This document was updated in February 2008 in collaboration with the Labour Market Integration Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Some requirements may have changed by the time you apply. Please contact the Ontario College of Pharmacists before completing your application.
Copyright in this career map is held jointly by the Queen’s Printer for Ontario and the Ontario College of Pharmacists, ©, 2008. This career map may be used or reproduced by any third party for non-commercial, not-for-profit purposes, provided that no fee, payment or royalty of any kind shall be charged by the third party for any further use or reproduction of the career map by any person. Any proposed commercial or for-profit use or reproduction of this career map requires a written license from the Queen’s Printer for Ontario and the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

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Practising In Ontario

To practise pharmacy in Ontario, you must have a Certificate of Registration (license) as a Pharmacist with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP). You will need this certificate to use the title ‘Pharmacist’ and provide pharmacy services to the public in Ontario. Most pharmacists practise in a community pharmacy or in a hospital pharmacy. People with a degree in pharmacy also work in the pharmaceutical industry, education and administration. You may not need a Certificate of Registration for some of these positions. Check with individual employers to see whether a Certificate of Registration is required. In any case, a Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacist gives you a much better chance of getting work in your profession.

Pharmacists in Ontario work as part of a health care team and provide care for patients. A pharmacist must be able to communicate well with patients to find out about their medication history, to give them information on drug use, and to help patients deal with any health problems that can be treated with or caused by drugs. For these reasons, you must have excellent communication skills to be a pharmacist in Ontario. You must also have the ability to use your pharmaceutical knowledge to provide the best care for your patients and keep yourself well informed about the current practice of pharmacy.

To get a Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacist in Ontario, you must:

• Have a pharmacy degree from a Canadian- or U.S.-accredited university or have a degree recognized by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) that would make you eligible to write the examinations of the PEBC.
• Pass the PEBC Evaluating Examination. Refer to “Before You Come to Canada” in the next section.
• Be reasonably fluent in English or French. For acceptable language tests and scores, see Language Assessment.
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
• Prove that you do not have a criminal record and that you have not been charged with any criminal acts related to the sale or use of drugs.
• Successfully complete 48 weeks of in-service training comprised of:
• a minimum of 16 weeks of academic modules offered by the International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) Program at the University of Toronto (Canadian Pharmacy Skills I and II),
• a minimum of 16 weeks of Structured Practical Training (SPT) at the student level and,
• a minimum of 16 weeks of Structured Practical Training (SPT) at the intern level.

• Pass the PEBC Qualifying Examination, Part I – MCQ and Part II - OSCE
• Pass the OCP Jurisprudence Examination.
• Provide proof of sufficient personal professional liability insurance
• Make an application and pay the fee.  

Before You Come to Canada

Academic Credential Assessment

PEBC Document Evaluation

Download the PEBC “Document Evaluation Application Form” available at www.pebc.ca.  Complete this form and send it to PEBC with the following required documents:

• certified photocopies of your immigration documents, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card or passport*
• certified photocopy of your pharmacy degree*
• official transcripts* sent by your academic institution directly to the PEBC office
• proof of current licensure as a pharmacist in good standing sent by your licensing body directly to the PEBC office
• two passport size photographs taken within the last six months
• a completed Application Form for Document Evaluation
• non-refundable document evaluation fee.

* Only original documents or copies of the original documents that are certified by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths or Affidavits will be accepted. If these documents are not in English or French, it is necessary to provide certified translations.

The PEBC will assess your documents and decide if you can write the PEBC Evaluating Examination. If PEBC approves your documents, it can take two to three years or longer for you to become registered as a pharmacist in Ontario. This is partly because the examinations (i.e., PEBC Evaluating, PEBC Qualifying Parts I and II, OCP Jurisprudence) and the classes for Canadian Pharmacy Skills I and II are only offered at set times during the year.

If PEBC does not approve your documents, you will not be allowed to write the Evaluating Examination or to become registered in Ontario. To become a pharmacist, you would have to complete a four-year Canadian degree program in Pharmacy. In Ontario, this program is offered at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Pharmacy and at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy.  There is space for a small number of international students each year. To receive more information about these degree programs, please contact the universities.  The addresses for both programs are provided at the end of this career map. 

