ARTICLE 16. Applications [4200 - 4211]
( Article 16 added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. )
(a) The board may license as a pharmacist an applicant who meets all the following requirements:
(1) Is at least 18 years of age.
(2) (A) Has graduated from a college of pharmacy or department of pharmacy of a university recognized by the board; or
(B) If the applicant graduated from a foreign pharmacy school, the foreign-educated applicant has been certified by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee.
(3) Has completed at least 150 semester units of collegiate study in
the United States, or the equivalent thereof in a foreign country. No less than 90 of those semester units shall have been completed while in resident attendance at a school or college of pharmacy.
(4) Has earned at least a baccalaureate degree in a course of study devoted to the practice of pharmacy.
(5) Has completed 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience or the equivalent in accordance with Section 4209.
(6) Has passed a version of the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists
that, at the time of application for licensure, was based on an occupational analysis that is either current or that was replaced by another occupational analysis no more than one year before the application for licensure and the applicant meets either of the following requirements:
(A) Has passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination on or after January 1, 2004, and holds an active pharmacist license in another state or territory of the United States.
(B) Has passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination that, at the time of application for licensure, was based on an occupational analysis that is either current or that was replaced by another occupational analysis no more than one year before the application for licensure.
(b) Proof of the qualifications of an applicant for licensure as a pharmacist shall be made to the satisfaction of the board and shall be substantiated by affidavits or other evidence as may be required by the board.
(c) Each person, upon application for licensure as a pharmacist under this chapter, shall pay to the executive officer of the board the fees provided by this chapter. The fees shall be compensation to the board for investigation or examination of the applicant.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 213, Sec. 3. (SB 655) Effective January 1, 2020.)
(a) Notwithstanding Section 135, an applicant may take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination four times, and may take the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists four times.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 135, an applicant may take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists four additional times each if he or she successfully completes, at a minimum, 16 additional semester units of education in pharmacy as approved by the board.
(c) The applicant shall comply with the requirements of Section 4200 for each application for reexamination made
pursuant to subdivision (b).
(d) An applicant may use the same coursework to satisfy the additional educational requirement for each examination under subdivision (b), if the coursework was completed within 12 months of the date of his or her application for reexamination.
(e) For purposes of this section, the board shall treat each failing score on the pharmacist licensure examination administered by the board prior to January 1, 2004, as a failing score on both the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 653, Sec. 33. (SB 1489) Effective January 1, 2011.)
When developing the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists, the board shall include all of the following:
(a) Examination items to demonstrate the candidate’s proficiency in patient communication skills.
(b) Aspects of contemporary standards of practice for pharmacists in California, including, but not limited to, the provision of pharmacist care and the application of clinical knowledge to typical pharmacy practice situations that are not evaluated by the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 588, Sec. 52. Effective January 1, 2008.)
(a) The examination process shall be regularly reviewed pursuant to Section 139.
(b) The examination process shall meet the standards and guidelines set forth in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and the Federal Uniform Guidelines for Employee Selection Procedures. The board shall work with the Office of Professional Examination Services of the department or with an equivalent organization who shall certify at minimum once every five years that the examination process meets these national testing standards. If the department determines that the examination process fails to meet these standards, the board shall terminate its use of the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination and shall use only the
written and practical examination developed by the board.
(c) The examination shall meet the mandates of subdivision (a) of Section 12944 of the Government Code.
(d) The board shall work with the Office of Professional Examination Services or with an equivalent organization to develop the state jurisprudence examination to ensure that applicants for licensure are evaluated on their knowledge of applicable state laws and regulations.
(e) The board shall annually publish the pass and fail rates for the pharmacist’s licensure examination administered pursuant to Section 4200, including a comparison of historical pass and fail rates before utilization of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination.
(f) The board shall report to the Joint Committee
on Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection and the department as part of its next scheduled review, the pass rates of applicants who sat for the national examination compared with the pass rates of applicants who sat for the prior state examination. This report shall be a component of the evaluation of the examination process that is based on psychometrically sound principles for establishing minimum qualifications and levels of competency.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 307, Sec. 44. (SB 821) Effective January 1, 2010.)
An applicant who fails either the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination or the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists may not retake that examination for at least
45 days. The board may, in consultation with the Office of Professional Examination Services of the department, adopt a regulation establishing a different waiting period to retake the examination.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 598, Sec. 8. (SB 752) Effective January 1, 2018.)
