Alabama Board Of Pharmacy

PHARMACIST

Registering in the Gateway

IMPORTANT: Gateway accounts are for individuals, not businesses. Anyone who needs access to a business permit must have their own account, even if they are not licensed. Business permits are linked to the Supervising Pharmacist or Designated Representative, who may grant admin access to others. Shared logins are not permitted.

View our Gateway tutorials here:

How to Create a New Gateway Profile
How to Grant Admin Rights
How to Renew your Pharmacist License

Apply for Pharmacist Licensure

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

NEW GRADUATES (US) – LICENSURE BY EXAM

NEW GRADUATES (US) – LICENSE BY EXAM

Steps to Apply:

  1. Register for Eligibility to Test with NABP
    • If Alabama is your primary license state, register for both the NAPLEX and MPJE.
    • If not, register only for the MPJE.
  2. Create a Gateway Profile:
    • Use the link on the ALBOP homepage to create your profile.
  3. Submit Your Application:
    • Log in to your Gateway profile.
    • Click on the “Applications” tab and select “New Pharmacist Exam.”
      • You will have the option to add a controlled substance permit as part of this application
  4. Submit Payment:
    • Payment must be received within 7 days or the application will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply.
  5. Upload All Required Documents
    *Note – If you submitted proof of citizenship with a prior application, you will not be required to upload it again.
    • Birth certificate or U.S. passport (alternative acceptable documents can be found at the bottom of this page)
    • Driver’s license
    • Photo
    • College affidavit (Must contain your school’s official seal or be emailed to our office by your school)
  6. Testing Approval:
    • Your application will be reviewed when payment is complete and required documents are uploaded. Once the review is complete we will approve your eligibility to test with NABP.
    • NABP will then send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) number, which you will use to purchase and schedule your exams.
  7. Complete the Virtual Interview:
    • Prior to licensure, you must complete a virtual interview with Board members.
    • If you graduated from Samford or Auburn, the interview will be done as a group in the Spring.
    • If you graduated from another school, you will receive an email to schedule your interview when we approve your eligibility to test. You may complete your interview before or after passing your exams.
  8. Receive Your License:
    • Once you pass your exams and complete your interview, your pharmacist license will be granted.
    • You can print your license from your Gateway profile, and a decorative engraved license will be mailed to you.

RECIPROCITY APPLICANTS

RECIPROCITY

This is for pharmacists already licensed in another state.

Steps to Apply:

  1. Complete the e-LTP Application:
    • Visit the NABP website and fill out the e-LTP application.
    • Save the pdf of this application; you’ll need to upload it later for your ALBOP application.
  2. Apply for the AL MPJE:
    • Go to the NABP website and apply to take the AL MPJE exam.
    • This application is separate from the e-LTP, and both must be completed for eligibility.
  3. Create a Gateway Profile:
    • If you haven’t done so already, create a Gateway profile using the link on the ALBOP homepage.
  4. Submit Your Application:
    • Log in to your Gateway profile.
    • Click on the “Applications” tab and select “New Pharmacist Reciprocity.”
    • After you submit the application, you will be prompted to submit payment. Payment must be received within 7 days or the application will be cancelled.
    • Upload the following documents:
      *Note – If you submitted proof of citizenship with a prior application, you will not be required to upload it again.
      • Birth certificate (or U.S. passport)
      • Driver’s license
      • Photo
      • NABP eLTP application – please upload the PDF of the application itself. Do not upload confirmation of submission or payment.
  5. Eligibility Confirmation:
    • Once your application is reviewed, we will approve your eligibility to test with NABP.
    • NABP will send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) number.
    • After your eligibility is confirmed, we will send you a link to sign up for the virtual interview.
  6. Schedule Your Exam:
    • Use the ATT number to contact the testing company and set a date for your MPJE exam.
  7. Complete the Virtual Interview:
    • Interviews are held virtually once a month at 8:00AM CST on the day of our Board Meetings
  8. Receive Your License:
    • Once you pass the exam and complete the interview, your license will be granted
    • Log back into your Gateway profile to print your license. A decorated engraved license will also be mailed to you.