PEBC Evaluating Examination

PEBC offers the Evaluating Examination twice a year--in the summer and in the winter. You must pass the Evaluating Examination to prove that you have completed an acceptable program of study. Applicants graduating from a Canadian- or U.S.-accredited faculty of pharmacy are not required to write the Evaluating Examination because there is a common accreditation process for pharmacy programs. More information on the Evaluating Examination can be obtained from PEBC. The PEBC address is listed at the end of this career map.

Language Assessment

You must show that you can understand, speak and write in either English or French with reasonable fluency. If your degree in pharmacy is from a non-Canadian- or U.S.-accredited university program, you cannot register with the OCP until you can prove your language proficiency by passing language tests. You may be able to take these tests in your country before you come to Canada but your test scores are valid for only two years. You may wish to complete the English or French fluency tests required by the College immediately before you come to Canada. The test scores must be sent directly by the testing agency to the OCP or confirmed by the OCP directly with the testing agency. As of January 1, 2007, the OCP will accept one of the following combinations of tests as proof of language proficiency:

* No minimum score set; all components are required.  Please contact the testing agency for more information. The contact information for each agency is provided at the end of this career map.

Notes:

• Since January 2007, the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies is no longer providing the Test of French Proficiency.
• While tests like the Test of French Proficiency, paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Computerized TOEFL are no longer available, OCP will continue to accept valid and current scores.
• All components of the IELTS, MELAB and iBT-TOEFL fluency tests must be attempted at the same sitting for the results to meet OCP's language proficiency requirement.
• Scores must be valid for you to progress from being a student to an intern, and from an intern to a pharmacist. If your test scores have expired during your in-service training, please contact Registration staff.

When You Arrive in Ontario

If you have not sent your documents to the PEBC for evaluation, send them when you arrive in Ontario. For more information, see Before You Come to Canada.  

Step 1 - Pre-registration

After you have passed the PEBC Evaluating Examination and met the OCP’s English or French language proficiency requirements, you must preregister with the OCP, then apply for admission to the International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) Program.

The information you send to PEBC is not forwarded to the OCP. Therefore, when you pre-register with the OCP before starting the IPG Program, you must submit the following documents to the OCP:

• certified photocopies of your immigration documents, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card or passport*
• certified photocopy of your pharmacy degree*
• proof of your English or French language proficiency (see Language Assessment)
• proof of successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating Examination
• a letter from all previous licensing bodies showing that you have no record of professional misconduct or any criminal acts for the sale or use of drugs
• a signed affidavit showing no criminal record or pending charges against you. This “Affidavit of Good Character” is available from the OCP website at www.ocpinfo.com under Licensing > Forms.

* Only original documents or copies of the original documents that are certified by a Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths or Affidavits will be accepted. If these documents are not in English or French, it is necessary to provide certified translations.

In-Service Training

Step 2 - Studentship - 32 weeks†

Once you have passed the PEBC Evaluating Examination and met the OCP’s English or French language proficiency requirements, you may apply for admission to Canadian Pharmacy Skills I (CPS I) of the IPG Program.  The IPG Program staff will advise the OCP if you are admitted to CPS I.  After successfully completing CPS I, you are required to successfully complete Canadian Pharmacy Skills II (CPS II).

Once you have successfully completed CPS I, you will be eligible to register as a student with the OCP and may wish to begin a minimum 16 weeks of Structured Practical Training (SPT) at the student level before taking CPS II.  SPT studentship and internship must be completed in a community or hospital pharmacy in Ontario that meets the SPT Practice Site criteria under the supervision of a pharmacist preceptor who must meet the Preceptor criteria as set out by OCP Regulation 280/96 (available at www.ocpinfo.com).  

Preceptors and student/interns must declare actual and/or perceived relationships of any nature that could compromise the studentship/internship assessment (e.g., direct or indirect family relationship, financial or business connections).  The OCP must approve your choice of preceptor before you begin your training.

It is your responsibility to find a pharmacist preceptor who is willing to teach and supervise you in the SPT program. Finding a preceptor may take some time because there are a limited number of trained preceptors, particularly at certain times of the year and in certain areas.  

A registered pharmacy student can only compound, dispense and sell over-the-counter drugs and provide information on the use of drugs under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. The pharmacy may or may not pay you for your work as a student. You can negotiate the matter of pay with your employer.

Step 3 - Internship - 16 weeks†

After you have successfully completed the in-service training requirements of a registered pharmacy student (i.e., CPS I and II, SPT studentship), you may apply to begin a minimum 16 weeks of Structured Practical Training at the intern level.  You must provide proof of sufficient personal professional liability insurance to be registered as an intern. 