(a) The board shall issue, upon application and payment of the fee established by Section 4400, a retired license to a pharmacist who has been licensed by the board. The board shall not issue a retired license to a pharmacist whose license has been revoked.
(b) The holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section shall not engage in any activity for which an active pharmacist’s license is required. A pharmacist holding a retired license shall be permitted to use the titles “retired pharmacist” or “pharmacist, retired.”
(c) The holder of a retired license shall not be required to renew that license.
(d) In order for the holder of a retired license issued pursuant to this section to restore his or her license to active status, he or she shall pass the examination that is required for initial licensure with the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 728, Sec. 30.4. Effective January 1, 2002.)
(a) Each application to conduct a pharmacy, wholesaler, third-party logistics provider, veterinary food-animal drug retailer, or outsourcing facility shall be made on a form furnished by the board and shall state the name, address, usual occupation, and professional qualifications, if any, of the applicant. If the applicant is other than a natural person, the application shall state the information as to each person beneficially interested therein or any person with management or control over the license.
(b) As used in this section, and subject to subdivision (c), the term “person beneficially interested” means and includes:
(1) If the applicant is a
partnership or other unincorporated association, each partner or member.
(2) If the applicant is a corporation, each of its officers, directors, and stockholders, provided that a natural person shall not be deemed to be beneficially interested in a nonprofit corporation.
(3) If the applicant is a limited liability company, each officer, manager, or member.
(c) If the applicant is a partnership or other unincorporated association, a limited liability company, or a corporation, and the number of partners, members, or stockholders, as the case may be, exceeds five, the application shall so state, and shall further state the information required by subdivision (a) as to each of the five partners, members, or stockholders who own the five largest interests in the applicant entity. Upon request by the executive officer,
the applicant shall furnish the board with the information required by subdivision (a) as to partners, members, or stockholders not named in the application, or shall refer the board to an appropriate source of that information.
(d) The application shall contain a statement to the effect that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony and has not violated any of the provisions of this chapter. If the applicant cannot make this statement, the application shall contain a statement of the violation, if any, or reasons which will prevent the applicant from being able to comply with the requirements with respect to the statement.
(e) Upon the approval of the application by the board and payment of the fee required by this chapter for each pharmacy, wholesaler, third-party logistics provider, or veterinary food-animal drug retailer, the executive officer of the board shall issue a
license to conduct a pharmacy, wholesaler, third-party logistics provider, veterinary food-animal drug retailer, or outsourcing facility if all of the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, the pharmacy license shall authorize the holder to conduct a pharmacy. The license shall be renewed annually and shall not be transferable.
(g) Notwithstanding any other law, the wholesaler license shall authorize the holder to wholesale dangerous drugs and dangerous devices. The license shall be renewed annually and shall not be transferable.
(h) Notwithstanding any other law, the third-party logistics provider license shall authorize the holder to provide or coordinate warehousing, distribution, or other similar services of dangerous drugs and dangerous devices. The license shall
be renewed annually and shall not be transferable.
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, the veterinary food-animal drug retailer license shall authorize the holder to conduct a veterinary food-animal drug retailer and to sell and dispense veterinary food-animal drugs as defined in Section 4042.
(j) For licenses referred to in subdivisions (f), (g), (h), and (i), any change in the proposed beneficial ownership interest shall be reported to the board within 30 days thereafter upon a form to be furnished by the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 32. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.)
(a) The board may issue a pharmacy technician license to an individual if the applicant is a high school graduate or possesses a general educational development certificate equivalent, and meets any one of the following requirements:
(1) Has obtained an associate’s degree in pharmacy technology.
(2) Has completed a course of training specified by the board.
(3) Has graduated from a school of pharmacy recognized by the board.
(4) Is certified by a pharmacy technician certifying organization offering a pharmacy technician certification program accredited by the National
Commission for Certifying Agencies that is approved by the board.
(b) The board shall adopt regulations pursuant to this section for the licensure of pharmacy technicians and for the specification of training courses as set out in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). Proof of the qualifications of any applicant for licensure as a pharmacy technician shall be made to the satisfaction of the board and shall be substantiated by any evidence required by the board.
(c) The board shall conduct a criminal background check of the applicant to determine if an applicant has committed acts that would constitute grounds for denial of licensure, pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) of Division 1.5.
(d) The board shall not renew a pharmacy technician license unless the applicant submits proof
satisfactory to the board that the applicant has successfully completed at least one hour of participation in a cultural competency course, as defined in Section 4231, during the two years preceding the application for renewal.
