{"id":49381,"date":"2022-03-03T09:30:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T14:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49381"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:01:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:01:08","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-pharmacist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-pharmacist\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take to become a pharmacist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A career as a pharmacist can be rewarding and allow you to make an impact on the health of your community. As a pharmacist, you\u2019ll be in charge of looking over patient medications and making sure they are dosed correctly. You\u2019ll guide patients on how to take their medications and educate them on possible <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> or drug interactions. You might even act as a coach to ensure your patients are taking their medications every day and leading healthy lives with a good diet and enough exercise. Pharmacy might be the career you\u2019re looking to pursue. But, how long does it take to become a pharmacist? Continue reading to learn how long it takes and what it takes to become a pharmacist.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take to become a pharmacist?<\/h2>\n

It can take six to eight years to become a pharmacist after graduating from high school. However, it can take longer if you wish to specialize in a specific area of pharmacy. For example, you may need to take on an extra year or two of residency to work as a clinical or hospital pharmacist. Other factors can also play into how long it takes to become a pharmacist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pharmacist educational requirements<\/h2>\n

How long it takes to become a pharmacist depends on what educational track you pursue. If you have your sights set on becoming a pharmacist, you can fast-track your pharmacy education right out of high school. You can undertake a six-year Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) program that typically includes pre-pharmacy studies and professional pharmacy coursework.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It can take eight years of college to become a pharmacist after high school if you decide to get a four-year bachelor\u2019s degree before applying to a four-year Pharm.D. program. In general, completing a pharmacy degree in six years is more intense than completing it in eight years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Complete pre-pharmacy requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pharmacy schools don\u2019t require that you have a particular undergraduate degree. However, many schools require that you take relevant coursework to prepare you for a career in pharmacy. <\/span>Pharmacy school prerequisite courses<\/span><\/a> may include biochemistry, calculus, and anatomy, among others. People who pursue a pre-med or pre-pharmacy track are often well-prepared to tackle pharmacy school. If you have any doubts, you can also talk to your school\u2019s academic adviser for guidance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Time it takes: Two to four years of undergraduate study<\/b><\/p>\n

2. Apply for pharmacy school<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re researching potential pharmacy schools to attend, you should make sure that the school is accredited by the <\/span>Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)<\/span><\/a>. Some pharmacy schools will require the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) to enter their program while others consider it optional. In some cases, your PCAT score can help bolster your application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After submitting your application, the school of pharmacy may call you for an interview. They may also ask you why you chose to pursue pharmacy and whether you have any relevant volunteer or work experience in a pharmacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Complete pharmacy school<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pharmacy degree programs include a mix of didactic and experiential learning. In other words, you\u2019ll learn the foundations of pharmacy in a classroom setting and then apply what you learned through practical experiences in a real pharmacy. Those hours spent in that experiential, practical setting can count towards the clinical internship hours required to receive a license from the state board. Pharmacy programs can be rigorous, and they typically include classes like pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and pharmacokinetics. After completion of the program, you\u2019ll earn your Pharm.D., Doctor of Pharmacy degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Time it takes: Four years of postgraduate study, including 1,500 hours of clinical internship<\/b><\/p>\n

4. Get licensed as a pharmacist<\/span><\/h3>\n

To be a licensed pharmacist in the U.S., you\u2019ll have to complete requirements as determined by your state. Requirements may include:<\/span><\/p>\n