Overview
ACPE and the PharmD
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is the recognized accreditor of professional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs in the United States. It also accredits continuing pharmacy education and pharmacy-technician programs. Recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
The Gate
ACPE accreditation and pharmacist licensure
To become a licensed pharmacist, you must graduate from an ACPE-accredited PharmD program. That degree makes you eligible to sit for the NAPLEX (the national licensing exam) and the MPJE (the jurisprudence exam), which together with supervised hours lead to state licensure. An unaccredited pharmacy program is not a viable path to U.S. pharmacist licensure.
The Scope
What ACPE covers
- PharmD programsThe professional doctorate required for pharmacist practice.
- Pharmacy technician programsACPE accredits technician education and training programs.
- Continuing pharmacy educationACPE is the standard for providers of pharmacist continuing education.
- International recognitionACPE also offers an international certification for pharmacy programs outside the U.S.
The Review
How pharmacy accreditation works
Like other health-professions accreditors, ACPE uses a self-study and site-visit model against its standards, with new programs earning pre-candidate and candidate status before full accreditation — and students in candidate programs are generally eligible for licensure on graduation, an important protection for early cohorts.
Do It Yourself
Verify a pharmacy program
Go Deeper
Official sources
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits pharmacy programs? The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), which accredits professional PharmD programs, pharmacy-technician programs, and continuing pharmacy education. It is recognized by USDE and CHEA.
- Do I need an ACPE-accredited program to become a pharmacist? Yes. You must graduate from an ACPE-accredited PharmD program to sit for the NAPLEX and MPJE and be licensed as a pharmacist.
- What degree do pharmacists need? The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), earned from an ACPE-accredited program.
- What exams do pharmacists take? The NAPLEX (national licensing exam) and the MPJE (multistate jurisprudence exam), along with supervised experience hours.
- Is ACPE recognized by the government? Yes. ACPE is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA.
- Can I be licensed from a candidate-status pharmacy program? Generally yes — students who graduate from ACPE candidate-status programs are typically eligible for licensure, which protects early cohorts of new programs.
- Does ACPE accredit pharmacy technician programs? Yes, ACPE accredits pharmacy-technician education and training programs in addition to PharmD programs.
- How do I verify a pharmacy program? Search the program in the ACPE accredited-programs directory and confirm licensure steps with your state board of pharmacy.