Pharmacist / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Pharmacist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Dispenses medications and counsels patients. Requires PharmD degree.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Pharmacists

Massachusetts's path to pharmacist licensure runs through 4,953 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NAPLEX and MPJE, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Massachusetts folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)".

Budget $259 to get started, plus $227 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For pharmacists, the reciprocity picture is: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Pharmacist · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
4,953 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$259
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$114/yr
$227 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
4,953 hours
Exam Requirement
NAPLEX and MPJE
Required
Initial License Fee
$259
Renewal Fee
$227
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Pharmacist All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pharmacist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts requires 4953 education/training hours, passing an exam (NAPLEX and MPJE), and an initial fee of $259. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Pharmacist in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts licenses pharmacists who complete its requirements (4953 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Massachusetts licensing board.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
For pharmacists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Pharmacist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the pharmacist licensing process in Massachusetts. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pharmacist in Massachusetts? ▼
Licensed pharmacists in Massachusetts must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $227.

Related Guides

What to do with this pharmacist license

Pharmacist in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a pharmacist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Massachusetts's pharmacist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Pharmacist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state pharmacist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Massachusetts's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Massachusetts overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.