Foreign Pharmacy Graduate

Examination Committee™ (FPGEC®)

Certification Program

Application Bulletin

Includes information about applying for the

Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination® (FPGEE®).
 FPGEC Application Bulletin

Copyright 2012

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee
1600 Feehanville Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
USA
847/391-4406
www.nabp.net
[email protected]

Carmen A. Catizone, MS, RPh, DPh

Executive Director/Secretary

Preamble and Mission Statement of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

Preamble
Given that medications are an integral part of disease management, medication therapies and their delivery systems are
becoming more complex, technological enhancements have improved the capabilities for patient monitoring, and entities
motivated by economic gain are eroding standards of care, there is greater potential harm to the public and a greater need
for patients’ medication use to be managed by a licensed pharmacist and state regulatory agencies to aggressively enforce
standards of care.

NABP Mission Statement

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP®) is the independent, international, and impartial Association that
®

assists its member boards and jurisdictions in developing, implementing, and enforcing uniform standards for the purpose of
protecting the public health.

©2012 by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the Executive Director/
Secretary of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The items “National Association of Boards of Pharmacy,”
“NABP,” “Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination,” “FPGEC,” “FPGEE,” “Pre-FPGEE,” “Pharmacist and
Pharmacy Achievement and Discipline,” and “PPAD” are registered trademarks of the National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy. Violation of the copyright will lead to prosecution under federal copyright laws.
The policies and procedures specified in the FPGEC Application Bulletin are subject to change without notice. 1113B
Table of Contents
Information About the FPGEC
Goals and Objectives of the FPGEC........................................................................................................... 1
Definition of a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate............................................................................................... 1
FPGEC Certification................................................................................................................................... 1
Qualifications for FPGEC Certification Program........................................................................................ 1
TOEFL iBT Requirements.......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Center Restrictions..................................................................................................................... 2
Score Reports..................................................................................................................................... 2
Contacting ETS.................................................................................................................................. 3
Communicating with the FPGEC...................................................................................................... 3
Communicating with NABP Customer Service................................................................................ 3

FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

General FPGEC and ECE Application Information.................................................................................... 4
Application for the FPGEC......................................................................................................................... 4
Photographs................................................................................................................................................. 5
Submitting Fees to NABP for FPGEC........................................................................................................ 5
Equivalency Examination Number ............................................................................................................ 5
Re-examination........................................................................................................................................... 5
Refund and Withdrawal – NABP................................................................................................................ 5
Application for ECE.................................................................................................................................... 5
Submitting Fees to ECE.............................................................................................................................. 6
Refund and Withdrawal – ECE................................................................................................................... 6
Completing the FPGEC Application Form................................................................................................. 6
Sample Completed FPGEC Application..................................................................................................... 8

Documentation of Pharmacist Credentials

General Official Supporting Documentation Information........................................................................ 11
Official Supporting Documentation to ECE.............................................................................................. 11
Official Transcript(s)........................................................................................................................ 11
Official Proof of Degree.................................................................................................................. 12
Alternate Procedures........................................................................................................................ 12
Official Supporting Documentation to FPGEC......................................................................................... 12
Official Proof of Licensure and/or Registration.............................................................................. 12
Submitting Additional Supporting Documentation................................................................................... 13
Photo Identification.......................................................................................................................... 13
Photocopies of Documents.............................................................................................................. 13
Translation of Non-English Documents.......................................................................................... 13
Candidate’s Name............................................................................................................................ 13
General Information
Closed File................................................................................................................................................. 14
Pharmacist and Pharmacy Achievement and Discipline Database........................................................... 14
Special Testing Accommodations............................................................................................................. 14
Table of Contents (cont.)
FPGEE Test Information
FPGEE Overview................................................................................................................................15
Testing Administration....................................................................................................................... 15
Registering to Test with NABP.......................................................................................................... 15
Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE.......................................................................................... 15
Scheduling Your Examination Appointment...................................................................................... 16
Special Testing Accommodations...................................................................................................... 16
Scheduling for Special Testing Accommodations.............................................................................. 16
Canceling/Failing to Attend Your Examination Appointment........................................................... 16
FPGEE Administration
On the Day of the Examination.......................................................................................................... 17
Non-Disclosure Agreement................................................................................................................ 18
Break Information Update.................................................................................................................. 18
Identification Requirements............................................................................................................... 18
Name Matching Gidelines.................................................................................................................. 19
Test Center Restrictions..................................................................................................................... 20
What to Do in Case of Inclement Weather......................................................................................... 20
If Your Computer Experiences Technical Difficulties........................................................................ 20
Security Measures.............................................................................................................................. 20
Misconduct......................................................................................................................................... 21
Group Irregularities............................................................................................................................ 21
Notification to Authorities.................................................................................................................. 21
Retake Policy...................................................................................................................................... 21
FPGEE Score Results
Your FPGEE Score Results................................................................................................................ 22
FPGEE Score Review........................................................................................................................ 22
FPGEE Score Invalidations................................................................................................................ 22
Notification to Authorities.................................................................................................................. 22
Pre-FPGEE
What is the Pre-FPGEE?.................................................................................................................... 23

