FPGEE Exam Requirements: Who Qualifies and What NABP Needs

You can't sign up for the FPGEE directly. NABP first has to accept your application for FPGEC Certification, and it will only do that once you meet all six requirements below.

Status on September 25, 2026: NABP is no longer accepting applications for the 2026 FPGEE. It will reopen them after the October 15, 2026 exam. The 2027 exam date hasn't been published.

The six FPGEE requirements

1. A qualifying pharmacy degree. It must come from a recognized or accredited school outside the US, or from a US school that isn't ACPE-accredited. (Bulletin §8)
2. A long enough program. You need at least 4 years if you graduated before January 1, 2003. You need at least 5 years if you graduated on or after that date. (Bulletin §8)
3. An unrestricted, permanent pharmacist license or registration from outside the US. If none was required where you practiced, you need an official statement saying so. (Bulletin §7)
4. A passing TOEFL iBT. Every section must meet NABP's minimum, in one sitting, at an accepted ETS test center. At-home tests don't count. (Bulletin §6)
5. An ECE General Evaluation Report, with an official copy sent by ECE straight to NABP. (ECE)
6. A complete FPGEC application. That means the $750 nonrefundable fee, a notarized attestation with your photo, two passport photos, and a notarized copy of your photo ID. (Bulletin §4–5)

Only when your e-Profile status changes to Accepted can you buy an FPGEE seat. From that date, you have 2 years to pass. (NABP)

Check whether you meet each requirement

Pick the answer that fits you under each question. Each answer is judged against NABP's July 2026 FPGEC Candidate Application Bulletin. This is a self-check. NABP and ECE make the actual decision.

What your answers add up to

• Any ➡️: FPGEC is not your route. Contact the board of pharmacy in the state where you want a license.
• Any ❌: Under NABP's current bulletin, you don't meet at least one requirement. The rule behind each ❌ answer is shown above. NABP says it does not waive or make exceptions to FPGEC requirements.
• Any 🟡 (and no ❌): You may qualify, but at least one item needs NABP or ECE to decide. Review that issue against the Bulletin or contact NABP/ECE before paying if possible; the final determination is made through the official evaluation process. The FPGEC team is at FP@nabp.pharmacy or 1-847/391-4406.
• Only ✅ and 🟠: You can qualify, but you have work to finish first. If the English test is on your list, start there, because NABP won't begin evaluating your file without a passing score report.
• All ✅: Your answers match NABP's published requirements in this self-check. That is not an eligibility determination; NABP and ECE still have to evaluate your actual documents. Create your NABP e-Profile using the exact name on your transcripts and ID, then apply when NABP is accepting applications.

What goes where, and when

This is where most delays start. Education records go to ECE. Almost everything else goes to NABP. Your English score comes from ETS.

The two mix-ups to avoid: license documents go to NABP, not ECE, and education documents go to ECE, not NABP. ECE says outright that it won't take your licensure papers with your evaluation order. (ECE)

NABP doesn't accept documents submitted electronically, and it doesn't return originals. Send copies that meet its notarization rules, and keep your own set. (§5)

Education: the 4-year and 5-year rule

The date on your degree decides which rule you're held to. It's measured by the program you had completed when you graduated, not what you did afterward. (§8)

What can and can't help you reach that minimum:

• May count: pre-pharmacy coursework, if it was at US college level and every student had to finish it before entering pharmacy school.
• Doesn't count: courses, internships, continuing-education certificates, or work experience completed after graduation.
• Case by case, at FPGEC's discretion: post-baccalaureate degrees or post-graduate diplomas that include patient-care experience in a clinical pharmacy setting.

Who counts as a "foreign pharmacy graduate"

It depends on your pharmacy program and its ACPE status, not your passport. NABP specifically identifies non-ACPE primary pharmacy degrees, certain ACPE-accredited post-baccalaureate situations, and several ACPE international program statuses in its FPGEC rules. (§3)

• A US citizen who studied at a non-ACPE-accredited school needs FPGEC certification.
• A non-US citizen who graduated from an ACPE-accredited US program doesn't.
• If you earned an ACPE-accredited post-baccalaureate degree but your first pharmacy degree wasn't from a US entry-level ACPE program, you still need FPGEC certification.
• Graduates of programs outside the US that hold certain ACPE international statuses also need it. Those statuses are Certification, Precertification, Provisional Certification, International-Accreditation, International Pre-Accreditation, and Provisional International-Accreditation.

