Chapter 4729:1-2 | Licensing of Pharmacists

Rule 4729:1-2-01 | Criteria for licensure by examination.

• Effective: September 15, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Pursuant to sections 4729.07 and 4729.13 of the Revised Code, pharmacist licensure by examination shall consist of the "North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination" (NAPLEX) and the "Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination" (MPJE).

(1) The minimum passing score on each examination is seventy-five.

(a) Any candidate who fails to receive a score of seventy-five on the NAPLEX examination shall make application and remit the fee established by the state board of pharmacy for re-examination.

(b) Any candidate who fails to receive a score of seventy-five on the MPJE jurisprudence examination shall make application and remit the fee established by the state board of pharmacy for re-examination.

(B) A candidate may use the NABP process to transfer the candidate's NAPLEX score to Ohio only after the candidate has met all of the requirements set by the board for examination and licensure in Ohio.

(C) Pursuant to section 4729.08 of the Revised Code, graduates of unapproved schools or colleges of pharmacy located outside the United States who are using an approved examination to establish equivalency of their education shall:

(1) Obtain a score no lower than seventy-five on the "Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE)"; and

(2) Show oral proficiency in English by successful completion of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based test" (TOEFL iBT) pursuant to rule 4729:1-2-04 of the Administrative Code.

(D) Any examination candidate who fails to take both of the required examinations pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule within twelve months from the date the board receives the application materials shall submit a new application for the required examination or examinations and remit the fee established by the board, as the original application shall be deemed abandoned.

(E) The record of the passing score for an examination candidate who takes both of the required examinations pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule, but successfully only completes one examination will:

(1) Be maintained up to three years if no more than twelve months has elapsed between attempts to successfully complete the remaining examination.

(2) Not be maintained if more than twelve months has elapsed between attempts to successfully complete the remaining examination. It will then be necessary for the examination candidate to repeat both examinations for Ohio licensure.

(F) Any candidate who has requested to transfer their NAPLEX score to Ohio must take the MPJE within twelve months from the date the candidate completed the NAPLEX examination or the score transfer will be denied.

(G) Pursuant to section 4729.071 of the Revised Code, a candidate must submit electronic or ink fingerprint impressions for a criminal records check prior to receiving an initial license to practice as a pharmacist. An examination candidate must submit fingerprint impressions no later than twelve months after the date the board receives the application materials or the scores obtained on the NAPLEX and/or MPJE will be denied. After twelve months, a candidate must submit a new application, the required fee, fingerprint impressions, and new examination scores.

(H) Candidates shall be limited to a total of five attempts to pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE. The board may grant one additional attempt to pass the NAPLEX and the MPJE in the event of extraordinary circumstances. A candidate that exceeds the limits set forth in this paragraph is no longer eligible to obtain licensure as a pharmacist pursuant to this rule.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 4776.03
Amplifies: 4729.07, 4729.071, 4729.08, 4729.13, 4776.01, 4776.02, 4776.04
Five Year Review Date: 3/14/2023
Prior Effective Dates: 1/26/1993, 1/1/2004

Rule 4729:1-2-02 | Criteria for licensure by reciprocity.

• Effective: April 25, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) An applicant seeking licensure as a pharmacist by reciprocity shall comply with all the following:

(1) Be at least eighteen years of age.

(2) Obtain a degree in pharmacy from a school of pharmacy approved by the state board of pharmacy.

(3) Have met the applicable practical experience requirements by either:

(a) Successfully graduating after December 31, 2006 with a doctor of pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.) from a school of pharmacy approved by the state board of pharmacy; or

(b) Obtaining a total of at least one thousand seven hundred and forty hours of documented supervised practical experience in Ohio or any other state or jurisdiction in which the credentials are at least the equivalent of those required by this state at the time the experience was obtained. If the reciprocating state or jurisdiction requires less than the required hours, the board may grant internship credit for practice as a pharmacist.

(4) Hold an active license or registration to practice pharmacy, which is in good standing, in a state or jurisdiction in which the credentials are at least the equivalent of those required by this state. Certification of these credentials shall be filed on forms provided by the national association of boards of pharmacy (NABP) or similar forms recognized and approved by the board.