(e) The board may suspend or revoke a license issued pursuant to this section on any ground specified in Section 4301.
(f) Once an individual is licensed as a pharmacist, the pharmacy technician registration is no longer valid and the pharmacy technician license shall be returned to the board within 15 days.
(g) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
(Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 958, Sec. 2. (AB 2194) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, by its own provisions.)
(a) The board may issue a designated paramedic license to an individual if they hold a license as a paramedic in this state and meets the criteria of this section.
(b) The board shall conduct a criminal background check of the applicant to determine if the applicant has committed acts that would constitute grounds for denial of licensure, pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 480) of Division 1.5.
(c) The board may suspend or revoke a license issued pursuant to this section on any ground specified in Section 4301.
(d) A license issued under this section is dependent on the validity of the holder’s paramedic license and shall be automatically suspended if the individual’s paramedic license is expired, revoked, or otherwise invalidated by the issuing authority.
(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 12) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 723, Sec. 13. (SB 816) Effective January 1, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
Notwithstanding Section 480, the board may deny an application for licensure under this chapter if the applicant has been convicted of a crime or subjected to formal discipline that would be grounds for denial of a federal registration to distribute controlled substances.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 629, Sec. 23. (AB 1533) Effective January 1, 2022.)
(a) Each application for a license under Section 4180 shall be made on a form furnished by the board. The form of application for a license under Section 4180 shall contain the name and address of the applicant, whether the applicant is licensed as a primary care clinic as defined in this code, the name of its professional director, the name of its administrator, and the name of its consulting pharmacist.
(b) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the fee prescribed in subdivision (s) of Section 4400, the board shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which application for a permit is made qualify for a license. The board shall also determine whether this article has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters directly related to the issuance of the license. The board shall not, however, investigate any matters connected with the operation of a premises, including operating hours, parking availability, or operating noise, except those matters relating to the furnishing, sale, or dispensing of drugs or devices. The board shall deny an application for a license if either the applicant or the premises for which application for a license is made do not qualify for a license under this article.
(c) If the board determines that the applicant and the premises for which application for a license is made qualify for a license under this article, the executive officer of the board shall issue a license authorizing the clinic to which it is issued to purchase drugs at wholesale pursuant to Section 4180. The license shall be renewed annually on or before December 31 of each year upon payment of the renewal fee prescribed in subdivision (s) of Section 4400 and shall not be transferable.
(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 890, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997.)
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, when a clinic applicant submits either type of application described in subdivision (b), the board shall issue a license or incorporate the reported changes, as appropriate, within 30 days of receipt of a completed application and payment of any prescribed fees.
(b) This section applies to the following types of applications:
(1) A new clinic license application filed under Section 4180.
(2) Applications to report changes to an existing site licensed under Section 4180, including, but not limited to, changes in professional director, clinic
administrator, corporate officers, change of location, or change of address.
(c) This section shall not be construed to limit the board’s authority to conduct an investigation to determine whether applicants and the premises for which an application is made qualify for a license.
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 484, Sec. 33. (SB 1193) Effective January 1, 2017.)
(a) Each application for a license as a correctional clinic under Article 13.5 (commencing with Section 4187) shall be made on a form furnished by the board. The application form shall contain the name and address of the applicant, the name of its chief executive officer, as defined in Section 4187, and the name of the pharmacist-in-charge of the correctional pharmacy that provides drugs to the clinic.
(b) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the fee prescribed in Section 4400, where applicable, the board shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which application for a license is made qualify for licensure. The board shall also determine whether this article has been complied
with and shall investigate all matters directly related to the issuance of the license. The board shall not, however, investigate any matters connected with the operation of a premises, including, but not limited to, operating hours, parking availability, or operating noise, except those matters relating to the furnishing or dispensing of drugs or devices. The board shall deny an application for a license if either the applicant or the premises for which application for a license is made does not qualify for a license under this article.
(c) If the board determines that the applicant and the premises for which application for a license is made qualify for a license under this article, the executive officer of the board shall issue a license authorizing the correctional clinic to which it is issued to obtain drugs pursuant to Article 13.5 (commencing with Section 4187). The license shall be renewed annually on or before December 31 of each year
upon payment of the renewal fee prescribed in Section 4400, if applicable. A license shall not be transferable.
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 36, Sec. 7. (AB 1812) Effective June 27, 2018.)