Information About
the FPGEC
Goals and Objectives of the FPGEC to practice. Candidates who receive the FPGEC
The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Certificate may be qualified by the state boards of
Committee™ (FPGEC®) operates under the auspices pharmacy to take the pharmacy licensing examination
of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® in those jurisdictions that accept this Certification.
(NABP®). Established in recognition and fulfillment of Because the licensure requirements vary from state to
responsibilities for public health care and education, state, you are advised to directly contact the board(s) of
the FPGEC’s goals are: pharmacy of the state(s) in which you desire licensure.
For a listing of board contact information please see
1. to inform foreign pharmacy graduates about the the Boards of Pharmacy section of the NABP Web site,
FPGEC Certification Program and the Foreign located at www.nabp.net.
Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination®
(FPGEE®); NABP makes every effort to keep its literature
current and accurate. However, since there is
2. to evaluate the qualifications of foreign pharmacy occasionally a delay between when a change within a
graduates who apply for FPGEC Certification; state is effective and when NABP is notified of such
3. to oversee the development of the FPGEE; and a change, the FPGEC advises you, as the candidate,
4. to cooperate with other agencies concerned with to contact the states directly for the most up-to-date
foreign pharmacy graduates. information.
Definition of a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate The FPGEC reserves the right to change the
The FPGEC defines a “foreign pharmacy graduate” requirements for FPGEC Certification published in this
as a pharmacist whose undergraduate pharmacy Application Bulletin without notice to any candidate
degree was conferred by a recognized school of or prospective candidates. Such changes will take
pharmacy outside of the 50 United States, the District effect when adopted by the FPGEC. The FPGEC
of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. US citizens who have further reserves the right to discontinue the program at
completed their pharmacy education outside the US any time without advance notice to any candidate or
are considered to be “foreign pharmacy graduates,” prospective candidate.
while foreign nationals who have graduated from Please note that NABP reserves the right, in its
schools in the US are not. sole discretion, to refuse to accept any application,
FPGEC Certification registration form, documentation, or payment that does
not conform to applicable US laws and regulations and
NABP provides the FPGEC Certification
NABP program requirements.
Program as a means of documenting the educational
equivalency of a candidate’s foreign pharmacy
Qualifications for FPGEC Certification
education, as well as the license and/or registration
to practice pharmacy. In the process of FPGEC Program
Certification, candidates provide documents that As a candidate for the FPGEC Certification
verify their educational backgrounds and licensure Program, you must have graduated from a recognized
and/or registration. Candidates are also required to or accredited school of pharmacy of a foreign country
pass the FPGEE and the Test of English as a Foreign or jurisdiction. The FPGEC requires that if you
Language™ (TOEFL®) Internet-based Test (iBT). graduated prior to January 1, 2003, you must have
The FPGEC Certificate allows foreign graduates to completed at least a four-year pharmacy curriculum
partially fulfill eligibility requirements for licensure in at the time of graduation to be considered for FPGEC
the states that require the Certification. Certification. However, if you graduated on or after
January 1, 2003, you must have completed at least
The FPGEC Certificate is not a license to a five-year pharmacy curriculum at the time of
practice pharmacy. In order to practice in the US, graduation. Coursework and internships completed
you must be licensed by the state in which you wish after graduation will not be considered in determining
1
 Information About the FPGEC

the minimum required curriculum length. Post- The FPGEC may consider the paper-based or
baccalaureate degrees will not be considered except computer-based TOEFL and Test of Spoken English
under limited circumstances where the degree (TSE) for candidates who applied for FPGEC
obtained and coursework completed to obtain the Certification prior to April 1, 2010, under the
degree satisfactorily show that the candidate obtained following conditions:
experience in patient care in a clinical pharmacy ♦ The TOEFL and TSE are completed prior to
practice setting. Consideration of post-baccalaureate June 30, 2010;
degrees and whether they may be applicable to
determine the minimum required curriculum length ♦ The candidate has obtained a minimum score
will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based)
discretion of the FPGEC. The change from a four-year on the TOEFL and a minimum score of 50 on
to a five-year educational curriculum requirement the TSE;
has enabled the FPGEC Certification Program to be ♦ The FPGEC has received an official score
consistent with the revised standards of US pharmacy report directly from the Educational Testing
school curriculum. Service (ETS) center for each test; and
As the candidate, you must also provide ♦ The candidate’s program file has remained
documentation that you are licensed and/or registered open. (See page 15 for situations when your
for the unrestricted practice of pharmacy in a foreign file will be closed.)
country or jurisdiction. Please refer to page 12 for
Effective January 1, 2012, an FPGEE score report
complete details on providing documentation.
will be valid for five years from the test date. For more
You must submit a completed application form, details on this new policy, see page 22.
fees, and supporting documentation in accordance
with the procedures established by the FPGEC and as Test Center Restrictions
described in this Application Bulletin before you will Effective April 1, 2010, TOEFL iBT score reports
be considered for approval to sit for the FPGEE. It is from international ETS test site locations are no
your responsibility to provide all required materials. longer accepted for candidates seeking FPGEC
There is no deadline to apply for the FPGEE. For more Certification. TOEFL iBT score reports will only
details on the FPGEE see page 15. be accepted from ETS test centers located in NABP
member and associate member jurisdictions including
TOEFL iBT Requirements the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Guam,
Effective April 1, 2010, the TOEFL iBT is the sole Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Australia, eight Canadian
English language proficiency examination accepted for provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba,
candidates seeking FPGEC Certification. The TOEFL New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and
iBT must be completed by all foreign pharmacy Saskatchewan), and New Zealand. In addition, score
graduates, even those who are native English reports received from the Los Angeles, CA, ETS test
speakers. There are no exceptions or waivers to these site located at 3540 Wilshire Boulevard, will no longer
requirements. To be eligible for FPGEC Certification, be accepted on or after April 1, 2010.
you must pass the TOEFL iBT. The minimal
acceptable score for the TOEFL iBT is: Score Reports
♦ Reading – 21 As a candidate for FPGEC Certification you must
request that TOEFL Services submit an authentic
♦ Listening – 18 report of TOEFL iBT scores directly to the FPGEC.
♦ Speaking – 26 Use the FPGEC identification number 9103, and
♦ Writing – 24 provide the TOEFL iBT registration numbers and full
name as they appear on the score report. Official score
You must complete all four sections in one testing reports must be submitted directly to the FPGEC by
session; scores for the four sections must be reported TOEFL Services.
on one official score report. If you score less than
Note: TOEFL Services reports TOEFL iBT, scores
the minimum score in any section, you will not be
for two years after the test. Contact TOEFL Services
considered for FPGEC Certification. The FPGEC
for further details.
will not consider a total score on the TOEFL iBT for
certification purposes. If your name on the TOEFL iBT score report does
not identically match your name as submitted on the