(B) An applicant who has met the requirements of the state or jurisdiction with which the applicant holds a certificate of good standing pursuant to a "Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission (FPGEC)" certificate shall be required to establish proficiency in spoken English by providing evidence of the successful completion of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based test" (TOEFL iBT) pursuant to rule 4729:1-2-04 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Candidates who qualify for licensure by reciprocity shall personally appear before the full board within six months of the date that the application is filed with the board. Candidates who do not appear before the board within the six-month period must file a new application and fee for licensure by reciprocity, as the original application shall be deemed abandoned.

(D) Pursuant to section 4729.071 of the Revised Code, a candidate must submit electronic or ink fingerprint impressions for a criminal records check prior to receiving an initial license to practice as a pharmacist. A reciprocity candidate must submit fingerprint impressions no later than twelve months after the date the board receives the application materials. After twelve months, a candidate must submit a new application, the required fee, fingerprint impressions, and again personally appear before the board as described in this paragraph (C) of this rule.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 4776.03, 9.79
Amplifies: 4729.071, 4729.09, 4776.01, 4776.02, 4776.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/25/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 9/15/2017

Rule 4729:1-2-03 | Examination application for licensure as a pharmacist.

• Effective: September 15, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each person seeking to apply to take the examinations for licensure as a pharmacist shall submit the required application materials and fees to the national association of boards of pharmacy (NABP) and the following to the state board of pharmacy:

(1) A completed application form as provided by the board;

(2) A head and shoulders passport photograph (two by two inches) taken within the previous six months;

(3) Required fee; and

(4) Either of the following:

(a) A certificate of education completed and certified by an approved school of pharmacy documenting the successful graduation of the applicant with a doctor of pharmacy degree obtained after December 31, 2006; or

(b) The required hours of supervised practical experience pursuant to rule 4729:2-2-05 of the Administrative Code, and either:

(i) A certificate of education completed and certified by an approved school of pharmacy documenting the successful graduation of the applicant; or

(ii) Certification of having established educational equivalency by obtaining a "Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Commission" (FPGEC) certificate and evidence of successful completion of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)" pursuant to rule 4729:1-2-04 of the Administrative Code.

(B) The state board of pharmacy may make an applicant eligible to take the required examinations as soon as the board receives all the items set forth in paragraph (A) of this rule.

(C) The state board of pharmacy may deny admission to the licensure examination.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.07, 4729.08
Five Year Review Date: 3/14/2023
Prior Effective Dates: 4/27/2007, 10/27/2011

Rule 4729:1-2-04 | Successful completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test.

• Effective: September 15, 2017
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Successful completion of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based test" (TOEFL iBT) shall be the following minimum scores or higher:

(A) Writing: twenty-four;

(B) Speaking: twenty-six;

(C) Listening: twenty-one; and

(D) Reading: twenty-two.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:23 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.08
Five Year Review Date: 9/18/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2006

Rule 4729:1-2-05 | Criminal records check for pharmacists.

• Effective: March 1, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Pursuant to section 4729.071 of the Revised Code, an applicant seeking an initial license as a pharmacist by examination or reciprocity must first submit fingerprint impressions to the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation (BCI&I) for a criminal records check.

(B) Pursuant to section 4776.02 of the Revised Code, the criminal records check performed by BCI&I shall consist of both a BCI&I criminal records check and a federal bureau of investigation (FBI) criminal records check. BCI&I shall send the results of the BCI&I and FBI criminal records checks directly to the state board of pharmacy.

(C) The state board of pharmacy requires that the criminal records check:

(1) Be based on electronic fingerprint impressions that are submitted directly to BCI&I from a WebCheck provider agency or ink impressions. The state board of pharmacy may accept the results of a criminal records check based on ink impressions only in the following circumstances:

(a) Readable electronic fingerprint impressions cannot be obtained or are rejected by either BCI&I or FBI;

(b) The applicant is from out-of-state;

(c) The applicant's home address is seventy-five miles or more from the nearest WebCheck location.

(2) Results will only be considered valid if the fingerprint impressions were obtained within one year of the date the application is received by the board.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:23 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4776.03, 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.071, 4776.04, 4776.02, 4776.01
Five Year Review Date: 9/18/2028

Rule 4729:1-2-06 | Pharmacist change of name, address or employment.

• Effective: March 1, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) A pharmacist, who has a legal change of name, shall notify the board of pharmacy, in a manner determined by the board, within thirty days from the effective date of such change. Such notification of a name change shall be accompanied by one of the following:

(1) A notarized affidavit;

(2) A certified copy of a court record; or

(3) A certified copy of a marriage certificate.