 It is your responsibility to find a pharmacist preceptor who is willing to teach and supervise you in the SPT program. To be eligible as a preceptor, the pharmacist must meet the criteria listed above in Step 2 - Studentship – 32 weeks.

Preceptors and student/interns must declare actual and/or perceived relationships of any nature that could compromise the studentship/internship assessment (e.g., direct or indirect family relationship, financial or business connections).  The OCP must approve your choice of preceptor before you begin your training.

It is your responsibility to find an intern position.  Finding a preceptor may take some time because there are a limited number of trained preceptors, particularly at certain times of the year and in certain areas. 

As an intern, you can do all the work of a pharmacist, but your preceptor or another pharmacist must be available in person for advice and consultation at all times.

† Note: An applicant who wishes to be exempted from any portion of the 48 weeks of in-service training must submit a request to a panel of the Registration Committee and provide evidence to support this request.  Such evidence could include the successful completion of both parts of the PEBC Qualifying Examination and documentation of work experience in a direct patient care environment in a Canadian pharmacy.  Panels decide exemptions on a case-by-case basis.  A decision by the panel may be appealed to the Health Profession Appeals and Review Board (HPARB).

Candidates who are requesting an exemption from a portion of the in-service training may be required to pass the OCP Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination prior to internship.

For more information about making a request to a panel of the Registration Committee, refer to the OCP website (www.ocpinfo.com) under Licensing > Member Registration > Registration Panel Requests.  Other examples of evidence that may be considered by a panel are provided.

Step 4 - Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacist

After you have successfully completed the requirements of an intern, passed the PEBC Qualifying Examination, Part I and Part II, and passed the OCP Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination, you may apply for a Certificate of Registration (licence) as a pharmacist. You must provide proof of sufficient personal professional liability insurance to be registered as a pharmacist.

Examinations

PEBC Qualifying Examination, Part I - MCQ and Part II - OSCE

PEBC offers the Qualifying Examination, Parts I and II, two times a year--in the spring and in the fall. Both parts of the examination test your ability to use your pharmaceutical education in your work as a pharmacist. All applicants must pass this examination. The PEBC office can give you a list of resources to help you to study. You can also contact them for more information on this examination. The PEBC address is provided at the end of this career map.

OCP Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination

The OCP offers the Jurisprudence Examination in January, April, July and October. This multiple-choice examination tests your knowledge of the laws related to the dispensing and sale of medications in Ontario. You can take it at any stage of the registration process. However, a Registration Panel may require that you successfully complete this examination prior to internship because you will be working more independently and you will need to know the laws about the use and sale of drugs. The most recent legislation, the Standard of Practice and other study material are available on the OCP website under Licensing > Laws & Regulations.  A one-day seminar is also offered by OCP staff before each examination to review the jurisprudence material.

Labour Market Information 

The ability to provide client centered services with a focus on good communication skills and patient counselling are important requirements for future employment in this profession. The practice of pharmacy is rapidly changing towards electronic drug information and record keeping. Pharmacists should be able to use the computer and understand new technology used in the profession.

Future demand for pharmacists is unpredictable. Opportunities for jobs will depend on whether you are looking for work in the cities or in smaller towns. It may be easier to find a job outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

It may take two to three years or longer to become registered as a pharmacist. The registration process can be long and costly and you will need to have enough money to support yourself (and your family) for this time period.

Before you are able to begin your in-service training or if you cannot get registered as a pharmacist, you may be able to work as a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians do not have to register with the OCP. OCP will be offering the final voluntary certification examination for pharmacy technicians on October 25, 2008. This voluntary certification may help you get a job as a pharmacy technician. Contact OCP for more information. The address is provided at the end of this career map.

For more information about working as a pharmacist in Canada, see the “Working in Canada Tool” on the Human Resources and Social Development website (available at www.goingtocanada.gc.ca).  For information on working conditions for pharmacists in Ontario, visit the Ontario Job Futures Web site (available at www.ontariojobfutures.ca ).  In Ontario, this information is also available to you at libraries and Employment Resource Centres.