FOREIGN PHARMACY SCHOOL GRADUATES – LICENSURE BY EXAM

FOREIGN PHARMACY SCHOOL GRADUATE

This process is for applicants who graduated from a pharmacy school outside of the United States. If you are already licensed as a pharmacist in another US state, you will need to complete a reciprocity application instead. 

Steps:

  1. Complete FPGEC Certification (Required First)
    • Before applying in Alabama, foreign graduates must obtain FPGEC Certification through NABP.
  2. Register with NABP for Exams
    • Register for:
      1. NAPLEX
      2. MPJE (Alabama)
    • If Alabama will be your primary state of licensure, you must register for both exams.
  3. Create an ALBOP Gateway Profile
    • Go to the ALBOP website and select the Gateway link to create a new Gateway Profile
  4. Apply for Pharmacist Licensure by Examination
    • Log in to your Gateway account.
    • Select Applications → New Pharmacist Exam Application.
    • Submit the application and payment, then upload the following documents:
      • Birth certificate or U.S. passport (Additional approved documentation can be found at the bottom of this page
      • Driver’s license
      • Photo
      • Confirmation of FPGEC
      • College affidavit (with official seal or sent directly from the school). This is required for all applicants. 
  5. Internship Hours Requirement (1,500 Hours)
    • Foreign graduates are required to complete 1,500 approved internship hours.
    • You will need to also submit an intern permit application through your gateway profile to complete these hours.
    • These hours may be completed before or after taking your exams
    • Internship hours must be completed under an approved preceptor and properly documented.
    • Licensure will not be issued until all hours are completed.
  6. Eligibility Review and Authorization to Test (ATT)
    • Once your application is complete and approved, the Board will notify NABP of your eligibility.
    • NABP will issue your Authorization to Test (ATT).
    • You may then purchase and schedule your NAPLEX and MPJE exams.
  7. Complete the Virtual Interview
    • Before licensure, all applicants must complete a virtual interview with Board members.
    • You will receive an email to schedule your interview after your eligibility is approved.
    • The interview may be completed before or after passing the exams.
  8. Receive Your Pharmacist License
    • After you have:
      • Passed the NAPLEX and MPJE
      • Completed 1,500 internship hours
      • Completed the interview
    • Your pharmacist license will be issued. You may print your license from your Gateway account. An engraved license will be mailed to you.

Certifications

PRECEPTOR

In accordance with Section 34-23-73, to be approved as a preceptor, a pharmacist must:

  • Be licensed to practice pharmacy for at least two (2) years, and
  • Complete an initial two (2) hour Board-approved preceptor training program.

Externship and internship hours may only be earned under the supervision of an approved preceptor. A preceptor may supervise no more than three (3) externs/interns at any one time.

INITIAL TRAINING
All pharmacists approved by ALBOP as preceptors must complete a two (2) hour Board-approved preceptor training seminar each renewal cycle, unless they are a full-time faculty member at a school of pharmacy and receive approved curriculum credit.

RENEWAL TRAINING
Approved preceptors must complete two (2) hours of Board-approved preceptor training each renewal cycle, unless they are a full-time faculty member at a school of pharmacy and receive approved curriculum credit.

The Board will accept any ACPE-accredited continuing education course where it is clear from the course title that the content relates to precepting, teaching, mentoring, or supervising students.

PARENTERAL

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF APPROVED PARENTERAL PROGRAMS

INITIAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Obtain a parenteral certification, a pharmacist must complete:
– Minimum 8 hours of Board approved training (Didactic + Hands on)
ADVANCED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (Non-Sterile to Sterile Compounding)
– An additional 4 hour Board-approved program is required

RENEWAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
To maintain a parenteral certification, pharmacists must complete:
– 2 hours of Board-approved CE per renewal cycle that includes a hands on component
– A media fill or fingertip test may be used to satisfy one hour of hands on training
– Documentation of this training should be maintained for at least 2 years for auditing purposes.

PROGRAM APPROVAL:
Training providers seeking Board-approval should submit requests to: parenteral@albop.com
Please include:
– Facility name
– Type of training (initial, renewal, advanced)
– Course details and material

PARENTERAL CERTIFICATION FAQs:
Who is responsible for verifying certification?
The supervising pharmacist is responsible for verifying that employees are properly certified.
Do I need to submit CE documentation with my renewal?
No. Documentation should be retained for 2 years and submitted only if selected for a random CE audit.
Are hands-on requirements mandatory?
Yes. Initial and renewal programs must include hands-on components.

