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Becoming a pharmacist can lead to a rewarding, lifelong career that blends science, healthcare, and helping others. But it takes some work to get there. Let’s walk through what pharmacists do, how long schooling and licensure takes, and other tips for how to become a pharmacist.
What Does a Pharmacist Do?
Pharmacists do more than count pills and explain your prescriptions at the counter — they play a critical role in patient and community care. Pharmacists help ensure people get the correct medication, in the proper dosage, at the optimal time. They also monitor potential interactions, side effects, and the overall effectiveness of treatment.
As a pharmacist, and depending on if you specialize in a specific area, your daily tasks might look something like this:
- Ensure prescriptions are accurate
- Explain how patients can take their medications properly
- Develop patient treatment plans with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff
- Help people and their families manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Pharmacist?
Becoming a pharmacist can take about 6 to 8 years. But this is just a general timeline. Some students may take longer or shorter, depending on their goals and schedule.
Many students don’t realize that a college degree isn’t required to enter pharmacy school. Only the prerequisites are needed for pharmacy school, which may shorten your path to licensure.
Generally speaking, most students follow this timeline:
- High school: 4 years
- Undergraduate (pre-pharmacy): 2 to 4 years
- Pharmacy school (PharmD): 4 years
- Residency (may be required depending on if you pursue a specialty): 2 years
Steps to Become a Pharmacist
Step 1 – Start Strong in High School
If you’re still in high school, now is the perfect time to lay a solid foundation. Focus on science and math, but don’t ignore communication skills like English or public speaking — they can be important for becoming a skilled and successful pharmacist.
Recommended Courses
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Algebra
- Pre-calculus
- Physics
- English or public speaking
- Health sciences (if available)
Step 2 – Complete Pre-Pharmacy Coursework
After high school, you’ll need to complete 2 to 4 years of undergraduate studies focused on pre-pharmacy. Some students earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject like biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, while others transfer into pharmacy school after completing the prerequisites. Remember — you don't need a college degree if you meet the requirements to transfer into pharmacy school.
What to Look for in a College or University
When choosing a school, you want one that prepares you both for pharmacy school and the everyday tasks of working as a pharmacist. Look for a school offering the following:
- Pharmacy-specific prerequisites such as advanced science and math courses, biology, chemistry, etc.
- Internship and research opportunities to gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of pharmaceutical sciences
- Job shadowing and volunteering opportunities to observe pharmacists in action and build connections with professionals in the field
- Focused support for pre-pharmacy students, like dedicated advising or pathway programs
- A good track record of students getting into pharmacy school after completing prereqs or graduating with their bachelor's degree
- Support services for students including academic advising, mental health support and career development
Step 3 – Get Your PharmD Degree
To get your pharmacist license, you’ll need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program from an accredited pharmacy school. Ensure you meet application deadlines by applying to pharmacy school as you complete your pre-pharmacy coursework. Most schools accept application materials (official transcripts, essays, and recommendation letters) through PharmCAS, a centralized application system. However, this may vary depending on your school.
What to Look for in a Pharmacy School
- Curriculum and specializations: Find a program that offers courses and experiences that align with your career interests.
- Experiential learning opportunities: Apply to a school that provides opportunities for strong clinical rotations, internships, and hands-on experiences.
- Faculty expertise: Look into the qualifications, research areas, and reputation of the faculty.
- Licensure exam pass rates: Check the school’s NAPLEX pass rates (for the U.S.) — a higher pass rate often indicates strong academic preparation.
- Residency and job placement rates: See if the school has a good track record of students getting residencies or jobs after graduation.
In Pharmacy school, your curriculum might include:
- Foundational sciences
- Clinical therapeutics
- Patient care labs
- Drug information & safety
- Clinical rotations
Internship/Practice Hours
Some states may also require you to complete a certain number of supervised practice hours during your program. In California, you need to log up to 1,500 hours to receive your license. These internships help you practice what you’ve learned and connect with professionals in the field.
Explore more: Get an inside look at Loma Linda University’s pharmacy curriculum.
