There are a number of accredited pharmacy schools and colleges in the US where you can learn to be a professional pharmacist (Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD). Good pharmacy training can lead you to licensure and an important medical career, dispensing prescribed medications and advising patients about prescription drug interactions and potential side effects.
It takes a lot of drive and determination to become a licensed pharmacist. Every state in the US requires doctors of pharmacy to have a license, which can be obtained only after successfully graduating from a college that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (some states have additional licensure requirements).
The doctorate degree in pharmacy can take up to 7 years or more to complete, including 2-3 years of related study prior to enrolling in a 4-year graduate program. Most accredited colleges will require applicants to pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) in order to qualify for enrollment. Some good preparation for enrollment can be very helpful, such as pre-pharmacy courses in mathematics and natural sciences, including chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.
If you are looking to gain pharmacy certification, it is important to understand that certification is not a requirement for pharmacists, except in cases where they may wish to be certified in a specific area of pharmaceutical medicine, such as psychiatric, oncology, nuclear, or nutritional support. However, those seeking to become pharmacy technicians (pharmacy assistants) must be certified.
Look to medical schools and teaching hospitals to offer training at the graduate level. These colleges and universities can provide you with the expertise you will need to be a successful practitioner of pharmaceutical medicine.
