Pharmacist / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Pharmacist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Dispenses medications and counsels patients. Requires PharmD degree.

What the Washington data shows for Pharmacists

To practice as a pharmacist in Washington, the state licensing board requires 5,216 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NAPLEX and MPJE. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Washington's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)".

Budget $303 to get started, plus $262 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. 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.

On reciprocity, pharmacists should know: NAPLEX results recognized nationwide — state law exam differs.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
28/100
Pharmacist · Washington

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
5,216 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$303
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$131/yr
$262 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 Washington

Education / Training Hours
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
5,216 hours
Exam Requirement
NAPLEX and MPJE
Required
Initial License Fee
$303
Renewal Fee
$262
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 Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Pharmacist in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 5216 hours of education or training, the NAPLEX and MPJE exam, and an initial fee of $303. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Pharmacist in Washington? ▼
Certification as a pharmacist in Washington means clearing the state's checklist: 5216 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Washington licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Pharmacist license to Washington 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 Washington licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Washington require a background check for Pharmacist licensing? ▼
Yes, Washington requires a criminal background check as part of the pharmacist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Pharmacist in Washington? ▼
Washington ties continued pharmacist licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $262 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this pharmacist license

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

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

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