There is a state board of pharmacy responsible for regulating the practice and administration of pharmaceutical services and businesses in each state. Every pharmacy in the state, whether private, corporate, mail order or part of a hospital or nursing facility, is subject to these state pharmacy regulations.

Pharmacists and pharmacy administrators are required to operate according to the rules determined by the state pharmaceutical boards both for their safety and the safety of clients and patients. Pharmacy boards routinely review and audit pharmacies for regulations checks. It's important to be aware of and follow state boards of pharmacy laws and regulations by:

1. Preparing for examinations by your state pharmacy licensing board.

2. Knowing the regulations and rules for your facility according to the state boards for pharmacies.

3. Familiarizing yourself with pharmacy boards by state and learning the differences in rules and regulations.

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Follow all rules governed by state pharmaceutical boards

State pharmaceutical boards have rules and regulations that govern pharmacy employees, training required for pharmacy employment, medication dispensing, and safe storage, dispensing and record keeping of medications including controlled substances. It's important as a pharmacist or pharmacy administrator to operate in accordance with all regulations set by state boards of pharmacy.

I recommend: The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy provides pharmacist newsletters to update you about changes to state boards of pharmacy laws and regulations, along with links and resources to renew your license. The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties gives you information about being certified in specialty pharmacy areas according to state laws.

Know the state pharmacy boards regulations and laws for your state

Each state board of pharmacy dictates rules and regulations for every pharmaceutical business operating within that state, according to the services offered. Specialty certifications may be required when dispensing items like durable medical equipment or chemotherapy drugs, so it's important to be aware of your state boards of pharmacy laws and regulations.

I recommend: The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requires pharmacists to register their business with the controlled substances database that tracks all pharmacies that dispense narcotics and controlled substances according to state pharmacy boards laws. Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies provides applications for licensing pharmacies and employees as well as links to state pharmacy board news concerning dispensing of certian types of medication.

Operate your pharmacy in accordance with state board of pharmacy laws and regulations

As a pharmacist or pharmacy administrator, you must operate your pharmacy following pharmacy rules and regulations determined by your state board of pharmacy. These laws govern all aspects of pharmacy business. Know all state pharmaceutical boards of pharmacy laws and regulations that apply to your business.

I recommend: The Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services provides professional licensure information for pharmacies and news updates concerning drug laws and regulations. Download the Idaho Pharmacy Laws and Rules provided by the Idaho Board of Pharmacy.

If you’re looking to hire a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician for your business, you may be wondering about the state boards for pharmacies. Each state has specific requirements for the licensing of pharmacists, and neither a pharmacist or pharmacy technician can work without a license.

Before you hire someone to work as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, you must find out if the applicant has a license. If an applicant doesn't have a license from the state board of pharmacies, you may have to help him pass any certification exams in order to get a license. It's also helpfule to know about state pharmacy regulations so you can assess your employees. Here are the things you're most concerned about regarding the state boards of pharmacy.

1. Finding out whether a potential employee has gone through a pharmacy licensing board

2. Knowing how to help a pharmacist applicant get a license

3. Providing help for a pharmacy technician seeking a license

Action Steps
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Look up a pharmacy license and state pharmacy regulations

If you employ a pharmacist, you'll need to know more about your state's pharmacy regulations and laws so you can assess your employee. And if you're ready to hire a pharmacist, you need to find out if he has a license to work in your state.

I recommend: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) allows you to download a free demo of NABPLAW, which lists each state’s pharmacy laws and regulations. Just click on NABP LAW from the left-hand menu. You can also find a list of websites for pharmacy boards by state. To look up whether your pharmacist has a license for the state you work in, go to Health Guide USA.

Help a potential employee get licensed by your state's pharmacy licensing board

Each state has specific requirements for the licensing of pharmacists. Some states require a certain number of hours as an intern, while others require the passing of various tests such as the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) or the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

I recommend: Help potential employees pass the NAPLEX test with Test Prep Review, where you can get sample NAPLEX questions. You can also purchase a Guide to Federal Pharmacy Law, 5th Edition at Apothecary Press. This book can assist candidates preparing for pharmacy law examinations in all states.

Assist your pharmacy technician in getting licensed by a pharmacy licensing board

Just like pharmacists, pharmacy technicians must also have a license from the state board of pharmacy for the state they work in. And just like for pharmacists, requirements vary, but many states require the passing of a test such as Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT). If your state doesn't require the passing of the tests, you may want your employees certified for liability reasons.