2
 Information About the FPGEC

application form for the FPGEC, you must notify The FPGEC cannot be responsible for delayed,
the FPGEC, in writing, immediately. (Refer to the lost, or misdirected mail. If you would like a
“Candidate’s Name” section on page 13 for more receipt showing that the FPGEC received your
instructions.) In addition, your date of birth on the communication, send your correspondence via private
official score report must be the same as appears on the courier service or United States Certified Mail, Return
FPGEC application. Receipt Requested. It may take an additional 30
business days for international mail to be delivered and
Contacting ETS 10 business days for mail sent within the US.
For additional information and instructions about Due to the high volume of correspondence received,
TOEFL iBT contact: the FPGEC is unable to confirm receipt of faxes and mail.
TOEFL Services
PO Box 6151 Communicating with NABP Customer Service
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 Customer Service can only assist with basic
USA program information. This includes requests to change
609/771-7100 mail and e-mail addresses, processing payment
www.toefl.org receipts, providing application forms, and resending
letters that you may not have received because of an
Communicating with the FPGEC insufficient address.
Communication with the FPGEC may only be done To ensure the privacy and protection of all
in writing, not via telephone or e-mail. You may send candidates, Customer Service can only respond
communications to the FPGEC via mail or fax. to questions from candidates, and cannot speak
If you mail or fax the FPGEC inquiring about any of or correspond with anyone calling or writing on a
the following topics, a written response will be mailed candidate’s behalf.
within six weeks of receipt. When calling or e-mailing Customer Service,
♦ Questions regarding your FPGEC file please provide the following information so that the
♦ Disputing the decision of the FPGEC regarding Customer Service representative can assist you:
your application or documents ♦ Full name
♦ General inquiries regarding your documents ♦ Address
In all written communications with the FPGEC, ♦ Last four digits of your Social Security number
use your full name as it appears on the application (if you have one)
form. The FPGEC uses the address you provided on ♦ Date of birth
the application form for all communications. You ♦ EE number (if you have one)
must notify the FPGEC in writing of any mailing
To Contact Customer Service
address changes. Include both the previous and current
addresses in the notification. E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 1-847/391-4406
All communications submitted via fax, mail, or
private courier service must be personally signed by Only the FPGEC can answer questions relating
you, the candidate. The FPGEC will not respond to specifically to the application process, the candidate
unsigned communications. file, and disputing an evaluation status letter. The
FPGEC will answer such questions in writing and will
Send official inquiries and submissions to: send those responses through US mail. Due to the high
NABP volume of correspondence received, the FPGEC is
Attn: FPGEC unable to confirm receipt of faxes and mail.
1600 Feehanville Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
USA
Fax: 1-847/391-4502

