Pharmacist License Reciprocity by State (2026)
No pharmacist compact in force — state-by-state licensure transfer
There is no pharmacist licensure compact in force that our verified sources can point you to as of the retrieval date. Pharmacists transfer by licensure transfer or score transfer through the destination state board, which is the pathway to plan around.
- Covers:
- Individual state pharmacist licensure.
- Governing body:
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and each state board of pharmacy
What to know before you rely on it
- Each state board of pharmacy sets its own transfer and licensure-by-examination requirements.
- Most states require the NAPLEX and, for transfer applicants, evidence of active practice and a clean disciplinary record.
- Reciprocal transfer usually still requires a state-specific application, fee and sometimes the MPJE for that state.
Verify this first: Confirm the current transfer rules with the destination state board of pharmacy before applying.
NABP ↗State-by-state reciprocity notes
12 of 51 states have a published reciprocity note in our dataset. For the remaining states, the note is not published — check both state boards before you move. Dispenses prescriptions and advises on medication. Requires a PharmD and the NAPLEX plus a state pharmacy law exam (MPJE).
| State | Reciprocity note | Verify with |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | NABP score transfer accepted; AZ MPJE + Fingerprint Clearance Card required | Arizona State Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| California | No MPJE — CA requires its own California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Exam (CPJE); NAPLEX score transfer not accepted | California State Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Florida | NAPLEX score transfer accepted (within 5 years, continuous licensure); FL MPJE required | Florida Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Georgia | NABP eLTP transfer available; GA MPJE required | Georgia Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Illinois | NABP score transfer accepted (within 3 years); IL MPJE required | Illinois Division of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) ↗ |
| Michigan | NABP score transfer accepted (within 3 years); MI MPJE required | Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA) ↗ |
| New York | NABP eLTP transfer available; NY MPJE required | New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSED, Office of the Professions) ↗ |
| North Carolina | NABP score transfer accepted (within 90 days); NC MPJE/UMPJE required | North Carolina Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Ohio | NABP eLTP transfer available; OH MPJE required | Ohio State Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | NABP score transfer accepted; PA MPJE required | Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Texas | NABP score transfer accepted after 1 year active licensure; TX MPJE required | Texas State Board of Pharmacy ↗ |
| Washington | NABP eLTP transfer available; WA MPJE required | Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission ↗ |
| Alabama | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Alaska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Arkansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Colorado | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Connecticut | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Delaware | check both state boards | board site pending |
| District of Columbia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Hawaii | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Idaho | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Indiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Iowa | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kansas | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Kentucky | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Louisiana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maine | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Maryland | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Massachusetts | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Minnesota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Mississippi | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Missouri | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Montana | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nebraska | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Nevada | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Hampshire | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Jersey | check both state boards | board site pending |
| New Mexico | check both state boards | board site pending |
| North Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oklahoma | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Oregon | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Rhode Island | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Carolina | check both state boards | board site pending |
| South Dakota | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Tennessee | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Utah | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Vermont | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| West Virginia | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wisconsin | check both state boards | board site pending |
| Wyoming | check both state boards | board site pending |
Frequently asked questions
How does a Pharmacist license transfer between states?
There is no pharmacist licensure compact in force that our verified sources can point you to as of the retrieval date. Pharmacists transfer by licensure transfer or score transfer through the destination state board, which is the pathway to plan around.
Which states participate in No pharmacist compact in force — state-by-state licensure transfer?
There is no pharmacist licensure compact in force that our verified sources can point you to as of the retrieval date. Pharmacists transfer by licensure transfer or score transfer through the destination state board, which is the pathway to plan around. Confirm the current position with National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and each state board of pharmacy.
Does No pharmacist compact in force — state-by-state licensure transfer mean I skip the exam entirely?
Not automatically. Each state board of pharmacy sets its own transfer and licensure-by-examination requirements. The only reliable answer for your situation comes from the destination board, so verify before you pay application fees.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to another state?
In our dataset, 12 states have a published reciprocity note (see the table). For every other state the rule is not published here — check both state boards before moving.
What does reciprocity mean for a license?
Reciprocity lets an already-licensed professional from one state qualify for a license in another state without repeating the full education and exam process. Some states have formal agreements or compacts; others require a state-specific exam or extra coursework even when they accept your license. Many states do not grant a license on reciprocity at all — they grant it by comity or endorsement, meaning you still file an application and meet their requirements.
Why do some states say "check both state boards"?
State reciprocity tables are not consistently published in machine-readable form. When a state has not published an official note in our verified sources, we point you to both boards rather than guess. That is the safest answer for a decision that can affect your eligibility to work.
Does holding a license in one state guarantee a license in another?
No. Every state sets its own licensing law. Even in states with reciprocity or a compact, you typically still file an application, pay a fee, pass a background check and sometimes pass a state-specific exam. Always confirm directly with the destination state board.
Plan your move with Pharmacist data
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Reciprocity rules and compact membership change frequently and are set by each state legislature and board. “Check both state boards” means the note is not published in our dataset — it is not a negative answer. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13; always verify with both boards before relocating.