Internationally educated pharmacist graduate (IEPG)

How to register as a provisional pharmacist in Alberta (for internationally educated pharmacist graduates)

If you are a pharmacist trained outside of Canada, you must meet certain requirements before you can practise in Alberta as a provisional pharmacist (intern). You must be registered with the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) and practise under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Steps to become a provisional pharmacist

1. Join Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada
   • Sign up with the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) through Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.
   • Choose the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) as your Pharmacy Regulatory Authority (PRA) and complete the engagement process.
   • If you already chose a different PRA, you must add ACP to your profile.
2. Meet the English language fluency requirements
   • Upload proof of your English language fluency to your Gateway Canada profile.
   • Your English test results must be from within the past two years.
3. Complete one of the following
   • Pass Part 1 (MCQ) or Part 2 (OSCE) of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exam (results must be from within the past three years).
     OR
   • Complete the Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CCPP) program from the University of Alberta.
   • You will need to complete MCQ, OSCE and the CCPP program prior to becoming a pharmacist on the clinical register in Alberta.
   • Note: You are not required to complete the CCPP if
     • you completed a Doctor of Pharmacy program in the United States that’s approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), OR
     • you passed Parts 1 and 2 of the PEBC Qualifying Exams on your first try.
4. Gather your documents
   • Prepare the initial registration documents.
   • Include proof that you passed the MCQ, OSCE, or completed the CCPP program.
   • Make sure all documents are in PDF format.
5. Fill out the application
   • Go to your myACP account and find the application to the provisional pharmacist register under New applications.
   • Upload your documents and submit the application. Your application is not complete until all supporting documentation has been uploaded and you have submitted the application.
6. Wait for a decision
   • ACP will review your application in the order it’s received.
   • It may take up to 15 business days.
   • If something is missing, your application will be delayed or refused.
   • ACP will email you when a decision is made or if they need more information.
7. Pay the fees
   • If your application is approved, you must pay online using
     • Visa,
     • Visa Debit,
     • Mastercard, or
     • Debit Mastercard.
   • You have 30 days to pay. If you don’t pay within 30 days, your application will expire, and you’ll have to start over.
   • The college’s fees are outlined in the ACP fee schedule. 
8. Get your practice permit
   • After you pay, your practice permit will be available in your myACP profile.
   • Most provisional pharmacist permits last two years, beginning on the date the practice permit is issued.
   • You cannot start practising as a provisional pharmacist until you are notified from the college that your practice permit has been issued.

What’s next?

After you finish all the entry-to-practice requirements to become a pharmacist, you can apply to join the clinical pharmacist register in Alberta.