3
FPGEC and ECE Application
Procedures
General FPGEC and ECE Application in order to achieve FPGEC Certification, may be
Information sufficient cause for the FPGEC to bar the candidate
To apply for the FPGEC Certification you must from the FPGEE, to terminate the candidate’s
submit an application along with your licensing participation in the examination, to invalidate the
and/or registration documentation to FPGEC for results of the candidate’s examination, to disqualify
evaluation. In addition, you are required to submit the candidate from the FPGEC Certification Program,
to the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) to withhold a certificate, to revoke a certificate, or to
your educational credentials including your pharmacy take other appropriate action.
school transcript and degree qualification along with NABP reserves right to share with pharmacy
the ECE application for verification and evaluation. regulatory or law enforcement authorities information
Both of these applications are available by submitting concerning the cancelation or invalidation of a
a request on the NABP Web site at www.nabp.net. candidate’s score on any examination that is required
Documentation may be submitted to FPGEC and for FPGEC Certification, the withholding of an
ECE at the same time. Refer to page 11 for more FPGEC Certificate, the disqualification of a candidate
information on submitting supporting documentation. from the FPGEC Certification Program, or the
Additional information on applying to ECE is located revocation of a candidate’s FPGEC Certificate.
on page 5. Application for the FPGEC
As the candidate, you are advised through this Beginning July 1, 2012, the FPGEC application is
Application Bulletin exactly what materials and available for download in the FPGEC section of the
documentation are required to support the application. NABP Web site by visiting www.nabp.net/programs/
The FPGEC will process all application forms and examination/fpgec/fpgec-application. You have three
materials as they are received and as quickly as options for filling out the application:
possible. The FPGEC will evaluate each application 1. Fill out the form on your computer using Adobe
package and all supporting documentation for Acrobat;
accuracy, authenticity, and fulfillment of program
requirements. The FPGEC will notify you in writing 2. Print the form and use a typewriter to fill it out; or
regarding the status of your program file including any 3. Print the form and use an ink pen to fill it out.
deficiencies. You will then be given an opportunity Please print using capital letters when filling the
to correct those deficiencies. It is your responsibility, form out by hand.
and not the FPGEC’s, to make sure that all required Once completed, the application and applicable fees
supporting documentation is submitted to the FPGEC should be submitted to:
in a timely manner. Note: The FPGEC may request NABP
additional information as determined necessary. 1600 Feehanville Drive
If all requirements are satisfactorily met, you will Mount Prospect, IL 60056-6014
receive a letter of acceptance to sit for the FPGEE. Telephone: 847/391-4406
Candidates accepted to take the FPGEE in past years Fax: 847/391-4502
are not guaranteed acceptance upon reapplying to sit
You must complete and submit a new application
for the examination.
form each time you apply to sit for the FPGEE,
Candidates for the FPGEC Certification Program
regardless of whether you submitted an application in
are advised that (1) falsification of the application,
the past.
or (2) the submission of any falsified documentation,
Note: The previous application form will no
including but not limited to educational documents,
longer be accepted.
to the FPGEC, or (3) the submission of any falsified
FPGEC documents to other agencies, or (4) the giving Photographs
or receiving of aid, or engages in any misconduct as Two identical, full-face photographs of passport
delineated in this Bulletin, in the FPGEE, TOEFL size and quality must be submitted with your
iBT, or (5) violates any examination that is required
4
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

application. Photographs must have been taken If you wish to retake the FPGEE, you must
within three months of the date the application is complete and submit a new application form, recent
mailed to NABP. Computer-generated, digital, or photographs, and appropriate fees to the FPGEC.
photocopies of photographs will not be accepted. Glue Before being accepted to retake the examination, all
or paste (do not staple or tape) one photograph to the of your previously submitted documentation will be
space indicated on the application form. The entire re-evaluated. If there is additional documentation
notarial seal, stamp, or signature of the official required, the FPGEC will notify you in writing.
who affirms page 3 of the application form must Please note that candidates accepted to take the
be legible and must overlap a portion of both the FPGEE in past years are not guaranteed acceptance
attached photograph and the application form. upon reapplying to sit for the examination.
The seal or signature must not cover the face in the
photograph. The other photograph will be used on the Refund and Withdrawal – NABP
FPGEC Certificate and therefore, must not be signed, If you wish to withdraw from the program once the
notarized, or contain any writing. application process has begun, you must request to
withdraw in writing. The following rules apply:
Submitting Fees to NABP for FPGEC 1. If the request is received before the evaluation
Payment in the correct form must accompany your process has started, your file is closed, a $50
application. Payments must be made to NABP in the administrative fee is imposed, and the application
form of a certified check, cashier’s check, or money materials along with any remaining fees are
order, payable in US funds through a US bank. The returned to you.
purchase date of the check or money order must 2. If the request is received after the evaluation
appear on all forms of payment. Personal checks, bank process has started, your file is closed, the
drafts, and cash or other unapproved forms of payment evaluation fee is retained and the application
will not be accepted. Your name, as it appears on the materials along with the appropriate examination
application form, should be shown on all payments. fee are returned to you.
Effective July 1, 2013, the fee schedule is as 3. If the request is received on a reexamination
follows: application prior to being accepted, your file is
Initial application: $1,200 (Includes a $450 closed, a $50 administrative fee is imposed, and
fee for the evaluation of documentation and a remaining fees are returned to you.
$750 fee for the examination.) 4. If you have been accepted to take the FPGEE, you
Re-examination after failure: $750 are not eligible for a refund.
Re-application after withdrawal or file 5. If you fail the FPGEE, you are not eligible for a
closure: $1,200 refund.
Equivalency Examination Number Please note that refunds will only be issued in the
When your required application materials are candidate’s name.
received, the FPGEC will assign you an equivalency Application for ECE
examination (EE) number, which is a permanent As a candidate, you must submit the ECE
identification number that must be used in all application to ECE with the appropriate fees. The ECE
communications with the FPGEC. You must enter this application may be obtained from ECE’s Web site,
number on any subsequent application forms and use it www.ece.org/nabp, or may be obtained by contacting
on all correspondence. ECE directly at:
Re-examination Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc
Effective January 1, 2012, you are permitted five PO Box 514070
attempts to take the FPGEE. Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
Phone: 414/289-3400
♦ If you have, as of January 1, 2012, already taken Web site: www.ece.org/nabp
the test five or more times you will be afforded one
additional testing opportunity. Submitting Fees to ECE
♦ If you have tested less than five times, you will be Payment to ECE must be made in US dollars
allowed opportunities to test totaling five attempts. by money order, check, or credit card (Visa® or
You are responsible for keeping track of how many MasterCard®). If the money order or check is issued by
times you have tested. The FPGEC will close your a bank outside of the US, it must contain the printed
program file when you have exhausted all allotted name of the US bank with which the bank is affiliated.
attempts for the FPGEE. ECE cannot accept bank drafts or cash. All fees are
subject to change without notice.