Step 4 – Pass the NAPLEX & State Law Exam
After graduation, you’ll need to pass two key exams to become licensed, the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and a state law exam. Most states require you to take the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) state law exam, but keep in mind each state has slightly different requirements. Be sure to review your state’s board of pharmacy website for specific details.
- NAPLEX: Tests your overall knowledge of pharmacy practice
- State law exam: Focuses on pharmacy laws in your state
California students: You’ll take either the California Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (CPJE) or the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) state law exam. View the California State Board of Pharmacy to explore more details.
Once you pass your exams, congrats! You’re officially a licensed pharmacist.
Step 5 – Consider Residency or Fellowship
Some pharmacists might go straight to work for a hospital or community pharmacy after getting their license, while others might choose to continue their training with a residency or fellowship. These programs usually last one to two years and can open doors to specialized pharmacy careers.
Connect with an LLU student, faculty member, or alumnus and learn about their experiences.
What are the Most Popular Career Paths for Pharmacists?
Pharmacy offers more variety than you might think. When you're considering pharmacy for your career, think about how your strengths and interests might serve a specific path. Here are a few of the most popular paths pharmacists tend to take:
- Community pharmacy: Work in pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens
- Hospital pharmacy: Work with doctors and patients in a clinical or hospital setting, including pediatrics, oncology, critical care, and other specialties
- Pharmaceutical industry: Research, develop, or sell medications
- Regulatory pharmacy: Work on regulatory processes for developing and marketing pharmaceuticals
- Informatics pharmacy: Use data and technology to help improve medication management
- Independent pharmacy ownership: Provide personalized patient care in the community and manage all aspects of your business
Explore more: View 100+ pharmacy jobs and career paths.
How Much Do Pharmacists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual earnings for pharmacists was $137,480 in May 2024, with demand for new pharmacists projected to grow 5 percent between 2023 to 2033.
How Much Does Pharmacy School Cost?
The cost for pursuing a degree in pharmacy can vary greatly depending on the program, school location, and whether it is a private or public institution. For example, tuition costs can range from $20,000 to $80,000 per year. Fortunately, there are several financial aid options available to help manage tuition and living expenses.
How to Pay for Pharmacy School
Below are some of the most common sources of financial support available to pharmacy students.
- Scholarships: Money awarded based on merit or need
- Grants: Financial aid you don’t repay, often awarded based on financial need.
- Federal student loans: Government loans, often with affordable repayment plans.
- Part-time jobs: On- and off-campus jobs that can help support your income.
- Paid pharmacy internship: Opportunities to work in your field while you go to school. Find a job in retail, hospitals, or the pharmaceutical industry
Emerging Trends: Pharmacy and AI
Pharmacy is evolving. New technologies like AI are helping pharmacists in their day-to-day responsibilities, such as checking drug interactions, managing data, and more. This doesn’t mean AI is replacing pharmacists, but the new technology is changing how they work and think.
Pharmacists need to be more than medication experts. To remain competitive in their field and continue to serve their communities efficiently, pharmacists also need to be tech-savvy professionals comfortable with big changes in how they get their work done. This shift calls for a strong foundation in digital health technologies, openness to new tools as the field continues to evolve, and of course the ability to critically evaluate AI tools for accuracy and efficacy.
Want to Learn More?
Now that you know the key steps to becoming a pharmacist, you might have a few follow-up questions. Feel free to contact us via one of the methods below — we can answer your questions and provide detailed info about the LLU PharmD program to see if it’s right for you.
- Request info on our Pharmacy and other health sciences programs
- Explore PharmD at LLU
- Connect with our admissions team
FAQ
What’s the fastest way to become a pharmacist?
The fastest route is doing two years of pre-pharmacy and going straight into a PharmD program. Some students take longer depending on their path, like if they choose to pursue a specialty.
Do pharmacists have to go to medical school?
Nope. Pharmacists go to pharmacy school, not medical school. They earn a PharmD, not an MD.
What’s the difference between a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, and a pharmacy technician?
Each of these jobs is related to helping treat patients through medications, but the actual work is separated by these key distinctions:
- Pharmacists are licensed to dispense medications and advise patients.
- Pharmacologists research how medications work.
- Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists, but don’t counsel patients or make final decisions.