I recommend: For a practice test for the PTCE, go to Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. If you're looking for a practice test for the ExCPT, try the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If a potential employee has just moved from another state, he will have to get re-licensed for the current state and go through the state pharmaceutical boards.

State boards of pharmacy enforce pharmacy rules and regulations that govern all aspects of operating pharmacies. Retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and mail order facilities are all subject to laws set by their state board of pharmacy. These rules govern dispensing medication, handling of controlled substances, insurance coding and billing, and other pharmacy operations.

State boards of pharmacies make changes to laws and regulations in response to additions to the drug market, passage of new federal laws, and other changes in the pharmacy world. It's important for operating pharmacists and pharmacy managers to stay informed about news and issues pertaining to their state pharmaceutical boards. Get regular updates in state boards of pharmacies news and trends, including:

1. Knowing about law changes of pharmacy boards by state.

2. Learning about trends being tracked by your board of pharmacy.

3. Being informed about changes to state pharmacy regulations.

Action Steps
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Find out about law changes made by your state board of pharmacy

The state regulatory board for pharmaceuticals periodically makes changes to pharmacy laws and regulations in response to industry issues or safety concerns. It's important for pharmacists and pharmacy managers to be informed about changes made by the state board of pharmacy that affects their facility. Stay knowledgeable about state boards of pharmacy news and trends.

I recommend: Download the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy newsletter, published regularly to keep pharmacists up to date. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy provides regular updates about pharmacy news and trends. Read about national state boards of pharmacy news and sign up for your state board newsletter.

Stay informed about board of pharmacy information

The state board of pharmaceuticals also tracks trends in drug dispensing and safety, insurance billing and coding trends and the pharmaceutical industry. These trends will affect the way you stock your pharmacy shelves and how you are able to service your patients. Stay informed about important trends tracked by state pharmaceutical boards.

I recommend: Sign up to have news alerts from the Iowa State Board of Pharmacy delivered regularly to your email inbox. Download the quarterly newsletters published by the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy to get local and national pharmacy industry news and trends information.

Get news about changes made by your pharmacy licensing board

Your state pharmacy licensing board periodically updates or changes laws and restrictions pertaining to pharmacy licensing procedure. These changes will affect your licensure and that of your pharmacy and any interns or technicians that are employed by you, so it's important to stay updated about news and changes made by state boards for pharmacies.

I recommend: The South Carolina Board of Pharmacy offers news and updates on the pharmacy licensing process. The Texas State Board of Pharmacy regularly updates its website with state board of pharmacy news and trends information, including news on pharmacy licensing requirements.

It is up to each state to form a State Board of Pharmacy. This board sets rules and regulations for entering and participating in the field of pharmacy. While each state may have different rules and requirements, most states have key terms in common. Key terms deal with proper conduct, various pharmaceutical positions, required exams, and types of licenses. Some of these terms include: pharmacists in charge, pharmacist misconduct, Naplex exam, reciprocal licensure, and MPJE. For some preliminary information regarding state boards of pharmacy, familiarize yourself with these state boards of pharmacy key terms.

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Pharmacist in charge

The pharmacist in charge is a pharmacist at the pharmacy location that the state board of pharmacy holds responsible for the daily operation of the pharmacy. Each state may have specific requirements and regulations for the pharmacists in charge.

I recommend: Read about pharmacists in charge at the website for the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.

Pharmacist misconduct

One duty of the state board of pharmacy is to take complaints of pharmacist misconduct. Pharmacist misconduct is an action that is carried out by a pharmacist which is considered inappropriate. The boards review these allegations of misconduct once a consumer files a complaint.

I recommend: View examples of pharmacist misconduct actions from the California Board of Pharmacy.

Pharmacist intern

A pharmacist intern is a person training to be a pharmacist in an internship program that is approved by the state board of pharmacy.

I recommend: View number 22 of the Texas Administrative Code to learn more about a pharmacist intern.

Naplex Exam

The Naplex (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) Exams is an exam that each state board of pharmacy requires except California. The test examines the knowledge of potential pharmacists regarding pharmacy and medical issues.

I recommend: Read more about the Naplex Exam from Naplex Tips.

Reciprocal licensure

A reciprocal licensure is a pharmacist license given in one state that is based on a pharmacist license earned in a different state. In most cases a fee accompanies the license.

I recommend: Discover more about reciprocal licensure from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy.

MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurispredence Examination)

The MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurispredence Examination) is an exam that accompanies the pharmacist license. This is a drug law exam that most state boards of pharmacy require. The exam tests the prospective pharmacists on the pharmacy laws.

I recommend: Pharmacist offers more information about the MPJE.