To practice as a pharmacist in the U.S., you must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy; also known as a PharmD degree. In order to be admitted to Pharmacy school, you must first complete at least 2 years of pharmacy specific undergrad training. Once you have made the decision to apply, you must write the PCAT; the Pharmacy College Admissions Test. Theoretically, you could complete your degree in 6 years, but most people entering Pharmacy school have 3 or more years of education. After finishing school, you need to complete an internship with a practicing pharmacist before you can become liscenced; you must be liscenced to workas a pharmacist in the U.S.

In Canada, it is a different process. You first complete a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy; you then write a Qualifying Exam that allows the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PBEC) to assess your level of competency. Note that you are not automatically liscenced just for finishing the Qualifying Exam. Each province has a slightly different take about what happens after you have your degree, but most, if not all require an internship.