Three quick examples

• Degree issued in 1999 after a 4-year program. This meets the length rule, because the 4-year minimum applies to degrees issued before 2003.
• Degree issued in 2010 after a 4-year program, plus a 1-year internship after graduation. The internship doesn't count, so this falls short of 5 years. Required pre-pharmacy coursework at US college level may help meet the minimum; certain post-baccalaureate degrees or postgraduate diplomas with clinical patient-care experience may also be reviewed by FPGEC case by case.
• Degree issued in 2015 after a 5-year program. This meets the length rule.

ECE's General Report costs $110 and stays valid for 2 years. If you reapply later with an older report, you'll need a new one. (ECE fees, §3, §8)

License or registration: what NABP wants to see

You have to show that you hold the unrestricted, permanent license, registration, or both required for unrestricted pharmacy practice in a country outside the US. If that country requires both a license and a registration, send both. The expiration date printed on the proof is not a factor in FPGEC's document evaluation. (§7)

The proof must:

1. show the date it was issued;
2. show the license or registration number (both, if both are required);
3. carry an inked or impressed seal or stamp of the issuing agency;
4. carry an inked signature of the official who certified it;
5. arrive in an envelope sealed by the issuing agency, with their seal, stamp, or signature across the flap; and
6. if it's a photocopy, carry an "Attested True Copy" stamp initialed or signed in ink by the agency.

If no license was required where you practiced, ask the relevant agency for an official statement confirming that. It must come in a properly sealed envelope.

Three situations don't qualify under the current bulletin:

• you earned the degree but never got a license that was required;
• your license is temporary, provisional, or restricted; or
• you have asylum in the US and can't provide evidence of an unrestricted, permanent license from outside the US.

One more thing to know: if your foreign license had disciplinary action, NABP may report it to the states where you later apply for licensure. (§7)

English: the TOEFL iBT scores NABP accepts

Every candidate takes it, including US citizens, US residents, and native English speakers. NABP allows no waivers, and every section has to clear its minimum on its own. (§6)

ETS changed its score scale on January 21, 2026. Use the row that matches when you took the test. (NABP FPGEC page, §6)

The rules that can void a score you've already paid for:

• Location. You must test at an ETS center in one of the 50 US states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, or these Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, or Saskatchewan. A TOEFL taken in any other country doesn't count.
• No home edition. At-home and remotely proctored TOEFL scores aren't accepted.
• One sitting. All four sections must come from the same test session, on one official report sent by ETS.
• Section scores only. If one section is below the minimum, NABP rejects the whole report. It doesn't look at your total.
• Two-year shelf life. A passing score is valid for FPGEC purposes for 2 years from the test date.
• Code 9103. Have ETS send the report straight to the FPGEC using this code.

NABP publishes an ETS discount code, NABPTOEFL, for 15% off the TOEFL iBT. (NABP FPGEC page)

If you live outside North America, you'll have to travel to take a TOEFL that counts. Canada's ten listed provinces are on the list too, which may be easier to reach depending on your visa.

Changes NABP has announced (not in effect on September 25, 2026)
- From November 1, 2026: MyBest scores can be used to meet the acceptance requirement for the 2027 FPGEE. This isn't available if you submitted TOEFL scores for evaluation before November 1.
- From January 11, 2027: NABP will begin accepting Occupational English Test (OET) results. OET tests taken before January 11, 2027 won't count, and NABP hasn't yet published the OET scores it will require.
NABP says more details will be posted in early October 2026. (NABP FPGEC page)

How to apply, step by step

1. Pass the TOEFL iBT and have ETS send your report to code 9103. NABP's bulletin says to pass it before you apply. (§6)
2. Create your NABP e-Profile. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your transcripts and ID. NABP recommends choosing "Pharmacist" as your profession. (§4)
3. Submit the online FPGEC application and pay the $750 fee. Upload an accommodations request now if you need one.
4. Mail your attestation, photos, and notarized ID to NABP, with your e-Profile ID number on the mailing.
5. Have your licensing agency send its sealed proof to NABP.
6. Order the ECE General Report with the extra NABP copy, and send your transcripts and degree proof to ECE.
7. Wait for evaluation. NABP starts only once everything has arrived, including your TOEFL report. Then it takes about 12 weeks. If NABP posts a deficiency, reviewing your fix takes about another 12 weeks. (§11)
8. Watch for "Accepted" in your e-Profile. You can then buy the FPGEE during the open registration period.
9. Get your Authorization to Test (ATT) by email from Pearson, then book your seat. If you live outside the US, you book by phone. (§13)

Timing that catches people out:

• NABP stops taking applications 3 weeks before registration closes for the next exam. It reopens after the exam date. (§11)
• Mail is slow. International mail can take up to 30 extra business days to arrive, and NABP may need up to 15 business days to log it. (§10)
• The exam runs once a year. For reference, the 2026 cycle opened registration May 15 and closed purchases September 1, for an October 15 exam. NABP publishes each year's dates separately. (NABP FPGEE page)

Our read, as editorial advice rather than an NABP rule: get your TOEFL and every document in early. The 12-week clock doesn't start until the last piece arrives, and one deficiency can push you past a once-a-year exam.