5
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

The fee is as follows: Street Address

General Evaluation Report – $85 Enter your full mailing street address. All
One copy of the General Evaluation Report is correspondence will be forwarded to this address.
included in this fee. The General Evaluation Report City
must be submitted to the FPGEC. Print the name of the city in which you live.
Refund and Withdrawal – ECE ZIP/Postal Code
A refund will be made only if you have paid to ECE Enter your ZIP or postal code.
more than the cost of the evaluation report prepared by
State
ECE. No refund will be made when an application is
Enter the name of the state in which you live.
canceled after the application form has been submitted,
or when all required documents are not provided. Province
Inquiries regarding refunds and withdrawals from ECE Enter the name of the province in which you live.
must be submitted to ECE directly. Country
Completing the FPGEC Application Form Enter the country in which you live.
When completing the application form, you must be United States Social Security Number:
certain to follow all instructions carefully and provide Indicate your Social Security number in the space
all information requested. Please type or print legibly. provided.
You must also be certain that the information provided Date of Birth
on the application form matches the information Enter the month, day, and year in which you were
contained in your supporting documents. born.
The following instructions will help you complete Gender
the application form. A completed sample application Enter the appropriate gender (male or female).
form for the FPGEC appears on pages 8 through 10 Marital Status
of this Bulletin to provide a visual reference to these Enter your present marital status.
instructions.
Maiden Name
Page 1 of the Application Form Print your full name (women only) as it appeared
(sample on page 8) before marriage. List in the order of First Name,
Middle Name, Family, or Surname. This section
Application Information must be completed even if your name did not
First Name change after marriage.
Enter all portions of your first name completely. Place of Birth.
Middle Name Enter the name of the city, state/province, and
Enter all portions of your middle name completely country in which you were born.
even if you customarily use only initials for part of Citizenship:
the name. At birth.
Last Name Print the name of the country in which you held
Enter your last name (family or surname) citizenship at the time of your birth.
completely. Always use the same form of your Upon entering pharmacy school:
name. When corresponding with the FPGEC, Print the name of the country in which you held
indicate your name as you have entered it in this citizenship at the time you entered pharmacy
item. However, if you change your name after school.
submitting an application, please refer to page 13, Current (now):
the “Candidate’s Name” section, in this Bulletin. Print the name of the country in which you
Have you ever applied to take the FPGEE before? currently hold citizenship.
Indicate whether or not you have previously Native Language:
applied to take the FPGEE. Print the name of your native language or mother
tongue.
EE Number
If you have ever been assigned an EE number by
the FPGEC, enter it in the space provided.
Enter your full mailing address, including
appropriate state or province and zip or postal
code.

6
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

Page 2 of the Application Form Was an unrestricted license required to practice

(sample on page 9) pharmacy in the country where you practice?
Indicate whether or not an unrestricted license was
Pharmacist Education Information required to practice pharmacy by selecting yes or no.
List the precise name of the schools where
pharmacy courses were taken. Also provide for Date license was issued:
each school the location (country); beginning and Enter the month and year in which the license to
ending dates of attendance; and the total number practice pharmacy was issued.
years you attended. Make certain to indicate both Was an unrestricted registration required to
the month and year in each date of attendance. practice pharmacy in the country where you
Include this information for all schools in which practice?
you took pharmacy courses for your degree to Indicate whether or not an unrestricted registration
be awarded. Also include schools in which pre- was required to practice pharmacy by selecting yes
pharmacy courses were taken. or no.
Pharmacy Degree(s) Date registration was issued:
First Pharmacy Degree Enter the month and year in which the registration
Select the title of the first degree in pharmacy you to practice pharmacy was issued.
received that led to the practice of pharmacy. Enter
the date this degree was issued. Make certain to Has any punitive action been taken against you by
indicate both the month and year of the date of any pharmacy licensing or registering authority or
issue. any recognized pharmacy organization, or have you
Advanced Degree been refused admission to a recognized pharmacy
If you obtained an advanced (post-graduate) degree organization?
in pharmacy, select the title of the degree obtained. Indicate yes or no. If the answer is yes, you must
Enter the date this degree was issued. Make certain provide a complete written explanation on a separate
to indicate both the month and year of the date of sheet of paper, including such details as date,
issue. location, charge, and any punitive action taken.
Pharmacist License and/or Registration Record
Was an unrestricted license required to practice Page 3 of the Application Form
pharmacy? (sample on page 10)
Indicate whether or not an unrestricted license
was required to practice pharmacy in the country Certification and Photograph.
or jurisdiction where your pharmacy degree was Read the certification statement. You must sign (do
earned by selecting yes or no. not print) your full name as it appears in English on
Date license was issued the first line indicated, but only in the presence of
Enter the month and year in which your license to one of the following officials who must complete
practice pharmacy was issued. the last two lines of the application: a Consular
Was an unrestricted registration required to Official, First-Class Magistrate, or Notary Public.
practice pharmacy? Please note that you may sign your name in pencil
Indicate whether or not an unrestricted registration or ink. Attach one of the required photographs of
was required to practice pharmacy in the country yourself in the box provided. The seal, stamp, or
or jurisdiction where your pharmacy degree was signature of the official attesting to your signature,
earned by selecting yes or no. must be legible and overlap a portion of both the
attached photograph and the application. Do not
Date registration was issued cover the face in the photograph. If the official
Enter the month and year in which your registration title and/or seal of the official attesting to your
to practice pharmacy was issued. signature are not in English, the FPGEC requires
If you did not obtain licensure and/or registration a translation. The absence of the appropriate
in a country or jurisdiction other than where you signatures, as well as alterations or erasures of
obtained your pharmacy degree: any kind will void your application form.
Indicate the name of the country or jurisdiction
where you are/were licensed and/or registered to
practice.

