Washington Pharmacy License

Thinking of starting your new career journey as a pharmacist in Washington State? You may have tons of questions about licensing regulations as well as the state requirements. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, together, we will explore the pharmaceutical licensing process in WA State, get to know the main requirements, as well as find out how to verify a WA State pharmacy license.

How do I get my pharmacy assistant license in Washington State?

To obtain your pharmacy assistant license you should apply to the WA State Department of Health which handles pharmaceutical licensure in the state. You will be asked to provide the following information when submitting the pharmacy assistant application form:

• Your legal name, address, phone number, email
• Social security number
• NPI number if you have one. You can obtain the National Provider Identifier number from the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Four hours of HIV/AIDS training
• Have current credentials issued by the WA State Department of Health, Pharmacy Commission
• Pass the FBI background check
• Pay $35 non-refundable application fee

Once you complete the application form and obtain all the required supplemental documents, mail to the following address along with your check or money order payable to:

Department of Health
Pharmacy Quality Assurance
Commission Credentialing
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099

If you have further questions regarding the pharmacy assistant licensing application or the requirements you can call at 360-236-4700 or send an email.

What is a Washington State pharmacy credential?

A credential serves as evidence for the professional qualifications of a pharmacist. According to the Washington State Department of Health “ The credentialing section ensures all applicants meet established professional qualifications and requirements in accordance with the RCW and the WAC before a credential is issued’’.

Applicants for any type of pharmacy license should list all states where they do or did hold credentials. When submitting the credential verification form the date of application for a credential should be also included, even if a credential was not granted. Once the jurisdiction completes the verification form they will forward the document directly to the WA State Department of Health.

 How long does it take to get a Washington pharmacy license?

It largely depends on the type of pharmacy license you are applying for. In general, the pharmacist licensing process takes 1-2 months or longer depending on the qualifications requirements. For instance, to become a pharmacist in WA State not only you will need an ACPE accredited degree and also passing scores of additional examinations. In Washington State, all pharmacists should pass North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Pharmacy technicians should complete at least 10 hours of CE per year where it should include pharmacy law as well.

How do I verify a Washington State pharmacy license?

The verification tool of WA State pharmacy licenses is available on the Department of Health, through the Provider Credential Search site. By entering the credential number, individual, or business name you will be able to view information about health care providers, health facilities, agencies, etc.