To ensure national consistency, NAPRA, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities, will take over the administration of the bridging program this fall.
National program is equivalent to the current program
All courses will be considered equivalent, regardless of when or where they were completed. Course names and learning objectives have not changed. There is no need to retake any courses.
Candidates who have already taken some bridging courses may take the remaining course(s) in the national program without duplicating or missing any information.
Alberta program delivery
As part of the transition to the national program, delivery colleges’ agreements with ACP will cease. Schools who wish to deliver the program must enter into new agreements with NAPRA.
Alberta delivery colleges
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School |
Program delivery planned* |
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Fall 2013 – in-person courses, Pharmacology and Product Preparation online (tentatively planned to start in late September) Winter 2014 – all courses in-person and online
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|
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Fall 2013 – PLAR challenge exams only (due to low enrollment for courses) Winter 2014 – the full courses and PLAR challenge exams
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Has elected not to pursue a contract with NAPRA. They will finish their current courses and testing and then terminate the program.
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*Subject to change. Check school websites for details.
Online courses available from Selkirk College for fall 2013
Alberta students may register for the online courses offered by Selkirk College. Selkirk plans to offer all four courses online starting in late September 2013. Registration is expected to open at the end of July. Additional information will be available on the Selkirk College website and the NAPRA website as it becomes available.
Bridging courses completion deadline: December 31, 2015
The transition pathway (Path 1) does not expire until December 31, 2015. All candidates qualifying via this pathway must successfully complete all four courses of the bridging program by taking the course or passing the PLAR exam, along with the PEBC Qualifying Exam and the Demonstration of Proficiency of Product Release. Completion of bridging courses is not required before this date unless you wish to move to the Pharmacy Technician register before January 1, 2016.
See the ACP website for all details on this course delivery transition.