7
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

8
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

9
 FPGEC and ECE Application Procedures

Candidate’s
photograph must
be either glued
or pasted to the
application and
fit within the
parameters of
this box.

Official
stamp must
be placed at the
bottom left hand
corner of the photo,
similar to this
image.
Candidate must
sign in this area.
Any alterations or
erasures will void the The date line must
application. be completed
without any
alterations or
erasures.

The Consular Official, First-

Class Magistrate or Notary
Public must sign in this space
provided. If not, the application
will be voided.
10
Documentation of Pharmacist
Credentials
General Official Supporting Documentation organization specializing in the evaluation of foreign
Information educational credentials.
All candidates are required to submit an official You are required to submit two sets of your
transcript, proof of degree, and proof of license and/ pharmacy education documentation, the official
or registration. Official documents are those that transcript and official proof of degree, directly to
include an inked or impressed seal or stamp of the ECE according to the procedures and requirements
issuing body. Official documents must also include indicated in this section. Please see page 5 for details
an inked signature of the individual from the issuing on submitting an application to ECE.
body authorized to certify the document. The official You must request that ECE submit the General
document must be submitted in an envelope sealed Evaluation Report directly to the FPGEC along with
by the appropriate issuing body. A seal, stamp, or your supporting documentation. The FPGEC will
signature of an official must overlap the flap closure not accept General Evaluation Reports submitted by
and the envelope. The sealed envelope may be candidates.
submitted to the FPGEC by you or the issuing body.
Please note that ECE General Evaluation Reports
Any official document not in English, or that are archived after two years. Therefore, if your report
contains non-English stamps or seals, must be is more than two years old, you must advise the
accompanied with a word-for-word English FPGEC in writing with your application materials
translation. Please refer to the “Translation of Non- indicating the ECE reference number and the date of
English Documents” section on page 13. the report.
Please Note: The FPGEC has seen a rise Upon receipt of the General Evaluation Report
in fraudulent documents. These fraudulent from ECE, the FPGEC will continue the evaluation
documents come from entities pretending to process and advise you regarding the status of your
be official government offices with the right program file. ECE does not make any determination of
to approve documents. These entities say they eligibility for the FPGEC Certification Program.
can speed the authentication of educational and Official Transcript(s)
licensure and/or registration documents for use
An official transcript, detailing courses and grades,
abroad. You should tell friends and relatives
from your college, university, or pharmacy school is
gathering documents for you to make sure that
required. Official transcripts must include a school
documents are from the issuing bodies only. If
seal/stamp and the inked signature of a pharmacy
the FPGEC receives fraudulent documents, the
school official. Transcripts must indicate the dates you
application will be delayed and your acceptance
attended pharmacy school.
to the FPGEC Certification Program may be
jeopardized. If you were issued a pharmacy degree prior
to January 1, 2003, you must have completed a
The FPGEC, at its discretion, may require further minimum four-year pharmacy curriculum at the
documentation to qualify you for certification. Faxed time of graduation. If you were issued a pharmacy
official documents will not be accepted. degree on or after January 1, 2003, you must have
completed a minimum five-year pharmacy curriculum
Official Supporting Documentation to ECE at the time of graduation. If there were additional
If you are a new candidate for the FPGEC coursework requirements for graduation (for example
Certification Program, you must have your official pre-pharmacy coursework completed at the college
pharmacy school transcripts and degree qualification or university level), an official transcript of courses
verified by the Educational Credential Evaluators, and grades for these or other documentation proving
Inc (ECE). ECE is a not-for-profit public service completion of these, is also required. Coursework

