• I am having difficulty opening some of the forms. What can I do?
Forms are viewable in Adobe only. Adobe Acrobat is available free of charge.
• Must applicants test in the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure?
No. Examinees may sit for the examination at any of the approximately 300 testing centers nationwide and in Canada. They are not required to sit for the examination within the jurisdiction in which they are seeking licensure. The examination is not available overseas.
• May applicants apply to more than one jurisdiction to take the examination?
Applicants may apply to only one jurisdiction to take the MPJE examination. Applicants may request that their NAPLEX score be transferred to another jurisdiction prior to sitting for the NAPLEX exam. However, as before, you may apply to only one jurisdiction to retake the examination. NABP handles all score transfer requests.
• When may examinations be taken?
Applicants should call and schedule the appointment immediately upon receipt of their ATT even if they do not want to test immediately, it is better to schedule early. The time period allowed for Applicants to take the examinations are one year from their eligibility date. This date is in the ATT letter (sent from NABP). Testing will be scheduled at the location and on the date and time of the Applicant's choosing- if available. If not available, alternate dates, times, and/or locations will be offered. *Please note that the ATT is valid for one year but all applicants MUST meet all the requirements for licensure within one year of the date the license application is received by PCS. This includes passing all required examinations. The expiration date of your ATT will often fall outside of the one year expiration of your license application, so please be sure to test before whichever date comes first in order to avoid having to reapply and pay additional fees.
• How much time is given for the examination?
NAPLEX examinees are allowed four hours and 15 minutes with a 10 minute mandatory break after approximately two hours of testing time. The MPJE examination is two hours. The exams are computer-adaptive format and require that all test questions be answered in the order in which they are presented. One cannot return to a previous question to change an answer.
• Can individuals with disabilities be accommodated?
All centers are fully accessible and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. Applicants must submit appropriate documentation of their request for special accommodations to the licensing authority of the state (jurisdiction) in which they are seeking licensure, at the time that they submit their initial application materials. Only those applicants who have been granted approval from their licensing authority will receive special accommodations during testing.
• What is the passing score?
The minimum acceptable passing score on both the NAPLEX & MPJE is 75. The passing score reported is not a percentage value. The score is calculated by first determining the applicant's ability level on the NAPLEX/MPJE and then comparing the candidate’s ability level to the predetermined minimum acceptable ability level established for the NAPLEX/MPJE. The passing standard has been established by a panel of pharmacy experts, and the ability level that defines the passing standard is the same for all NAPLEX/MPJE administrators.
• How often can the examinations be taken?
Examinees that have taken the NAPLEX and did not pass must wait a minimum of 91 days between administrations. Examinees that have taken the MPJE and did not pass must wait a minimum of 30 days to retake the examination for the same jurisdiction.
• Whom can I call if I have additional questions about the NAPLEX/MPJE examinations Program?
Applicants may call NABP Customer Service 1-847-698-6227 to obtain general information, and to obtain status of their application, authorization to test letter (ATT) they can call 1-609-720-6811.
• In reference to licensure, what is a TPL?
The letters TPL stand for Transfer of Pharmaceutical License, and it can be obtained through NABP. It is a means of transferring a pharmacy license from one state to another. NABP confirms that a license is in good standing in every state that you hold a pharmacy license prior to approving for the transfer. The license that is held previously in the other states will remain active as long as the renewing process is completed for each of those states.
• How many intern hours are required for licensure in the state of Massachusetts?
There is a minimum of 1500 hours.
• How long is an applicant considered a score transfer applicant?
The score transfer is good for one year from the date of the NAPLEX exam. The MPJE must be passed within one year of the date of the passed NAPLEX exam. If the MPJE is not passed within one year, you must apply by Reciprocity.
• What if I answered yes to a Good Moral Character (GMC) question?
Applicant is required to use the Criminal Offender Record Information Request Form (CORI) to grant permission to MA Board to request information on your behalf. Applicant must also write a personal statement and submit any supporting documentation to PCS.
• What if I was educated in a foreign country?
Applicant must first contact NABP to take the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE). After receiving approval from NABP, the applicant may proceed with the usual examination process. Please be sure to include a notarized copy of your certificate with your application when sending to PCS.
• Do my application and fees expire?
Yes, the application is void if requirements are not met within one year from date of receipt by PCS. The fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• For Score Transfer, how do I verify my Intern hours?
Up to 1,000 hours can be accepted from your school’s verification of Graduation. The remaining hours need to be logged hours as a MA intern if worked for MA, or sent by the state board in which the hours were worked if outside of MA. The letter would need to be provided on that state board’s letterhead.
