Applying to ACP

New graduates

Step 1: CCAPP-accredited training program

• Complete a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician training program.

Step 2: Register with ACP

• Register with ACP on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register.

Step 3: Structured Practical Training (SPT)

• Complete ACP's Structured Practical Training (SPT) program.
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to complete the SPT program.

Step 4: Jurisprudence Learning Module

• Complete the ACP jurisprudence learning module.
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to complete the module.
• If you completed the jurisprudence learning module prior to January 17, 2021, you must also complete the two mandatory online courses on protecting patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct prior to applying to the pharmacy technician register.
• If you completed the jurisprudence learning module after January 17, 2021, the new version of the jurisprudence learning module includes the two mandatory courses.

Step 5: Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam

• Successfully complete the Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam.
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to write this exam.
• You do not have to complete SPT hours or the PEBC Qualifying Exam prior to writing the Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam.

Step 6: PEBC Qualifying Exam

• Successfully complete the PEBC Qualifying Exam.
• If you have already passed the PEBC Qualifying Exam in another Canadian province, you do not have to rewrite it in Alberta.
• You do not have to complete SPT hours or the Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam prior to sitting the PEBC Qualifying Exam.
• PEBC Qualifying Exam results must be current within 3 years at the time of application for initial pharmacy technician licensure. If exam results exceed the 3 year limit, the provisional pharmacy technician will be required to retake both Part I and Part II of the PEBC Qualifying Exam prior to initial licensure in Alberta.

Step 7: Register on the Pharmacy Technician Register

• Once you've met all requirements, submit the completed application form for the Pharmacy Technician Register, supporting documentation and associated fees to the ACP office via mail or fax.
• Starting June 1, 2021, along with your application, you must submit evidence of completing the two mandatory online courses on protecting patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct to comply with Bill 21 – An Act to Protect Patients. As part of your application, you may submit either
  • The two certificates obtained from completing the
    1. AFRHP course: Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct AND
    2. ACP course: Standards of Practice - Sexual abuse and Sexual Misconduct;
    OR
  • The certificate for completing the new Jurisprudence Learning Module (JLM), which includes the two courses; the new JLM was implemented in January 2021.
• You must have personal malpractice insurance (one million dollars) in place at the time of application (insurance providers are listed on the application form).
• Allow 15 business days for application processing.

Registering on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register

Step 1: Application form

• Please submit a completed application form. Follow the checklist on page 1.

Step 2: One endorsed passport sized photo

• To endorse the photo, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true likeness of [applicant's name]" on the back of the photo and signs below.

Step 3: An endorsed copy of a Canadian birth certificate, Canada passport, or valid working papers

• To endorse a copy, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true copy" on the back of the document and signs below.
• You must be able to legally work in Canada before applying to the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register.

Step 4: An endorsed copy of your college diploma from a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program

• To endorse a copy, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true copy" on the back of the document and signs below.

Step 5: Criminal record check

• Provide an original copy of a criminal record check.
• Criminal record checks are available from the city police department, local RCMP detachment, or BackCheck online.
• Vulnerable sector search and finger printing are not required.

Step 6: Two letters of character reference

• Must be written within the last 12 months
• May be written by anyone except family members
• Should be written by someone who has known you for at least one year
• Must include the reference's name, contact information, and signature, as well as how long the reference has known you, in what capacity they have known you, and a statement about your good character

Step 7: Fee payment

• View the current fee schedule

Questions?

registrationinfo@abpharmacy.ca
780-990-0321 or toll-free at 1-877-227-3838

Applications must be submitted to the ACP office via mail or fax. Email applications will not be accepted.

International pharmacy technicians

Step 1:  Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Evaluation Process

• Requirements for the evaluation process can be found on the PEBC website.

Step 2:  Successfully Complete the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCQ)

• See the PEBC website for information regarding registration for the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam.

Step 3:  Successfully complete one of the following courses:

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) IPHE101 Course “Orientation to Canadian Healthcare”

OR

• University of Toronto (U of T) Course 3645 “Canadian Health Care System, Culture and Context for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals”

Step 4: Proof of English language fluency

• ACP will accept any of the English language fluency scores approved by NAPRA. 
• English language fluency scores must be current within two years at the time of provisional registration with ACP.

Step 5: Proof of eligibility to work in Canada

Acceptable proof of eligibility to work in Canada is any one of

• an open work permit (this means no conditions that would restrict employment within the pharmacy profession),
• Permanent Resident Card,
• Canadian citizenship card or certificate,
• Canadian passport, or
• Canadian birth certificate.

Step 6: Register with ACP

• Register with ACP on the provisional pharmacy technician register.

Step 7: Structured Practical Training (SPT)

• Complete ACP's Structured Practical Training (SPT) program.
• You must be registered on the provisional pharmacy technician register to begin SPT.