11
 Documentation of Pharmacist Credentials

and internships completed after graduation will and/or registration was issued.
not be considered in determining the minimum
If a license and/or registration is required to practice
required curriculum length. Post-baccalaureate
pharmacy in the country or jurisdiction where you
pharmacy degrees will not be considered except
earned a pharmacy degree, you must obtain the license
under limited circumstances where the degree
and/or registration in that country or jurisdiction to be
obtained and coursework completed to obtain the
considered for FPGEC Certification. If both a license
degree satisfactorily show that the candidate obtained
and registration are required, you must submit official
experience in patient care in a clinical pharmacy
documentation of both.
practice setting. Consideration of post-baccalaureate
degrees and whether they may be applicable to If you were not a citizen of the country or
determine the minimum required curriculum length jurisdiction where your pharmacy degree was earned,
will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole and therefore were unable to obtain licensure and/or
discretion of the FPGEC. registration to practice pharmacy, you must submit
Unofficial photocopies of transcripts will not be 1. official proof of licensure and/or registration in
accepted. ECE will keep one of the official transcripts whichever country or jurisdiction it was obtained;
you send for its records and provide the other copy to and
FPGEC for its files. Transcripts will not be returned. 2. an official statement, issued by the appropriate
government official of the country or jurisdiction
Official Proof of Degree
where your degree was earned, confirming
Official proof of the pharmacy degree or that you would be eligible for licensure and/or
qualification from a pharmacy school indicating registration if you were a citizen.
the title of the degree or qualification and the date
of issuance is required. The pharmacy degree or If you were not a citizen of the country or
qualification you received must be the professional jurisdiction where your pharmacy degree was earned
degree leading to licensure and/or registration to and would have been eligible to obtain licensure and/
practice pharmacy. or registration to practice pharmacy there, however,
neither was obtained, you must submit
Alternate Procedures 1. official proof of licensure and/or registration in
If you have graduated from a pharmacy program whichever country or jurisdiction it was obtained;
prior to January 1, 2003, with at least a four-year and
curriculum, or on or after January 1, 2003, with at
least a five-year pharmacy curriculum, but cannot 2. an official statement, issued by the appropriate
provide documentation of your educational credentials government official of the country or jurisdiction
(transcript and degree) as required, you may be where your degree was earned, confirming
eligible for an alternate procedure. The alternate that you would be eligible for licensure and/or
procedure is considered only after the application form registration.
and supporting documentation have been evaluated by If neither a license and/or registration are required to
the FPGEC. A request for alternate procedures must practice pharmacy in the country or jurisdiction where
be submitted with the application. The FPGEC will you earned a pharmacy degree, you must submit
consider each request individually. 1. a request for an “Affidavit for Failure to Obtain
Only candidates authorized by the FPGEC to utilize Licensure in a Foreign Jurisdiction” with the
the alternate procedures will be permitted to do so. application materials (The FPGEC will provide
Appropriate forms will be provided to candidates by further information concerning this procedure to
the FPGEC. eligible candidates.); and
2. official documentation verified by the pharmacy
Official Supporting Documentation to FPGEC school or the applicable government agency that
Official Proof of Licensure and/or Registration neither licensure nor registration was required to
practice pharmacy.
Official proof of a license and/or registration to
practice pharmacy in the country or jurisdiction where Note: If you did not obtain a passing FPGEE score
you earned a pharmacy degree is required. Each in the past and are applying to retake the FPGEE,
license and/or registration must be unrestricted and your previously submitted documentation will be
certified by the appropriate government official of the re-evaluated. If there is additional documentation
jurisdiction issuing the license or registration. The required, the FPGEC will notify you in writing.
documentation must include the date that the license

12
 Documentation of Pharmacist Credentials

Submitting Additional Supporting Translation of Non-English Documents

Documentation Any document, including all seals and/or stamps,
Photo Identification not in English must be accompanied by an official
word-for-word English translation, prepared and
You must also submit to the FPGEC a certified certified as correct by an official translator. The
photocopy of a current photo identification, for FPGEC considers an official translator to be a certified
example, a driver’s license, a state-issued identification translator, a certified court interpreter, an authorized
card, or a passport. Refer to “Photocopies of government official, or an official from the pharmacy
Documents” for details on certifying copies of photo school where you obtained your pharmacy degree.
identification. Your name on the identification must You may also obtain an official translation from a
exactly match your name on your FPGEC application professional translation service or an appropriate
and supporting documentation. See page 18 for details language department at any university. The FPGEC
on name matching requirements. must be able to identify the name of the translator.
Each page of the translation must be signed and
Photocopies of Documents
dated by the translator, and must appear on official
Certified photocopies of documents, such as stationery. The translator must provide an attestation
birth certificates, marriage certificates, court orders statement regarding the accuracy of each translation.
approving a name change, or state-issued identification Proof of the translator’s credentials must accompany
cards, may be submitted to the FPGEC for review. each translation. You may not prepare your own
Certified photocopies of the documents are those translations.
where the words, “I have reviewed the original
document and attest that this is a true and exact Candidate’s Name
copy of the original” must be written directly on the Your name on the FPGEC application must
photocopy by a notary public, and include the notary match the name that appears on your supporting
public seal and signature. If a document is longer documentation. If you have changed your name, you
than one page, each page must be certified. Present must send a properly certified photocopy of a marriage
both the original document and a photocopy to the certificate or other legal document, such as a court
notary public for proper certification. The FPGEC will order, that indicates the former and current names.
not accept photocopies of documents that have been Note: Identification such as a drivers license, social
certified by you or that are not properly certified. In security card, or permanent resident card cannot
addition, the FPGEC will not accept “True Copy,” be considered as legal documentation of a name
Certified True Copy,” or “Attested Copy” in lieu of the change. Be sure that the information submitted on
attestation statement indicated above. the application form matches the information on all
If you are unable to submit properly certified supporting documentation.
photocopies of your additional supporting
documentation, the original documents must be
submitted directly to the FPGEC. You must request,
in writing to the FPGEC, to have original documents
returned.