CONSULTANT

INITIAL CERTIFICATION
All pharmacist consultants must complete an initial consultant certification course and pass an examination with a score of seventy-five (75) or higher. The initial certification course must be an eight (8) hour Board-approved program that includes the following subject areas:

  1. State and federal laws and regulations related to consultant pharmacy services
  2. Policies and procedures
  3. Administrative responsibilities
  4. Professional responsibilities
  5. Consultant pharmacy opportunities, history, and overview
  6. Drug regimen review
  7. Ethics in consultant pharmacy
  8. Impact of consultant pharmacy on the overall healthcare system
  9. Drug therapy and disease state monitoring

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
All pharmacist consultants are required to complete at least eight (8) live hours of Board-approved continuing education (CE) each renewal cycle.

Because the scope of consultant pharmacy practice is broad, the Board will accept any ACPE-accredited live CE course that is related to the practice of pharmacy to meet this requirement.

NUCLEAR

All pharmacists engaged in the practice of nuclear pharmacy must have appropriate training in the safe handling of radioactive pharmaceuticals and must be registered and certified with the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy (ALBOP).

Nuclear pharmacy certification must be renewed every two (2) years in conjunction with the pharmacist license renewal.

Initial Training Requirements
A pharmacist seeking to practice nuclear pharmacy in Alabama must submit to ALBOP:

  • A certificate of training, and
  • A course outline from an accredited college of pharmacy or another program recognized by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Radiological Health Branch, and ALBOP.

The training must include a minimum of 200 clock hours of formal didactic instruction, consisting of classroom and laboratory training in the following areas:

  • Radiation physics and instrumentation
  • Radiation protection
  • Mathematics related to radioactivity measurement
  • Radiation biology
  • Radiopharmaceutical chemistry

Internship / On-the-Job Training Requirements
Applicants must complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised on-the-job training under a licensed nuclear pharmacist. This training must include, but is not limited to:

  • Safely ordering, receiving, and unpackaging radioactive materials, including radiation surveys
  • Calibrating dose calibrators, scintillation detectors, and radiation monitoring equipment
  • Calculating, preparing, and verifying patient doses while maintaining radiation safety standards
  • Following internal control procedures to prevent mislabeling
  • Learning emergency spill response, decontamination, and survey procedures
  • Eluting Technetium-99 from generator systems and assaying for technetium-99m and molybdenum-99 contamination
  • Processing eluates with reagent radiopharmaceuticals
  • Clinical practice concepts related to nuclear pharmacy

Continuing Education Requirements
For recertification, pharmacists must complete at least two (2) hours of continuing education related to nuclear pharmacy during each renewal period.

Supervising Pharmacist Change

To complete an incoming or outgoing supervising pharmacist change:

  1. Log in to your Gateway account.
  2. Select the Pharmacist License tile.
  3. Under Permit Options, choose either:
    • Incoming Pharmacist Change, or
    • Outgoing Pharmacist Change
  4. Complete tand submit the application.
  5. Return. to your homepage and upload required documents if prompted (ex: controlled substance inventory).

Continuing Education

GENERAL CE REQUIREMENTS

Pharmacists are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) each renewal cycle. Of these:

  • At least 6 hours must be live.
    • “Live” CE may be in-person or virtual but may not be pre-recorded.
  • CE hours may be earned at any point during the two-year renewal period. You are not required to complete a specific number of hours each calendar year.

To receive credit, CE must be either:

  • Previously approved by the Board, or
  • Approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Requests for Board approval of CE must be submitted at least 30 calendar days before the course is offered. Approved CE must be pertinent to the practice of pharmacy. This requirement does not apply to ACPE- or ACCME-approved programs with an assigned program number.