Step 8: Jurisprudence Learning Module

• Complete the ACP jurisprudence learning module.
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to complete the module.
• If you completed the jurisprudence learning module prior to January 17, 2021, you must also complete the two mandatory online courses on protecting patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct prior to applying to the pharmacy technician register.
• If you completed the jurisprudence learning module after January 17, 2021, the new version of the jurisprudence learning module includes the two mandatory courses.

Step 9: Jurisprudence Exam

• Successfully complete ACP's Jurisprudence Exam.
• You must be registered on the provisional pharmacy technician register to write this exam.

Step 10: PEBC Qualifying Exam

• Successfully complete the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Exam Part II (OSPE).
• If you have already passed the PEBC Qualifying Exam prior to registering with ACP, you do not have to rewrite the exam providing it is current within three years.
• PEBC Qualifying Exam results must be current within three years at the time of initial application to ACP and at application for pharmacy technician licensure. If exam results exceed the three-year limit, the provisional pharmacy technician will be required to retake Part I and Part II of the PEBC Qualifying Exam prior to initial licensure in Alberta.  

Step 11: Register on the pharmacy technician register

• Once you've met all requirements, submit the completed application form for the Pharmacy Technician Register, supporting documentation and associated fees to the ACP office via mail or fax.
• Starting June 1, 2021, along with your application, you must submit evidence of completing the two mandatory online courses on protecting patients from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct to comply with Bill 21 – An Act to Protect Patients. As part of your application, you may submit either
  • The two certificates obtained from completing the
    1. AFRHP course: Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct AND
    2. ACP course: Standards of Practice - Sexual abuse and Sexual Misconduct;
    OR
  • The certificate for completing the new Jurisprudence Learning Module (JLM), which includes the two courses; the new JLM was implemented in January 2021.
• You must have personal malpractice professional liability insurance ($1 million) in place at the time of application (insurance providers are listed on the application form).

Note:  Steps 7 through 10 can be completed in any order.

Registering on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register

Application form

• Submit a completed application form. Follow the checklist on page 1.

One endorsed passport sized photo

• To endorse the photo, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true likeness of [applicant's name]" on the back of the photo and signs below

An endorsed copy of a Canadian birth certificate, Canada passport, or valid working papers

• To endorse a copy, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true copy" on the back of the document and signs below.
• You must be able to legally work in Canada before applying to the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register.

An endorsed copy of the PEBC letter stating successful completion of the Evaluating Exam.

• To endorse a copy, the guarantor writes, "I certify that this is a true copy" on the back of the document and signs below.

Criminal record check

• Provide an original copy of a criminal record check.
• Criminal record checks are available from the city police department, local RCMP detachment, or online at BackCheck. 
• Vulnerable sector search and finger printing are not required.

NAPRA approved English language fluency score

• An original copy (photocopies and endorsed copies not accepted) of an NAPRA approved English language fluency score.

Two letters of character reference

• Must be written within the last 12 months
• May be written by anyone except family members
• Should be written by someone who has known you for at least one year
• Must include the reference's name, contact information, and signature, as well as how long the reference has known you, in what capacity they have known you, and a statement about your good character

Declaration of Guarantor form

• Submit a declaration of guarantor form with your letters of character reference.
• If you don't know anyone who meets the requirement to be a guarantor, a commissioner for oaths, notary public, or lawyer may sign the copies of your documents (declaration of guarantor form not required.)

Fee payment

• View the current fee schedule.

Questions?

registrationinfo@abpharmacy.ca
780-990-0321 or toll-free at 1-877-227-3838

Applications must be submitted to the ACP office via mail or fax. Email applications will not be accepted.

If you are a fully regulated, practicing pharmacy technician in good standing from another Canadian province or territory, you are eligible to register as a pharmacy technician in Alberta through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

Becoming a pharmacy technician in Alberta

Step 1: Register with ACP

• Register with ACP on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register
• Provide a letter of good standing from your current provincial regulatory authority; this may accompany the registration package or be sent directly to ACP from your provincial regulatory authority

Step 2: Jurisprudence Learning Module

• Complete the ACP jurisprudence learning module.
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to complete the module.
• Upon completion, print the certificate as you will need to submit this along with your application to the pharmacy technician register.

Step 3: Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam

• Successfully complete the Ethics & Jurisprudence Exam
• You must be registered on the Provisional Pharmacy Technician Register to write this exam

Step 4: Register on the Pharmacy Technician Register

• Once you've met all requirements, submit the completed application form for the Pharmacy Technician Register, supporting documentation and associated fees to the ACP office via mail or fax.
• You must have personal malpractice insurance (one million dollars) in place at the time of application (insurance providers are listed on the application form)
• Allow 15 business days for application processing