What it costs to reach exam day

Add up the fixed fees to one sitting: $750 + $110 + $30 + $750 = $1,640. That's before the TOEFL, translations, notarization, courier costs, and travel. ECE's $85 Translation Waiver can't help here, because ECE says it isn't available for NABP orders. (ECE fees)

Deadlines and time limits

NABP doesn't extend expiration dates, and you can't appeal them. If your file expires, you can reapply as a new applicant under whatever bulletin is current then. Acceptance isn't guaranteed the second time. On reapplication, license documents older than 2 years must be sent again. (§3, §12)

Test-day requirements

• Bring an accepted ID. It must be an unexpired passport, a government-issued driver's license, or a US state ID card, with your photo and signature. The name must match your ATT exactly. (§14)
• These won't get you in: Green Cards, Social Security cards, employee IDs, international driver's licenses, expired IDs, and letters of identity from a notary.
• Name changes must reach the FPGEC in writing at least 30 days before exam day. They can't be fixed at the test center.
• Arrive 30 minutes early. Arriving more than 30 minutes after your appointment time forfeits it.
• Where: The current NABP FPGEE page says the exam is given at Pearson test sites throughout the continental US, and it is not offered online. The July 2026 Bulletin contains internally inconsistent wording about Puerto Rico and Guam, so confirm directly with NABP/Pearson before making travel plans for either location. (NABP FPGEE page, §13)

The exam itself has 200 questions over 4.5 hours of testing, with 5.5 hours of total seat time. You need a scaled score of 75 to pass, and a scaled score isn't a percentage. The current content outline weights the four domains at 12%, 31%, 20%, and 37%. Some older guides still print different weights, so check any study material against NABP's current outline.

After FPGEC certification

FPGEC certification is not a license to practice pharmacy. No paper certificate is issued. Your certification date appears in your NABP e-Profile, where every US board of pharmacy can see it. (§3)

From there, the state where you want to practice sets the rest. Depending on the jurisdiction, that can include supervised internship requirements, the NAPLEX, and an MPJE, UMPJE, or another state-specific law requirement. Rules vary by state, so contact that state's board directly through NABP's board directory.

Common questions

Can I take the TOEFL iBT in my home country? Only if you test in one of the accepted places: the US states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, or the 10 listed Canadian provinces. Everywhere else is out. So is the at-home version.

I'm a native English speaker. Do I still need the TOEFL? Yes. NABP requires it of every foreign pharmacy graduate, including US citizens and native speakers, with no waivers. (The OET becomes an alternative only for tests taken on or after January 11, 2027.)

Can I use WES or another credential evaluator? No. NABP says ECE is the only organization that can evaluate your credentials on its behalf. (NABP)

Does ECE decide whether I'm eligible? No. ECE reports on your education. NABP decides whether you're accepted to take the FPGEE. (ECE)

Can I translate my own documents? No. Translations must come from an official translator, such as a certified translator, a court interpreter, an authorized government official, or an official of your pharmacy school. The translator's credentials must be attached. (§10)

If I cancel my application, do I get the $750 back? No. NABP says there are no refunds of the application fee, with no exceptions. (§11)

Can I apply right now? Not for the 2026 exam. On September 25, 2026, NABP said it would accept applications again after the October 15, 2026 exam. (NABP)

Sources

Checked by the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team on September 25, 2026:

• NABP, Foreign Pharmacy (FPGEC Certification): requirements, TOEFL minimums, announced MyBest and OET changes, application status
• NABP, FPGEE exam page: exam format, 2026 dates, registration
• NABP, FPGEC Candidate Application Bulletin (July 2026): §3, §4, §5, §6, §7, §8, §10, §11, §12, §13, §14, §15, §18
• NABP, FPGEE Content Outline (©2025)
• ECE, Evaluation reports for NABP/FPGEC and US Services and Fees

For your own application, go to the source: NABP's FPGEC page, the full Candidate Application Bulletin, or the FPGEC team at FP@nabp.pharmacy or 1-847/391-4406.

Last verified: September 25, 2026. This covers the eligibility, document, TOEFL, fee, deadline, and test-day rules on this page, checked against the NABP and ECE sources listed above.

Written by the Castleport Test Prep Editorial Team.

Castleport Test Prep is an independent exam prep publisher and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee, Educational Credential Evaluators, ETS, or Pearson. Exam and credential names are used for identification; trademarks belong to their respective owners. This page explains published requirements. NABP and your state board of pharmacy make every eligibility and licensing decision.