(a) Each application for a license under Section 4190 shall be made on a form furnished by the board. The form of application for a license under this article shall contain the name and address of the applicant, whether the applicant is licensed, the type of services the facility will offer, the name of its professional director, the name of its administrator, and the name of its consulting pharmacist.
(b) Each initial application shall contain a statement from a consulting pharmacist certifying that the policies and procedures of the clinic’s drug distribution service, relative to inventories, security procedures, training, protocol development,
recordkeeping, packaging, labeling, dispensing, and patient consultation are
consistent with the promotion and protection of health and safety of the public. Upon the filing of the application and the payment of a fee in subdivision (s) of Section 4400, the board shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises for which application for a license is made qualify for a license. The board shall also determine whether this article has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters directly related to the issuance of the license. The board shall not however, investigate any matters connected with the operation of a premises, including operating hours, parking availability, or operating noise, except those matters relating to the furnishing, sale, or dispensing of drugs or devices. The board shall deny an application for a license if either the applicant or the premises for which application for a license is made do not qualify
for a license under this article.
(c) If the board determines that the applicant and the premises for which application for a license is made qualify for a license under Section 4190, the executive officer of the board shall issue a license authorizing the clinic to which it is issued to purchase drugs at wholesale pursuant to Section 4190. The license shall be renewed annually upon payment of a renewal fee prescribed in subdivision (s) of Section 4400 and shall not be transferable. As part of the renewal process the consulting pharmacist shall certify compliance with the quarterly inspections as required in Section 4192. Further, as part of the renewal process of every odd-numbered year, the most recent self-assessment form completed as provided in Section 4192 shall also be provided to the board.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 470, Sec. 6. (AB 1286) Effective January 1, 2024.)
(a) A license issued pursuant to Section 4110, 4120, 4160, or 4161 shall be considered a license within the meaning of Section 4141.
(b) The board may, in its discretion, issue a license to any person authorizing the sale and dispensing of hypodermic syringes and needles for animal use.
(c) The application for a license shall be made in writing on a form to be furnished by the board. The board may require any information as the board deems reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of Article 9 (commencing with Section 4140) of this chapter.
(d) A separate license shall be required for each of the premises of any person who sells or dispenses hypodermic syringes or needles at more than one location.
(e) A license shall be renewed annually and shall not be transferable.
(f) The board may deny, revoke, or suspend any license issued pursuant to this article for any violation of this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 621, Sec. 58. Effective January 1, 2006.)
(a) Upon receipt of an application for a license and the applicable fee, the board shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant is qualified for the license being sought. The board shall also determine whether this article has been complied with, and shall investigate all matters directly related to the issuance of the license that may affect the public welfare.
(b) The board shall not investigate matters connected with the operation of a premises other than those matters solely related to the furnishing of dangerous drugs or dangerous devices that might adversely affect the public welfare.
(c) The board shall deny an application for a license if the applicant does not qualify for the license being sought.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may request any information it deems necessary to complete the application investigation required by this section, and a request for information that the board deems necessary in carrying out this section in any application or related form devised by the board shall not be required to be adopted by regulation pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 296, Sec. 6. (AB 1023) Effective January 1, 2012.)
(a) At the discretion of the board, an intern pharmacist license may be issued for a period of:
(1) One to six years to a person who is currently enrolled in a school of pharmacy recognized by the board.
(2) Two years to a person who is a graduate of a school of pharmacy recognized by the board and who has applied to become licensed as a pharmacist in California.
(3) Two years to a foreign graduate who has met educational requirements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4200.
(4) One year to a person who has failed the pharmacist licensure examination four times and has reenrolled in a school of pharmacy to satisfy the requirements of Section 4200.1.
(b) The board may issue an intern pharmacist license to an individual for the period of time specified in a decision of reinstatement adopted by the board.
(c) An intern pharmacist shall notify the board within 30 days of any change of address.
(d) An intern pharmacist whose license has been issued pursuant to paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) shall return his or her license, by registered mail, within 30 days of no longer being enrolled in a school of pharmacy. The intern pharmacist license shall be canceled by the board. Notwithstanding subdivision (c), an intern pharmacist license may be reinstated if the student reenrolls in a school of pharmacy recognized by the board to fulfill the education requirements of paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 4200.
(e) A person who has not completed the experience requirements necessary to be eligible for the licensure examination may have his or her intern license extended for a period of up to two years at the discretion of the board if he or she is able to demonstrate his or her inability to exercise the privileges of the intern license during the initial license period.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 588, Sec. 53. Effective January 1, 2008.)
