Pharmacist / Minnesota
2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Pharmacist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Dispenses medications and counsels patients. Requires PharmD degree.

What the Minnesota data shows for Pharmacists

Minnesota's path to pharmacist licensure runs through 4,527 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. Minnesota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)".

The initial price tag is $188, and renewal costs $170 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
35/100
Pharmacist · Minnesota

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
4,527 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$188
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$85/yr
$170 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 Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
4,527 hours
Exam Requirement
NAPLEX and MPJE
Required
Initial License Fee
$188
Renewal Fee
$170
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 Minnesota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pharmacist in Minnesota? ▼
Minnesota requires 4527 education/training hours, passing an exam (NAPLEX and MPJE), and an initial fee of $188. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Pharmacist in Minnesota? ▼
Certification as a pharmacist in Minnesota means clearing the state's checklist: 4527 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Minnesota licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to Minnesota from another state? ▼
Pharmacist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Minnesota licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Pharmacist licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for pharmacist licensing in Minnesota. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pharmacist in Minnesota? ▼
To stay licensed as a pharmacist in Minnesota, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $170.

Related Guides

What to do with this pharmacist license

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

  • See how Minnesota'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 Minnesota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Minnesota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Minnesota 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.