CE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS AND PHARMACISTS WHO PROVIDE IMMUNIZATIONS

Parenteral Certification:
– 2 hours of Board approved CE per renewal cycle.
– The renewal CE must include a hands on component such as a media fill or gloved fingertip test.
– A list of approved renewal programs can be found under the certifications section
Preceptor Certification:
– 2 hours of Board approved CE related to precepting each renewal cycle
– We will accept any ACPE accredited CE course where it is clear from the course title that the content relates to precepting, teaching, mentoring, or supervising students.
Consultant Certification:
– 8 hours of live CE each renewal cycle
– The Board will accept any ACPE accredited live continuing education related to the practice of pharmacy
Nuclear Certification:
– 2 hours of nuclear-related CE per renewal cycle
Immunizing Pharmacists
– 2 hours of CE related to immunizations each renewal cycle
– This is only required for pharmacists who administer immunizations
– Please note that we do not issue a certification for immunizing pharmacists. Any licensed pharmacist is authorized to provide immunizations if they have received adequate training.

CE REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR OF LICENSURE

  • If you obtained your initial license in 2025: You must complete 15 hours of CE, including 3 live hours.
  • If you obtained your initial license in 2026: No CE is required for the first renewal cycle.

CE CREDIT FOR ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS

Pharmacists and technicians may receive CE credit for attending Board meetings in person or virtually.

Attendance Requirements

  • Your full name must be displayed on Webex.
  • You must sign in individually.
  • You must be present for the entire meeting to receive credit.

How to Claim Credit

  1. Complete the SignUpGenius survey.
    (Available on the website under About Us → Board Meetings → Claim CE Credit.)
  2. Enter the meeting passcode, which is provided at the end of the meeting. The sign up closes at 11:59 p.m. the day after the meeting.
  3. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email. Please retain this email for your records.

Credit Limits

  • Each meeting is worth 1 live CE hour.
  • Pharmacists may receive a maximum of 3 live hours per year from Board meeting attendance.
  • Technicians may receive a maximum of 1 live hour per year from Board meeting attendance.
  • Please note this CE is NOT ACPE accredited.

Military License Portability

New SCRA Amendment: In January 2023, Congress added a new provision to the SCRA that
allows service members and their spouses to use their professional licenses and certificates when they
relocate due to military orders. In Alabama, pharmacists who wish to transfer their license under this act will need to apply for a Pharmacist Enrollment Certificate. Click here to read more information on this act.

To submit an application for a Pharmacist Enrollment Certificate:

  1. Using the link on the ALBOP homepage, create a Gateway profile if you have not already done so. For more instructions on how to do this, please view our “How to Create a New Gateway Profile” video tutorial.
  2. Log in to your Gateway profile, click Applications, and select “Pharmacist Enrollment Certificate” application.

Reinstatement Instructions

Reinstatement Application Instructions:

Step 1: Create or Access Your Gateway Account
The Board transitioned to a new licensing system in October 2024. If you have not logged in since that time, you will need to register and link your account before proceeding.

  1. Go to http://gateway.albop.com
  2. Click REGISTER (red box) if needed.
  3. Select Yes when asked if you hold a license and enter your license number.
  4. Confirm your date of birth and SSN.
  5. Complete registration or log in.

Step 2: Submit Your Reinstatement Application

  1. Log in to your Gateway account.
  2. Click the “Pharmacist” button.
  3. Select Reinstate under License Options.
  4. Complete the application.
  5. Upload required documents.
  6. Submit payment.

Fees and Renewal Requirements
You must pay all outstanding renewal and late fees, for up to five (5) years, before your application can be processed.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Lapsed Less Than 5 Years:
You must submit proof of required CE for the lapsed period:

  • 30 hours per two-year renewal cycle
  • At least 6 hours must be live
  • A transcript of your CE must be uploaded with your application.
    • A transcript from CPE Monitor (NABP) is strongly preferred, as it allows for faster review. Other recognized CE tracking services may also be accepted.
    • Please submit a consolidated transcript when possible. Do not upload multiple individual course certificates unless specifically requested.

How to access your CPE Monitor transcript:

  1. Go to https://nabp.pharmacy
  2. Log in to your NABP e-Profile.
  3. Select CPE Monitor.
  4. Download your transcript and upload it with your application.

Lapsed More Than 5 Years

  • No CE is required.
  • You must re-take and pass the MPJE.
  • Please submit an MPJE eligibility application through your NABP profile (https://nabp.pharmacy)

Collaborative Practice

Looking to do test-to-treat at your pharmacy?

