PEBC New Pathway 2027: Evaluating Exam Ends After October 2026

What is the new PEBC certification pathway for IPGs in 2027?

PEBC is removing the Evaluating Exam from the certification pathway for International Pharmacy Graduates. This starts in January 2027.

In simple words, IPGs will no longer need to pass the Pharmacist Evaluating Exam to become certified by PEBC. After a valid Document Evaluation, you can go straight to Part I (MCQ) of the Qualifying Examination.

PEBC is the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. It is the national certification body for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Canada.

Source: PEBC New Certification Pathway for IPGs

When is the last Pharmacist Evaluating Exam?

The last Pharmacist Evaluating Exam is the October 2026 sitting. PEBC will not offer it after this.

• Exam date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
• Results release: Wednesday, November 5, 2026, at 12:00 pm (noon) Eastern Time

Taking the October 2026 exam is optional. More details are in the section on October 2026 candidates below.

Source: PEBC Examination Dates and Fees

What changes for IPGs from January 2027?

Here is a simple comparison of the key points on PEBC's official page.

Official source note: All details in this table are taken from the PEBC page "New Certification Pathway for International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs)". PEBC states that this page governs if another website describes the change differently.

Source: PEBC New Pathway

Which pathway applies to me as an Overseas Pharmacist?

Your next steps depend on where you are today. PEBC groups candidates into three situations.

Official source note: This table summarises the three sections on PEBC's official new pathway page.

What should I do if I have already passed the Evaluating Exam?

Nothing changes for you. This also applies if you passed in June 2026.

• You do not need to pass Part I (MCQ) before Part II (OSCE).
• You can apply for Part I and Part II in the same exam session, or in any order you choose.
• Your Document Evaluation will not expire. It stays valid for the rest of your certification pathway.
• If you were unsuccessful at Part II (OSCE) before, check PEBC's OSCE Eligibility rules before you apply again.
• The next Qualifying Exam is in February 2027. The application deadline is 12:00 pm Eastern Time on November 19, 2026.
• If your photo on file is more than five years old, you must complete Photo Renewal.

What should I do if I have not passed the Evaluating Exam?

You will follow the new pathway. This group includes IPGs who are new to PEBC, IPGs who are still in Document Evaluation, and IPGs who attempted the Evaluating Exam before or never attempted it.

Follow these steps:

• Step 1: Complete Document Evaluation. This is the first step in PEBC certification for IPGs.
• Step 2: Check that it is valid. Your Document Evaluation must be valid for the exam you want to take.
• Step 3: Renew if needed. If it expires before the first day of the exam window, you must complete Document Re-Evaluation.
• Step 4: Apply for Part I (MCQ). Document Evaluation or Re-Evaluation must be completed at least two business days before the application deadline.
• Step 5: Pass Part I (MCQ). Only then can you apply for Part II (OSCE).

PEBC says Document Evaluation cannot be completed in two business days. Check the Document Evaluation guidelines early. It is officially complete only when you receive the confirmation letter in your Candidate Portal account.

After you pass Part I (MCQ), your Document Evaluation stays valid for the rest of your certification pathway.

Source: PEBC Document Evaluation

What are my options if I am enrolled in the October 2026 Evaluating Exam?

PEBC has made the October 2026 exam optional. You have two choices.

Option 1: Take the October 2026 exam

• You can take it as preparation for the Qualifying Exam.
• You will receive your result and a feedback report.
• Your performance will not affect your eligibility for Part I (MCQ).
• There is no refund of the exam fee for an exam that has been taken.

If you pass

• You can attempt Part I (MCQ) and/or Part II (OSCE) directly.
• You do not need to pass Part I before applying for Part II.
• Your Document Evaluation stays valid for the rest of your pathway.
• The February 2027 Part II (OSCE) application opens in your Portal one day after the October 2026 results are released.

If you do not pass

• You must pass Part I (MCQ) before you can apply for Part II (OSCE).

Option 2: Withdraw from the exam

PEBC allowed a full refund for candidates who applied and paid on or after April 30, 2026. The withdrawal window was August 10 to 24, 2026, and it has now closed.

After August 24, 2026, PEBC's standard Withdrawal and Refund Policies apply.

If you withdraw, you follow the pathway for candidates who have not passed the Evaluating Exam.

Why does Document Evaluation matter in the new pathway?

Document Evaluation is now the main entry point to the Qualifying Exam. Without a valid one, you cannot apply for Part I (MCQ).

• It is valid for five years from the date it was approved.
• If it expires before the first day of your exam window, you must renew it before applying.
• If you have not passed Part I (MCQ) within five years of approval, you need Document Re-Evaluation.
• Once you pass Part I (MCQ), it stays valid for the rest of your pathway.

The current Document Evaluation fee is CAD 715.

Can I continue if I failed the Evaluating Exam three or four times?

Yes. PEBC has made two clear points.

If you failed three times

• You do not need to complete the remediation activities from your third-attempt result letter.
• You can enrol in Part I (MCQ) if your Document Evaluation is valid.
• You may choose to complete some activities as preparation. You do not need to send proof to PEBC.

If you failed four times (attempts used up)

• You are eligible to continue with PEBC certification.
• If your Candidate Portal account was closed, do not create a new one. PEBC has reactivated it.
• Your Document Evaluation must still be valid for the exam.

Remediation rules still apply to the new exams. If you are unsuccessful at Part I (MCQ) or Part II (OSCE) three times, you must complete remediation specific to that exam.

Source: PEBC New Pathway FAQs

What are the 2027 Qualifying Exam dates and fees?

PEBC has published the 2027 schedule of Pharmacist Qualifying Exams.

Pharmacist Qualifying Exam schedule

Fees (in Canadian dollars)

• Document Evaluation: CAD 715
• Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ): CAD 870 (2027 fee)
• Qualifying Exam Part II (OSCE): CAD 1,950 (2027 fee)

Official source note: Dates and fees are from the PEBC "Examination Dates and Fees" page. PEBC may change them at any time, so always check the page before you apply. Last verified: October 7, 2026.

Source: PEBC Examination Dates and Fees

What new preparation tools is PEBC offering?

PEBC says all candidates should check their readiness before registering for Part I (MCQ) or Part II (OSCE). It recommends these steps:

• Review the current Pharmacist Qualifying Exam blueprint, including competency weightings.
• Review the references and learning resources recommended by PEBC.
• Try the Pharmacist Qualifying Sample Practice Exam before you apply for Part I (MCQ).
• Use the new real-time assessment tool. It starts with a short sample MCQ exam, which PEBC said would be available in mid-August 2026. More options will come from 2027.
• If you attempted an exam before, review your feedback report.

PEBC says the optional assessment tool gives real-time feedback on your readiness for Part I. It also links to supporting material to help you fix competency gaps.

Does the new pathway affect other overseas pharmacist candidates?

• Streamlined pathway candidates: No change. They already went directly to Part I (MCQ).
• US graduates (ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy): No change to their pathway.
• IPGs interested in the Pharmacy Technician pathway: From January 2027, candidates with a successful Pharmacist Document Evaluation can apply directly for the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ) and/or Part II (OSPE). The Document Evaluation must be valid on the exam date.

Conclusion

The October 2026 Evaluating Exam is the last one PEBC will offer. From January 2027, IPGs with a valid Document Evaluation can go straight to Part I (MCQ) of the Qualifying Exam.

The pathway is simpler, but you still need to pass Part I and Part II. If you have not passed the Evaluating Exam, you must pass Part I before applying for Part II.

Check that your Document Evaluation is valid, and plan for the February 2027 deadline of November 19, 2026. Always confirm the latest details on the official PEBC website before you apply.