Internationally educated pharmacist graduate (IEPG)

If you are an internationally educated pharmacist, you must meet the requirements indicated below to be eligible to apply to the provisional pharmacist register. Registration with ACP is required to practise as a provisional pharmacist (intern) under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

Follow these steps to register as a provisional pharmacist:  

1. Enroll in the NAPRA Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada.
   • Ensure you have chosen the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) as your designated Pharmacy Regulatory Authority (PRA) and have completed the engagement process. If you have previously chosen a different PRA, you will be required to add ACP as an additional PRA on your Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada profile.

2. Meet the English language fluency requirements.
   • Evidence of English language fluency must be added to your Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada profile. English language fluency results must be current within two years at the time of application to the provisional pharmacist register.

3. Complete one of the following to be eligible for the provisional pharmacist register:
   • The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCQ).
   • The PEBC Qualifying Exam Part 2 (OSCE).
     • The PEBC result must be current within three years at the time of application.
   • OR the University of Alberta’s Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice (CCPP) program.
     • You must complete the CCPP program prior to starting Level 3 of the Structured Practical Training (SPT) program.
   • You still need to complete all requirements above prior to becoming a pharmacist on the clinical register in Alberta.
     • As of June 1, 2024, you are not required to complete the CCPP program if you completed
       • a Doctor of Pharmacy program in the United States accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), or
       • the PEBC Qualifying Exams (Parts 1 and 2) on your first attempt.

4. Prepare your supporting documentation. All documents must be in PDF format.
   • Provide evidence of successful completion of the MCQ, OSCE, or CCPP program.
   • Prepare the initial registration documents.

5. Complete and submit your application.
   • Once you are ready to apply, complete the following steps:
     • Access the application to the provisional pharmacist register (in myACP). All applications can be found in the Catalog.
     • The application will require you to upload the supporting documentation you prepared in Step 5. Your application is not complete until all supporting documentation has been uploaded and you have submitted the application.

6. Application decision.
   • Complete applications are reviewed in the order in which they are submitted and may take up to 15 business days to assess and process. Incomplete applications will result in further delays. 
   • ACP will notify you via email once a decision has been made or if we have any questions regarding your application.

7. Provide your payment.
   • If approved, you will be required to provide payment online. The college’s fees are outlined in the ACP fee schedule. Only the following payment methods will be accepted:
     • Visa, and
     • Mastercard.
   • Payment must be provided within 30 days of your approval, or your application will expire. If this happens, you will be required to reapply.

8. Access your practice permit.
   • Once your payment has been processed, your practice permit can be accessed from your myACP profile.
   • The term of a provisional pharmacist practice permit is typically two years and commences when the practice permit is issued.
   • You must not practise as a provisional pharmacist until you receive notification that your practice permit is issued.
   • Once you have successfully completed the entry-to-practice requirements to be a pharmacist in Alberta, you are then eligible to apply to the clinical pharmacist register.