Review the test-to-treat protocol and submit any questions to anolen@albop.com.

TEST-TO-TREAT PROTOCOL

Know Before You Collaborate

The Alabama Board of Pharmacy (ALBOP) and the Board of Medical Examiners (BME) jointly approve applications for collaborative practice agreements between physicians and pharmacists.

A collaborative practice agreement outlines authorized duties, documentation and communication requirements, quality assurance plans, and other operational and clinical details.

ALBOP and BME have developed a standard protocol and standard formulary that describe typical care and services provided through physician-pharmacist collaboration.

Review and Approval Process

If a submitted CPA includes care or services outside the standard protocol or standard formulary, the agreement will be referred to the Joint Committee for review and recommendation.

The Joint Committee is composed of:

  • Two ALBOP Board members
  • Two BME Board members

Collaborative practice managers from each Board attend Joint Committee meetings but do not serve as voting members.

How to Apply

To submit a CPA, please complete the Collaborative Practice Application located under Forms.The application includes:

  • An application checklist
  • The standard protocol
  • The standard formulary

The protocol provides guidance if the pharmacist’s scope of practice falls outside the standard protocol or formulary.

Qualifications

Qualifications for Pharmacists

Pharmacists must have:

  • An active, unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in Alabama
  • An active, unrestricted Alabama Controlled Substance certificate issued by ALBOP
  • If providing services in a facility permitted under § 34-23-30 only, the pharmacy must maintain an active, unrestricted pharmacy permit and DEA registration
  • Payment of all required collaborative practice fees

Qualifications for Physicians

Physicians must have:

  • An active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Alabama
  • An active, unrestricted Alabama Controlled Substance certificate issued by BME
  • At least three (3) years of medical practice, or one (1) year if certified by an ABMS- or AOABOS-approved specialty board
  • Payment of all required collaborative practice fees

Forms

All required documents must be submitted together. If performing test-to-treat services, the Test-to-Treat (TTT) protocol must be used instead of the standard protocol.

Renewal, Termination, and Amendments

  • CPAs must be renewed every two (2) years.
  • Termination must be reported within ten (10) days.
  • Amendments to the Authorized Care and Services section must be submitted within ten (10) days of being signed.

This includes substantive changes to patient care services, such as adding or removing therapeutic drug classes from the authorized formulary.

Employment Restrictions

No retail pharmacy may employ a physician for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, or entering into a collaborative practice agreement.

A retail pharmacy may employ a physician or licensed medical practitioner to conduct quality assurance reviews of pharmacists engaged in collaborative drug therapy.

Fees

  • New CPA: $300 to BME and $100 to ALBOP
  • Renewal CPA: $200 to BME and $50 to ALBOP

Managing your License in the Gateway

Once logged in to the Gateway, you will be able to do the following:

  • Update name
  • Update contact info
  • Update employment
  • Print your license
  • Add/remove yourself as a supervising pharmacist. Note this must be completed by both incoming and outgoing pharmacist.
  • Request a license verification
  • Pay fee/fine
  • Request a replacement engraved license
  • Add controlled substance registration
  • Add any relevant certifications

Forms

Proof of US and Non-US Citizenship

Proof of Legal Presence (U.S. Citizens)

  • Alabama driver’s license or identification card
  • Driver’s license from another state that required proof of lawful presence
  • U.S. birth certificate
  • Valid U.S. passport
  • Military identification showing U.S. place of birth
  • Naturalization documents
  • Certificate of citizenship
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs identification
  • American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security
  • Final adoption decree showing the person’s name and U.S. place of birth
  • Uniformed Services Privileges and Identification Card (valid)
  • Hospital record of birth created at the time of birth indicating U.S. place of birth
  • Certification of birth issued by the U.S. Department of State

Proof of Legal Presence (Non–U.S. Citizens)

  • I-327 Re-Entry Permit
  • I-551 Permanent Resident Card (copy of front and back)
  • I-571 Refugee Travel Document
  • I-766 Employment Authorization Card (copy of front and back)
  • I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
  • Unexpired foreign passport
  • Temporary I-551 stamp (on passport or I-94)
  • I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status
  • DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
  • Machine-readable immigrant visa (with temporary I-551 language)