(B) Requests for a duplicate wall certificate shall be issued in the new name of the pharmacist and shall be accompanied by the following:

(1) The wall certificate issued in the original name; and

(2) The required fee.

(C) Upon receipt of the required documents and fee pursuant to paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule, the board will forward the duplicate wall certificate issued in the pharmacist's new name.

(D) A pharmacist who changes their mailing or email address shall notify the board of pharmacy, in a manner determined by the board, of the new address within thirty days after the effective date of such change.

(E) A pharmacist who changes their place of employment shall notify the board of pharmacy, in a manner determined by the board, of the address of the principal place where they practice, including pharmacist placement services, within thirty days after they have commenced such practice.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.12
Five Year Review Date: 3/1/2023
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/1994

Rule 4729:1-2-07 | Pharmacist licensure and renewal.

• Effective: March 1, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Upon the effective date of this rule:

(1) A pharmacist license issued by the state board of pharmacy in accordance with Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code entitles the individual to whom it is issued to practice as a pharmacist until the next annual renewal date.

(2) A pharmacist license shall be renewed annually on the fifteenth day of September.

(3) An individual who fails to renew their license by the fifteenth day of September shall not engage in the practice of pharmacy until a valid license is issued by the board.

(4) In accordance with section 4729.15 of the Revised Code, the annual renewal fee shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars.

(B) Effective May 1, 2019:

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (B)(2) of this rule, a pharmacist license issued by the state board of pharmacy in accordance with Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code entitles the individual to whom it is issued to practice as a pharmacist until the next renewal date.

(2) An initial pharmacist license issued by the state board of pharmacy on or after the first of May of every odd-numbered year in accordance with Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code entitles the individual to whom it is issued to practice as a pharmacist until the renewal date immediately following the next required renewal date.

(3) A pharmacist license shall be renewed on the fifteenth day of September of every odd-numbered year.

(4) An individual who fails to renew their license by the fifteenth day of September of every odd-numbered year shall not engage in the practice of pharmacy until a valid license is issued by the board.

(5) In accordance with section 4729.15 of the Revised Code, the renewal fee shall be two hundred fifty dollars.

(C) Paragraph (A) of this rule is no longer applicable effective May 1, 2019.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 4729.12
Amplifies: 4729.08, 4729.09
Five Year Review Date: 3/1/2023

Rule 4729:1-2-08 | Veteran and military family provisions related to pharmacist licensure.

• Effective: March 1, 2018
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Renewal of an expired license.

(1) In accordance with section 5903.10 of the Revised Code, a holder of an expired license shall be granted a renewal of the license by the state board of pharmacy at the usual cost without penalty and without re-examination if not otherwise disqualified because of mental or physical disability and if either of the following applies:

(a) The license was not renewed because of the holder's service in the armed forces.

(b) The license was not renewed because the holder's spouse served in the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces and the service resulted in the holder's absence from this state.

(2) A pharmacist shall submit proper documentation certifying the active duty service and length of active duty service. Documentation required to obtain a renewal pursuant to paragraph (A)(1) of this rule will be published on the state board of pharmacy's website: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov.

(B) The state board of pharmacy may implement fee waivers for licensure. If implemented, fee waivers will be published on the state board of pharmacy's web site: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov.

(C) Substantially equivalent education.

In accordance with section 5903.03 of the Revised Code, there are no military programs of training or military primary specialties which are substantially equivalent to the education requirements for licensure as a pharmacist.

Last updated September 18, 2023 at 4:23 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 5903.04
Amplifies: 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15
Five Year Review Date: 9/18/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/20/2015

Rule 4729:1-2-09 | Expedited pharmacist licensure for members of the military and spouses who are licensed in another jurisdiction.

• Effective: November 15, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) As used in this rule:

(1) "Military duty" has the same meaning as in section 4743.041 of the Revised Code.

(2) "In good standing" means an applicant to which both the following apply:

(a) Has not been denied a license, registration or certificate by any public agency or licensing agency; and

(b) Does not have a license, registration or certificate limited, suspended, or revoked by any public agency or licensing agency.

(B) To meet the requirements set forth in section 4743.041 of the Revised Code, the state board of pharmacy shall issue an expedited license to a pharmacist applicant if the individual or the individuals spouse is on military duty in this state and the applicant complies with all the following:

(1) The individual holds a valid license or other authorization to practice as a pharmacist issued by any other state or jurisdiction. Certification of these credentials shall be filed on forms provided by the national association of boards of pharmacy (NABP) or similar forms recognized and approved by the board.