(a) (1) An intern pharmacist shall complete 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience before applying for the pharmacist licensure examination.
(2) This pharmacy practice experience shall comply with the Standards of Curriculum established by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or with regulations adopted by the board.
(3) This pharmacy practice experience shall include 900 hours of pharmacy practice experience in a pharmacy as a pharmacist and shall include pharmacy practice experience in both a community and institutional pharmacy practice setting.
(b) An intern pharmacist shall submit proof of his or her pharmacy practice experience on board-approved affidavits, or another form specified by the board, which shall be certified under penalty of perjury by a pharmacist under whose supervision the experience was obtained or by the pharmacist-in-charge at the pharmacy while the pharmacist intern obtained the experience.
Pharmacy practice experience earned in another state may be certified by the licensing agency of that state to document proof of those hours.
(c) An applicant for the examination who has been licensed as a pharmacist in any state for at least one year, as certified by the licensing agency of that state, may submit this certification to satisfy the required 1,500 hours of pharmacy practice experience, provided that the applicant has obtained a minimum of 900 hours of pharmacy practice experience in a pharmacy as a pharmacist and has pharmacy practice experience in both a community and institutional pharmacy practice setting. Certification of an applicant’s licensure in another state shall be submitted in writing and signed, under oath, by a duly authorized official of the state in which the license is held.
(d) An applicant for the examination who has graduated after January 1, 2016, from an ACPE accredited college of pharmacy or school of pharmacy recognized by the board shall be deemed to have satisfied the pharmacy practice
experience requirements specified in subdivisions (a) and (b).
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 147, Sec. 1. (SB 590) Effective January 1, 2016.)
(a) A person who seeks recognition as an advanced practice pharmacist shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Hold an active license to practice pharmacy issued pursuant to this chapter that is in good standing.
(2) (A) Satisfy any two of the following criteria:
(i) Earn certification in a relevant area of practice, including, but not limited to, ambulatory care, critical care, geriatric pharmacy, nuclear pharmacy, nutrition support pharmacy, oncology pharmacy, pediatric pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, or psychiatric
pharmacy, from an organization recognized by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education or another entity recognized by the board.
(ii) Complete a postgraduate residency through an accredited postgraduate institution where at least 50 percent of the experience includes the provision of direct patient care services with interdisciplinary teams.
(iii) Have provided clinical services to patients for at least one year under a collaborative practice agreement or protocol with a physician, advanced practice pharmacist, pharmacist practicing collaborative drug therapy management, or health system.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, if, as a condition of completion of one of the required criteria
fulfillment of a second criterion is also required, that completion shall be deemed to satisfy this paragraph.
(3) File an application with the board for recognition as an advanced practice pharmacist.
(4) Pay the applicable fee to the board.
(b) An advanced practice pharmacist recognition issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for two years, coterminous with the certificate holder’s license to practice pharmacy.
(c) The board shall adopt regulations establishing the means of documenting completion of the requirements in this section.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1,
2025.
(Repealed (in Sec. 14) and added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 723, Sec. 15. (SB 816) Effective January 1, 2024. Operative January 1, 2025, by its own provisions.)
(a) An applicant for renewal of an advanced practice pharmacist recognition shall maintain a current and active pharmacist license, and shall submit all of the following as part of the renewal:
(1) Application and payment of the renewal fees.
(2) (A) Proof satisfactory to the board that the licensee has completed 10 hours of continuing education pursuant to Section 4233.
(B) The 10 hours shall be in addition to the continuing education requirements necessary for a pharmacist license renewal pursuant to Section 4231.
(C) An advanced practice pharmacist shall retain documentation of completion of continuing education for four years.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the board shall not require completion of continuing education for the first renewal cycle of an advanced practice pharmacist recognition.
(c) The board may issue an inactive advanced practice pharmacist recognition under any of the following conditions:
(1) The pharmacist’s license becomes inactive.
(2) The advanced practice pharmacist fails to provide documentation of the completion of the required continuing education.
(3) As part of an investigation or audit conducted by the board, the advanced practice pharmacist fails to provide documentation
substantiating the completion of continuing education.
(d) The board shall reactivate an inactive advanced practice pharmacist recognition only if the advanced practice pharmacist pays the required renewal fees pursuant to Section 4210, submits satisfactory proof to the board of completion of the continuing education requirements under Section 4233, and meets all renewal requirements in this section.
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 213, Sec. 4. (SB 655) Effective January 1, 2020.)