FPGEE (NABP) - Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination

The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Exam (FPGEE), administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), allows foreign-educated pharmacists to demonstrate their qualifications and knowledge in line with U.S. standards. Passing the FPGEE is one of the requirements for pharmacists trained outside the United States to apply for licensure to practice pharmacy in the country. 

Once passed, foreign-educated pharmacists must still pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) and apply for licensure through the state or jurisdiction in which they want to practice.

Eligibility

• Graduate from a recognized/accredited school of pharmacy outside the U.S. or its jurisdiction

  • Minimum 4-year pharmacy curriculum for graduates before January 1, 2003

  • Minimum 5-year pharmacy curriculum for graduates after January 1, 2003 

• Submit documentation of unrestricted foreign license and/or registration

To be eligible to sit for the FPGEE, foreign-educated pharmacists must first apply for Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) Certification and complete all necessary steps. Once their FPGEC application has been evaluated and accepted, they receive notification through their online NABP e-Profile that they're eligible to take the FPGEE. Applicants must pass the FPGEE within 2 years and must pass to obtain FPGEC certification.

Completion Time: 4.5 hours

Cost: 

• FPGEE fee $750, plus $100 nonrefundable administrative fee

• FPGEC evaluation fee $650, plus $100 nonrefundable administrative fee

Candidates have 4.5 hours to complete the FPGEE, but the total appointment time is 5.5 hours to include time for other components of the process. The computerized exam contains 200 questions and requires a scaled score of 75 or higher to pass. Topics on the FPGEE include:

• Basic Biomedical Sciences (10%)

• Pharmaceutical Sciences (33%)

• Social/Behavioral/Administrative Sciences (22%)

• Clinical Sciences (35%)

Exam results are typically available in the candidate’s online NABP e-Profile within 8 weeks of taking the exam. Candidates have a lifetime limit of 5 attempts to pass the FPGEE. Those retaking the exam must pay the full exam and administrative fee each time. 

For those passing the exam, their score remains valid for 5 years. During this time, they must finish obtaining their FPGEC certification or their FPGEE score becomes invalid.

Application Process

• Pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

• Complete the steps to earn FPGEE certification

• Register with NABP

• Receive an Authorization to Test and FPGEE ID Card

• Schedule FPGEE appointment at a Pearson VUE test site

• Pass the FPGEE

The FPGEE isn’t renewable, but the FPGEE score is valid for 5 years from the exam date.

• Candidate Application Bulletin

• Competency Statement

• FPGEE Sample Questions

• Official Pre-FPGEE Practice Exam (Cost $75)

The NABP also offers the following certifications:

• Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE)

• North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)