(2) The individual shall be in good standing in the state or jurisdiction of licensure.

(3) The individual presents adequate proof to the board, in accordance with paragraph (G) of this rule, that the individual or the individual's spouse is on military duty in this state.

(4) The individual complies with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. An applicant shall submit fingerprint impressions for a criminal records check in accordance with rule 4729:1-2-05 of the Administrative Code.

(C) The board shall, within twenty-four hours after receiving the report under division (A) of section 4776.04 of the Revised Code, notify an individual applying for an expedited license in accordance with this rule that the board has received the results of a criminal records check.

(D) The board shall issue an expedited pharmacist license under this rule, provided that the applicant meets the requirements of this rule, within fourteen days of having received the results of a criminal records check. The board shall not be required to issue an expedited license if any of the following apply:

(1) The applicant fails to meet the application requirements set forth in this rule or section 4743.041 of the Revised Code.

(2) The applicant is under investigation by the licensing agency of any other state or jurisdiction.

(3) The applicant is in violation of any provision section 4729.16 of the Revised Code or rules adopted thereunder.

(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code or Administrative Code, the board shall waive or refund all fees associated with the issuance of an initial expedited license issued under this rule. Additional fee waivers or refunds shall be granted in accordance with other provisions of the Revised Code, Administrative Code, and board resolution.

(F) All licenses issued pursuant to this rule shall comply with the licensure renewal requirements set forth in Chapter 4729:1-2 of the Administrative Code.

(G) Pursuant to section 5903.04 of the Revised Code:

(1) A pharmacist shall submit proper documentation necessary to determine if the applicant is a service member or veteran, or the spouse or surviving spouse of a service member or veteran. Documentation requirements shall be published on the state board of pharmacy's website: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov.

(2) The board's executive director or the director's designee shall design a process to record, track, and monitor applications that have been received from a service member, veteran, or the spouse or surviving spouse of a service member or veteran.

(3) The board's executive director or the director's designee shall design a process to prioritize and expedite certification or licensing for each applicant who is a service member, veteran, or the spouse or a surviving spouse of a service member or veteran.

Last updated November 15, 2021 at 8:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 4743.04, 4743.041, 5903.04
Amplifies: 4729.12, 4729.15
Five Year Review Date: 11/15/2026

Rule 4729:1-2-10 | Emeritus pharmacists.

• Effective: November 8, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) As used in this rule:

(1) "Emeritus pharmacist" means an individual who meets all the following:

(a) Is currently or has been licensed to practice pharmacy in this state for at least ten years;

(b) Is retired from the practice of pharmacy;

(c) Is in good standing;

(d) Is at least sixty years old; and

(e) Has applied for an emeritus designation in accordance with this rule.

(2) "In good standing" means a pharmacist to which all the following apply at the time of application:

(a) Does not have a board order restricting the privilege of supervising interns;

(b) Has not been denied a license, registration or certificate by any public agency or licensing agency;

(c) Does not have a license, registration or certificate limited, suspended, or revoked by any public agency or licensing agency.

(B) Any person that meets the requirements in paragraph (A)(1) of this rule may apply to the board for emeritus designation.

(C) To apply for emeritus designation, a pharmacist shall submit a form containing information as required by the board and in a manner determined by the board.

(D) There shall be no fee associated with applying for or maintaining an emeritus designation.

(E) The emeritus designation is not a license to engage in the practice of pharmacy.

(1) Emeritus pharmacists shall not engage in the practice of pharmacy.

(2) Upon issuance of an emeritus designation, a license authorizing the person to practice pharmacy shall be considered void and may only be renewed or reinstated in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code and this chapter of the Administrative Code.

(F) The continuing education requirements of Chapter 4729:1-5 of the Administrative Code are not applicable to an emeritus pharmacist.

(G) An emeritus pharmacist shall not be subject to the licensure renewal requirements or renewal fees pursuant to this chapter.

(H) The board may refuse to issue or may revoke an emeritus designation for acts or conduct that are in violation of any provision of Chapters 4729., 3719., 3796., 3715., and 2925. of the Revised Code or Chapter 4729:1-4 of the Administrative Code. The decision to refuse to issue or revoke an emeritus designation is not subject to hearing rights or appeal under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated November 8, 2021 at 8:17 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 4729.15
Amplifies: 4729.12
Five Year Review Date: 11/8/2026