete the pharmacist licensure application form available on the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy website
2. Submit the appropriate application fee (currently $134 as of 2024)
3. Provide official transcripts from your pharmacy school verifying graduation
4. Submit proof of passing NAPLEX and MPJE scores
5. Complete a criminal background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
6. Provide fingerprints for the background check
7. Submit verification of licensure from any other states where you hold or have held a pharmacy license

Timeline and Renewal

Processing times for pharmacist license applications in Colorado vary but typically take 4-6 weeks after all required documents are received. Once approved, your license will be valid until December 31 of even-numbered years.

License renewal requires:

• Completion of 24 hours of continuing education every two years
• At least 2 hours must be in pharmacy law
• Payment of the renewal fee

Licensure by Endorsement

If you are already licensed as a pharmacist in another state, you may apply for licensure by endorsement in Colorado. This process requires:

• Submission of the endorsement application and fee
• Verification of your current or most recent pharmacy license
• Proof that your original licensure required graduation from an accredited pharmacy program
• Proof of passing NAPLEX and MPJE (or equivalent exams)
• Completion of a jurisprudence examination covering Colorado pharmacy laws

Special Circumstances

Foreign Pharmacy Graduates

Graduates of foreign pharmacy schools must:

• Have their pharmacy credentials evaluated by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC)
• Pass the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE)
• Complete the same application process as domestic graduates

Limited License

Colorado offers a limited pharmacy license for:

• Residents in a pharmacy program who have not yet graduated
• International graduates working in research or academic settings
• Limited licenses restrict the scope of practice and are not full pharmacist licenses

Contact Information

For questions about the licensure process or to check the status of your application, contact the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy:

• Website: www.colorado.gov/dora/pharmacy
• Phone: (303) 894-7750
• Email: dora_pharmacy_board@state.co.us
• Mailing Address: 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202