Canadian Pharmacist PEBC Exams: Top Frequently asked questions

For an International pharmacist who is aspiring to become a registered pharmacist in Canada, the first crucial step is to clear the PEBC exams. Pharmacy Examination Board of Canada (PEBC) conducts various exams to evaluate the knowledge and skills of overseas candidates. These exams determine whether the quality of the applicants meets with the Canadian health sector standards.

Canada is always among the top choices for overseas pharmacists to migrate and work because of its vibrant job opportunities, higher salaries, developed healthcare system and open a path to Permanent Residency (PR).

This Exam is mandatory for international as well as Canadian students. However, many students lack the proper knowledge about this crucial exam. This blog post will give details regarding the PEBC exam eligibility, process, exam syllabus and structure, tips for preparation and more.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pharmacist licensing exam conducted by PEBC is important for all pharmacists, including international and Canadian-qualified pharmacists.

• Process of PEBC exam includes document evaluation, successfully clearing two exams-Evaluating and qualifying examination

• Candidates must have a valid pharmacy degree and registration with the home country pharmacy council to be eligible to apply for this examination

• Students must prepare for this crucial examination by giving focus on both theory and practical knowledge.

• Canada offers a wide range of job vacancies for skilled professionals who qualifies the licensing examination

What are the Pharmacy Examination Board Of Canada (PEBC) exams for pharmacists?

The PEBC exam is conducted by the Pharmacy Examination Board of Canada. It is an assessment done by the authority for pharmacists who need to be registered pharmacists in Canada.

This exam determines whether the candidate has the required knowledge, skills and abilities to work safely in the Canadian Pharmacies.

The exam is divided into two parts

• PEBC Evaluating Examination

• PEBC Qualifying Examination

Evaluating examination is the first exam that is conducted to evaluate the basic pharmacy knowledge of the pharmacist with multiple-choice questions.

Once the candidate clears the Evaluation exam, they can attempt the pharmacist qualifying examination.

What is the Eligibility criteria to attempt the PEBC Exam?

Candidates who completed their pharmacy degree from an accredited university are eligible to attempt the exam. This exam is crucial for both international graduates and Canadian students.

For Internationally trained pharmacy graduates, the requirements are:

• Must hold a recognized pharmacy degree (Either Bpharm, MPharm or Pharm.D)

• Must be registered with the home country’s pharmacy council

• Documents required to submit includes academic transcripts, degree certificate, and identification documents for evaluation

• Once the PEBC does the evaluation, applicants can appear for Evaluating examination (EE)

For Canadian Pharmacy Graduates:

• Students who done the pharmacy degree from Canadian universities, can directly sit for the second exam, that is Qualifying exam without attempting the evaluating examination

Pharmacist Evaluating Examination

Evaluating examination is an assessment conducted by PEBC to evaluate international graduates. It will assess whether the student is having enough knowledge and skills that match with the Canadian pharmacy standards.

This exam consist of Two parts:

• Part 1: Multiple choice questions

• Part 2: OSCE

• The pharmacist evaluating examination is conducted on a single day that is administered through the computer.

• It is 3.25 hours long exam

The syllabus for examination consist of three major parts:

• Pharmaceutical sciences

• Pharmacy practice

• Behavioural, social and administrative pharmacy practice

Pharmacist Qualifying Examination

This exam is the final exam conducted by PEBC for candidates who wish to be a registered pharmacist in Canada.

It consist of two parts:

• Part 1: MCQ

• Part 2: OSCE

Once the applicant clears both parts of the examination, they will be certified and registered with PEBC.

Part 1: MCQ exam is a computer based single day examination, which will assess the understanding of graduates in solving a problem, as well as the ability to make decisions.

Part 2: OSCE exam is an Objective structured clinical examination taken on a different day. It consist a series of stations with common and critical situations

What is the process of applying for PEBC Exams?

The applications consist of several steps such as:

1. Create an account with NAPRA and start application with official PEBC portal

2. Submit documents for document evaluation (degree certificate, transcripts, ID proof, licensure proof)

3. Wait for document evaluation approval and then apply for EE exam

4. Attempt and successfully clear the Pharmacist evaluating exam

5. After passing the EE, attempt and clear the Pharmacist Qualifying examination

6. Apply to be certified and registered with PEBC after clearing all the examinations

How much does the PEBC Exams cost?

How to prepare for PEBC Exams?

• The most difficult part of the whole journey of an international pharmacist to get Canadian registration is passing these tough exams. Proper preparation can be a game changer for the students.

• Some tips for a right preparation can be :

• Start your preparation as soon as possible. A minimum 6-12 months is required for a proper preparation of these exams.

• Only refer PEBC-recommened books for studies , which will be similar to the syllabus requirements of the examination. Candidates can find the list of books in official PEBC website

• Candidates can consider joining in in coaching courses or study groups for PEBC Exam

preparation

Elite Expertise offers Comprehensive PEBC Evaluating exam coaching for aspiring pharmacists who wish to become a pharmacist in Canada. With globally recognised pharmacists, Mr. Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika Bheemavarpu, with their guidance students can make their preparation journey simple and tension free.

For OSCE Exam:

• Candidates should improve the communication and counselling skills

• Practice with mock stations and role plays

• Focus on Canadian Pharmacy practice cases

How many attempts are allowed for each PEBC exam?

• Candidates are allowed 3 attempts for each PEBC exam stages

• In particular stages, a 4th attempt can be granted for candidates

• Since attempts are limited, serious preparation before attempting the exams is very crucial

What can students expect after passing the PEBC Exam?

Students who pass the exams can go to the next steps to get certified and registered with PEBC.

• Get registered with the provincial pharmacy regulatory authority

• Complete any internships or structured practical training if required

• Pass the law exam or jurisprudence exam

Once the candidates complete all the steps, they can be an officially licensed Canadian Pharmacist and begin the career.

Conclusion

The Pharmacist evaluating and Pharmacist qualifying is one of the toughest exams for pharmacy graduates. The steps involved in the process are very clear such as document evaluation and successfully clearing the exams. But it can be an overwhelming procedure for students. Each step is designed to ensure if the pharmacists meet Canadian standards of knowledge, safety and patient care.

Candidates must be ready to allocate time for the preparation and process. With proper strategies and tips, candidates can clear the procedure and be a registered pharmacist in Canada, which will offer a high paying job with stability and settlement.

About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Content Writer | Elite Expertise

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

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