PEBC Canada 2025 (Evaluating Exam) Update for Indian Pharmacist

Why Indian Pharmacists Choose Canada?

Canada is one of the top priorities considering career abroad by Indian pharmacists, the reason being:

Competitive salaries:

The average salary of a pharmacist in Canada is CAD 95,000 - CAD 115,000 annually. This may change with the experience (Please refer to table below for an approximate range of salary earned with experience).

Also read: Pharmacist Salary Abroad in 2025: Top-Paying Countries Ranked (Australia, Canada, UK & NZ) | Elite Expertise

Excellent job opportunities:

With growing aged populations the demand for pharmacists is increasing in Canada.

Advanced Scope of Practice and Professional Development

• One of the best Healthcare systems in the world.

• Clear immigration pathways and permanent residency

• Good work-life balance

• Respect and recognition for Pharmacists

💡 Related Read:

Why Canada is the Top Choice for Overseas Pharmacists? | Elite Expertise

PEBC pathways for international Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs):

There are three different pathways based on which place you belong to:

• Canadian Graduates

• US Graduates

• International Graduates- Indians fall in this category

Key Update (Effective May 13, 2025)

PEBC has introduced a streamlined pathway—eligible international pharmacy graduates now get exempted from the Pharmacist Evaluating Exam and can proceed directly to the Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ) after document evaluation

Who Qualifies?

After completing the mandatory Document Evaluation, candidates are eligible under any of these pathways.

1. The international graduates of pharmacy programs accredited by CCAPP (Canada) or ACPE (USA) at the time of their graduation are eligible.

2. Graduates from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, UK, South Africa — recognized as having comparable accreditation and regulatory frameworks.

3. Graduates from other international programs plus at least 1 year in direct patient-care within the past 3 years in regulated countries (US, UK, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, NZ).

Important for Indian pharmacists:
Indian PharmD & BPharm graduates from ACPE- or CCAPP-accredited colleges (e.g., JSS College of Pharmacy) are eligible under Pathway 1, if the program was accredited at their graduation date

Steps to follow to become a registered pharmacist in Canada from India:

• Get your NAPRA ID, from Pharmacist’s Gateway Canada

• First get your documents evaluated by the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada)

• Once your documents evaluation is done move on to the assessment part

• If you are exempted form PEBC to give the Evaluating exam directly apply for Qualifying exam

• If no, then you must pass the Evaluating exam and once done move to Qualifying exam

• Qualifying exam has two parts- MCQ exam and OSCE exam

• Complete both these exams and enter the phase of internship based on province selected

• Finish your Jurisprudence exam pertaining the province

• Final registration as a Canadian pharmacist.

What You Must Still Do

1. Document Evaluation — REQUIRED for all international applicants. PEBC assesses whether your degree matches Canadian standards.

2. Streamlined Pathway eligibility — Determined after your documentation is reviewed

3. If approved, you can skip the Evaluating Exam and directly apply for the Pharmacist Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ)

Why This Matters for Indian Pharmacists

• Skip a major exam: No Evaluating Exam—direct progress to Qualifying MCQ.

• Faster licensure path: All candidate steps streamlined — document review → MCQ → OSCE.

• Cost and time savings: Usually 6–12 months & exam fees and prep.

• Immigration-aligned: Better timelines for licensure → provincial registration → Express Entry / PNP.

Is PEBC exam tough?

• Yes! It is a tough exam to crack but the perks of passing this exam are many as you are sure of a job in Canada waiting for you as a registered pharmacist considering the shortage of skilled professionals like Pharmacist With right guidance and preparation, you can clear the exam. Join a preparation course to help you through this journey.

Why Choose Elite Expertise PEBC preparatory course (Evaluating Exam):

• Best online coaching the international pharmacists for their licensing exams in different countries like Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand

• Beast faculty who are experienced clinical pharmacists and director at Elite Expertise, Mr Arief Mohammad and Mrs Harika Bheemavarapu.

• Comprehensive teaching material.

• Classes are both interactive and online making accessibility at its best

• Offline recorded sessions are provided too, incase you missed a class.

• Thousands of mocks to practise from get you ready for the exam day.

• It’s a 6-month course not rushing and explaining every subject and concept from scratch. Thereby very useful for working professionals and candidates with gap in their educational background.

Watch this video from our director regarding Evaluating exam: Pharmacy Evaluating Exam Canada | PEBC Tips, Exam Pattern & Syllabus Breakdown

Conclusion:

Considering Canda as a career option is one of the best decisions with good work-life balance and lucrative salaries. Canada provides a job consistency, no fear of losing a job once you are all covered. No Evaluating Exam for eligible Indian pharmacy grads from CCAPP/ACPE-accredited programs (effective May 13, 2025) but this is just for the colleges like JSS college of pharmacy. Ensure your Indian college was accredited at graduation and that you complete Document Evaluation. Once approved, focus on evaluating exam (based on approval by PEBC), MCQ prep + OSCE → then Canadian registration & practice.

Start your international career journey with Elite Expertise and we promise to stay with you until you pass your exam!

This blog is for informational purposes only and reflects our views and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, licensing requirements and regulations may change. Readers are advised to verify information with official sources such as the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) before making any decisions. We do not assume responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.

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About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise