Licensure Examination 101 
        
       What exams are required for licensure? 
       The most common examinations required are the North American Pharmacists Licensure 
       Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE); 
       however, the examinations required vary by state.  For example, the State of Virginia utilizes the 
       Virginia Pharmacy Law Examination instead of the MPJE; the State of Georgia requires the 
       Georgia Practical Examination in addition to the NAPLEX and MPJE.  Students are encouraged 
       to visit the web of Board of Pharmacy (BOP) for the state in which licensure will be sought to 
       find specific information about obtaining licensure in that state.  A listing of all Boards of 
       Pharmacy can be found on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website. 
        
       The NAPLEX is developed by the NABP and is utilized by the BOPs to assess the entry-level 
       competence of candidates for licensure. Questions are asked in a scenario-based format (ie, 
       patient profiles with accompanying test questions). To properly analyze and answer the questions 
       presented, you must refer to the information provided in the patient profile. Interspersed among 
       the profile-based questions are “stand-alone questions,” whose answers are drawn solely from 
       the information provided in the question. 
        
       The MPJE combines federal- and state-specific law questions to serve as the state law 
       examination in participating jurisdictions.  It is based on a nationally uniform content blueprint, 
       with questions that are tailored to assess the pharmacy jurisprudence requirements of individual 
       states.  The content of the MPJE is approved by boards of pharmacy, practitioners, and educators 
       from around the country through their service as MPJE Review Committee members, item 
       writers, and board of pharmacy representatives.  The MPJE tests candidates on their mastery of 
       pharmacy law as outlined in the MPJE Competency Statements.  Each participating state board 
       of pharmacy approves those questions that are specific to the federal and state laws of the 
       jurisdictions in which candidates are seeking licensure. Note given the inclusion of state specific 
       law on the MPJE, candidates must take a separate examination for each state or jurisdiction in 
       which they are seeking licensure.   
        
       What is the structure of the exams? 
       The NAPLEX is a computer-adaptive tests consisting of 185 questions for which you are given 
       about 4 hours to complete.  One hundred fifty questions are used to determine scores on the 
       exam while the remaining 35 questions are experimental and not used in the calculation of 
       scores.  Many of the questions are asked in a scenario-based format. (For example, a patient 
       profile is provided, and you must answer a series of questions related to the profile.)  
        
       The NAPLEX is divided into two areas that focus on the competencies that an entry-level 
       pharmacist should possess.  The areas and relative percentage of the exam are:   Ensure Safe and 
       Effective Pharmacotherapy and Health Outcomes - (67% of test), and Safe and Accurate 
       Preparation, Compounding, Dispensing and Administration of Medications and Provision of 
       Health Care Products (33% of test).  The content blueprint for the NAPLEX can be found on the 
       NABP website.   
        
       You must answer at least 162 questions in order to have a score calculated.  Note: failing to 
       answer all 185 questions does result in a penalty and adjustment to score based on number of 
       questions not answered. The results of the test range from 0 to 150 with 75 being the minimum 
       passing score (this is a calculated scored and not a percentage). 
         
        The MPJE is also a computer-adaptive test.  It is a 2 hour examination consisting of 90 
        questions with 75 questions being used to determine scores and 30 questions being experimental.  
        A minimum of 80 questions must be answered to receive a score; the minimum passing score is 
        75 (a calculated score and not a percentage). 
         
        Computer-adaptive tests (CAT) utilize computer technology to assess a response to a question 
        and then use that information to select the next test question. The computer will then select an 
        item suited to your estimated ability level from the test’s item pool. Your ability level will be 
        estimated from a combination of your responses (right and wrong answers) and the difficulty 
        level of the questions that you were assigned. Ability estimates are used to produce scaled 
        scores, which are subsequently reported to your intended boards of pharmacy.   Note that due to 
        the manner in which CAT exams function, it is not possible to change an answer once it has been 
        submitted and questions cannot be skipped. 
         
        When and where are the exams given? 
        The NAPLEX and the MPJE are administered daily, except for Sundays and holidays, at Pearson 
        Vue Professional Centers across the United States.  The five closest Pearson testing centers to 
        GCOP are Johnson City, Knoxville, Greenville, SC, Asheville, NC and Charlotte, NC.  It is not 
        necessary that you physically take an exam in the state in which you are seeking licensure. 
         
        How do I register for the exams? 
        Registration for the NAPLEX and MPJE is done online at NABP.  You may register for the 
        exam at any time, however, permission to take the exam is granted by the BOP of the state in 
        which you plan to seek licensure.  You must submit an application for licensure by examination 
        to the BOP, along with the appropriate fee in addition to registering for the exams. Once the 
        BOP has approved your application, it notifies the NABP and you will be issued an 
        Authorization to Test (ATT) by Pearson Vue.  The ATT provides you with information and 
        instructions for scheduling an examination. 
         
        How much do the exams cost? 
        The NAPLEX costs $505 and the MPJE costs $250. 
         
        Is financial aid available to assist with paying for the exams? 
        Student budgets for the spring semester include the cost of the exams automatically. 
         
        What happens after the exam? 
        Scores may be accessed electronically through the NABP website.  The Board of Pharmacy 
        listed as your primary state automatically received results.  If a passing score is received, the 
        BOP will issue a license. 
         
        What is the typical passage rate on the exams? 
        The national pass rate for 1st time test takers is typically in the mid 90% range.  GCOP students 
        as a cohort have annually exceeded the national rated.  Passage rates for individual schools can 
        be found on the NABP web site.