2008 Costs (in Canadian dollars*)

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)

 

English Language Proficiency Assessment

French Language Proficiency Assessment

International Pharmacy Graduate Program

OCP Jurisprudence Examination

OCP Application Fees

OCP Training Fees (applicable upon successful completion of training)

Certificate of Registration

* Note:Taxes may be added to some of these costs.
*Note: These are the costs at the time of publication.  Please contact the appropriate organization for current costs. 

Contact Information

For more information on registration requirements in Ontario:

Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP)
Client Services
483 Huron Street
Toronto , Ontario
Canada
M5R 2R4
Telephone: (416) 962-4861, Extension 300
E-mail: ocpclientservices@ocpinfo.com
Fax: (416) 962-1619
Website: www.ocpinfo.com

For more information on the requirements of PEBC:

Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
717 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M4W 2M4
Telephone: (416) 979-2431
Fax: (416) 599-9244
E-mail: pebcinfo@pebc.ca
Website: www.pebc.ca

For more information on admission requirements to the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto:

University of Toronto
Faculty of Pharmacy
144 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5S 3M2
Telephone: (416) 978-2889
Fax: (416) 978-8511
E-mail: adm.phm@utoronto.ca
Website: www.utoronto.ca/pharmacy

For more information on admission requirements to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo:

School of Pharmacy
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada
N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4848
Fax: (519) 888-7910
E-mail: pharmacy@uwaterloo.ca
Website: www.pharmacy.uwaterloo.ca

For information on where and how to get help with settlement in Ontario:

www.settlement.org

You can also contact:

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
110 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M4R 1A3
Telephone: (416)322-4950
Fax: (416)322-8084
E-mail: generalmail@ocasi.org
Website: www.ocasi.org

For information about accessing health related professions in Ontario please contact:

HealthForceOntario
Access Centre for Internationally
Educated Professionals
Ryerson University
285 Victoria Street, 7th floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5B 1W1
Tel. 416-314-4409 or 1-800-596-4046
TTY. 416-598-5964
Fax. 416-598-5968
Email.  accesscentre@healthforceontario.ca
Website. www.healthforceontario.ca

For more information on the International Pharmacy Graduate Program:

University of Toronto
International Pharmacy Graduate Program
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
144 College Street, Room 619
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5S 3M2
Telephone: (416) 946-5779
Fax: (416) 946-8168
E-mail: ipginfo.phm@utoronto.ca
Website: www.ipgcanada.ca

For more information on English language proficiency assessment:

Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

In Canada:

Educational Testing Service Canada, Inc.
212-133 Princess Street
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 1A8
Phone: 613-542-3368
Toll-free (Canada & U.S.): 800-615-8666
Fax: 613-542-2907
E-mail: info@etscanada.ca
Website: www.etscanada.ca

International:

Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
Phone: 1-609-921-9000
Fax: 1-609-734-5410

MELAB
University of Michigan
English Language Institute
500 East Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI  48104-2028
Telephone: 1-866-MYMELAB (696-3522)
in Toronto (416) 946-3942
Fax: (734) 615-6586
E-mail: melabelium@umich.edu
Website: www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab
In Toronto: www.library.utoronto.ca/melab

CanTEST
Language Testing Services
Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute
600 King Edward Street, Room 114
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1N 6N5
Telephone: (613) 562-5743
Fax: (613) 562-5126
E-mail: cantest@uottawa.ca
Website: www.cantest.uottawa.ca

IELTS

In Ontario:
IELTS Administrator
Conestoga College
299 Doon Valley Drive
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4M4
Telephone: (519) 748-3516
Fax: (519) 748-5926
E-mail: ielts@conestogac.on.ca
Website: www.conestogac.on.ca/ielts

International:
ESOL Helpdesk
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
1 Hills Road
Cambridge CBI 2EU UK
Telephone: 01223 553311
Fax: 01223 460278
Website: www.ielts.org

For more information on French language proficiency assessment:

TESTCan
Service d’évaluation linguistique
Institut des langues officielles et du bilinguisme
600, avenue King-Edward, Pièce 114
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1N 6N5
Telephone: (613) 562-5743
Fax: (613) 562-5126
E-mail: testcan@uottawa.ca
Website: www.testcan.uottawa.ca

Service d’évaluation linguistique

Institut des langues officielles et du bilinguisme (ILOB)
600, avenue King-Edward
Pièce 114
Ottawa Ontario
Canada
K1N 6N5  

 

Copyright in this career map is held jointly by the Queen’s Printer for Ontario and the Ontario College of Pharmacists, ©, 2008.