How Long Is Pharmacy School?

Key Takeaways

It takes nearly a decade to become a pharmacist, but most programs require only two years of undergraduate education.
The U.S. needs more pharmacists as the size of the older adult population grows and the complexity of patient medical needs increases.
Common pharmacy school prerequisites include anatomy and physiology, general psychology, and biology.

Pharmacy school prepares students to do far more than just hand over medication.

They learn how to keep people safe and healthy through expert care.

But that requires a nearly decade-long educational journey.

In this blog, we’ll break down the length of pharmacy school and answer other common questions so you can decide whether the career path suits you.

Why Become a Pharmacist?

Pharmacists dispense prescription medication and provide information to patients about the drugs.

They understand the biochemical makeup and how that impacts their:

Application
Side effects
Interactions
Effectiveness

Your day may also entail:

Administering vaccinations, such as flu shots
Working with insurance companies to correct billing issues
Maintaining records and handling administrative tasks

The profession dates back thousands of years. The Mesopotamians recorded the world’s earliest known prescription on a clay tablet in 2100 B.C. It described using medicinal herbs and other natural substances to treat various ailments.

Aside from working in a career shaped by history, other benefits of pursuing pharmacy include:

High salary potential: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average pharmacist earns $137,480 annually.
Flexibility and career diversity: Pharmacists work in a variety of settings including drugstores, hospitals, and specialty clinics. Compared to other healthcare careers, you can find remote positions or roles with more traditional hours too.
Job growth and stability: Experts estimate 8,000 pharmacists-to-be will graduate in 2026 — about 56 percent of what the U.S. needs – so you can expect to find ample opportunities.

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How Many Years Is Pharmacy School?

To become a pharmacist, you need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which takes four years to earn.

Most programs require only two years of undergraduate education for admission, meaning you could begin your career within six years of finishing high school.

Some students complete a residency after graduation to gain additional training or research experience, which last one to two years. They can also train in specialty areas such as:

Cardiology
Internal medicine
Pediatric care

Pharmacy School Prerequisites

During the two years of pre-professional studies, you must complete certain courses. Prerequisites vary depending on your program, but the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy recommends:

If you need to save time and money, you can finish these courses through accredited online institutions such as Portage Learning.

Its self-directed format allows you to study anytime, anywhere, perfect for those balancing heavy schedules such as:

Working professionals
Adult learners
Career switchers
Motivated high school students

Tuition at Portage Learning remains significantly less than the average four-year public university charges in-state residents and includes all text and video materials needed as well.

“I needed two prerequisites for pharmacy school,” Siedah Ford, a former student, writes. “Compared to other schools, Portage was the least expensive, and they offered what I needed. I paid for them on a Friday and started the following Monday. It was very convenient.”

How to Become a Pharmacist (Step by Step)

After finishing your required courses, follow these steps:

Complete pharmacy school

Enroll in a program that meets Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education standards. You can browse schools that do so here.

Over the four-year period, you will develop skills needed for the medical field such as clinical decision-making and patient management. Coursework will cover:
- Public health
- Ethics and laws
- Toxicology
- And more
Find a residency or internship

Before sitting for their board exams, pharmacists must gain at least 1,500 hours of supervised experience through a residency or internship.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists accredits programs. You apply through their Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service. Applications open in late fall, and by early spring, you know where you matched.
Become licensed

You need to pass the following two tests issued by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy before practicing on your own:
- North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination: A 250-question multiple choice computerized test that determines your pharmaceutical knowledge judgment and abilities.
- Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination: An exam that measures your understanding of pharmacy laws and regulations. Starting in June 2026 a uniform version of the test will launch offering states an alternative option to meet their requirements.
Other requirements depend on where you live but generally involve:
- Applying to the state’s licensing board
- Submitting documents that verify your education and training
- Completing a background check

Is Pharmacy School Worth the Time?

Whether you check a prescription to ensure it doesn’t cause an adverse reaction or prepare radiopharmaceuticals for use in nuclear medicine tests and procedures, pharmacy entails far more than a monotonous routine.

It will take years of commitment.

But the time spent in school prepares you to become a trusted healthcare professional who knows how to support better patient outcomes.

Still looking for answers?

Check out the FAQs about this article below.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a pharmacist?

You need to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, which takes four years to earn to become a pharmacist. Most programs require only two years of undergraduate education for admission, meaning you could begin your career within six years of graduating high school.

What prerequisites are required for Pharmacy school?

Prerequisites can vary depending on your program, but but the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy recommends:

Do pharmacists need to complete a residency program?

A residency program is not required, but some students complete one after graduation to gain additional training or research experience. They can train in specialty areas such as cardiology, internal medicine, or pediatric care.

Can you take pharmacy school prerequisites online?

Yes! You can take the required prerequisite courses online through Portage Learning. Its self-directed format allows you to study anytime, anywhere, perfect for those balancing heavy schedules such as working professionals, adult learners, or career switchers.