13
General Information

Closed File Pharmacist and Pharmacy Achievement and

Your file will be closed and fees surrendered to Discipline Database
the FPGEC in the following situations: NABP’s Pharmacist and Pharmacy Achievement and
1. If you have scheduled an appointment for the Discipline® (PPAD®) database contains information
FPGEE, are absent the day of the examination, about pharmacists, interns, technicians, pharmacies,
and fail to cancel your registration within the time and other entities licensed by state boards of pharmacy.
period allowed. PPAD also lists those individuals who are awarded
2. If you are not yet certified and fail to correspond in FPGEC Certification. The information is listed on
writing with the FPGEC office, or to file an updated NABP’s Web site at www.nabp.net. If you do not want
application, for a period of two years. Note: In this your Certification listed on the Web site you must
instance, your FPGEE score will be voided upon write to the FPGEC and request that the Certification
file closure. not be listed.
3. If you fail the FPGEE five times, per a policy
effective January 1, 2012 (or in the case of those Special Testing Accommodations
candidates who have already tested five or more The FPGEC abides by all applicable federal and
times as of January 1, 2012, if you fail the FPGEE state statutes relating to the accommodation of disabled
after your next attempt). individuals. To ensure the security and integrity of
the examinations, the FPGEC will evaluate special
Note: Candidates who have exhausted the number of accommodation requests.
allowed attempts to take the FPGEE may not reapply An applicant must submit a request letter, along
for Certification. with the application materials, indicating the nature
Your file will be closed and applicable fees of his or her disability, the history of special testing
refunded in the following situations: accommodations that have been granted for such
disability, and the nature of the accommodations
1. After evaluation of all documentation it is
requested. With the request letter, the applicant must
determined that your credentials do not meet the
also submit a letter from the applicant’s qualified
criteria for eligibility for the FPGEC Certification
practitioner documenting the disability.
Program.
2. After repeated requests for appropriate Testing accommodations will be made only with the
documentation you remain unable to comply with authorization of the FPGEC.
the requirements in order to qualify for the FPGEC If testing accommodations are granted for any
Certification Program. examination that is required for FPGEC Certification,
The FPGEC will send notification of file closure, NABP may note the grant of accommodations on
in writing, to applicable candidates. Candidates will FPGEC Certification documentation, should the
have 30 days to appeal the file closure decision of the candidate achieve FPGEC Certification. Pharmacy
FPGEC. The FPGEC will review each appeal on a regulatory authorities that inquire about such a note
case-by-case basis. will only be provided with information about the
nature of the accommodations that were granted.
If you wish to pursue FPGEC Certification once
the file is closed, the application process, full fees,
supporting document review, and examination process
starts over as if you were a new candidate.

14
FPGEE Test Information
FPGEE Overview with NABP at http://fpgee.nabp.net. When registering,
The FPGEE is based on a nationally uniform content you must provide a current and valid e-mail address
blueprint. The blueprint, revised in 2011, provides because your Authorization to Test (ATT) will be sent
important information about the topics covered on the electronically and your FPGEE score report will be
examination and the competency areas that candidates available via secure download on the NABP Web site.
will be tested in. The blueprint is available on the NABP Registration with NABP will begin approximately
Web site at www.nabp.net/programs/ under FPGEE. 14 weeks before the test date, and the deadline to
complete registration will be about two weeks before the
The examination is a comprehensive measure of
examination is administered. See the NABP Web site for
knowledge in four major pharmacy content areas:
the dates pertaining to your assigned test date.
16% – Basic Biomedical Sciences
Note: If you change your e-mail address you must
30% – Pharmaceutical Sciences notify the FPGEC in writing of the change, including both
22% – Social/Behavioral/Administrative Pharmacy the old and the new e-mail address.
Sciences Your FPGEE Identification Card is valid for one of
32% – Clinical Sciences your first two consecutive testing opportunities only. You
will be required to reapply for the FPGEE if you miss
The FPGEE is a 250-question multiple choice both of these testing opportunities or if you fail your first
examination using a computerized format administered attempt. A new FPGEE Identification Card will be issued
over a five-and-one-half hour testing period. The if you are required to reapply for the examination.
examination is administered twice a year at more than
200 Pearson VUE testing centers in the continental Please be sure to retain your FPGEE Identification
United States. Card, as a fee of $25 will be charged to obtain a
duplicate. Payment must be made to NABP in the form
Testing Administration of a certified check, cashier’s check, or money order,
The FPGEE is administered by Pearson VUE at its payable in US funds and drawn through a US bank. The
Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) in the continental purchase date of the check or money order must appear on
United States. The FPGEE will not be available at PPCs all forms of payment. Personal checks, and cash or other
in Alaska or Hawaii. Two test dates will be offered unapproved forms of payment will not be accepted. Your
each year; one in the spring and one in the fall. Exact name as it appears on your FPGEE Identification Card
dates are available on the NABP Web site. Only those and your EE number must be indicated on your payment.
candidates who have been accepted by the FPGEC to
sit for the FPGEE will be allowed to register for the Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE
examination. You will be given the opportunity to take Within one week of registering to test with NABP
the test on one of two consecutive testing opportunities. you will receive your ATT via e-mail from Pearson
If you are unable to test during your two VUE with the instructions on how to schedule your
opportunities due to a work, health, or visa issues testing appointment and other important information
you must provide NABP with official documentation for the FPGEE. You may not schedule an appointment
of why you are unable to test in order to be offered to test until this notification has been received. Each
an additional opportunity to sit for the examination. ATT issued is unique for each specific examination,
FPGEC policy also states that all applicants must take the so you must wait to receive a new ATT if you do not
FPGEE within three years of the original acceptance date. schedule a test site for your first opportunity.
Note: You should contact Pearson VUE if you have
Registering to Test with NABP not received your ATT within one week of registering
Once the FPGEC determines you are eligible to take with NABP.
the examination, you will receive a FPGEE Identification
Registration and ATT information will not be
Card, which will contain instructions to begin the
given via phone or fax.
registration process. Before scheduling your examination
appointment, candidates are required to register online
15
 FPGEE Test Information

Scheduling Your Examination Appointment also submit a letter from the applicant’s qualified
Upon receipt of your ATT from Pearson VUE you practitioner documenting the disability.
may schedule an appointment to test depending upon Testing accommodations will be made only with the
availability at the PPC. Appointments are made on a authorization of the FPGEC.
first-come, first-served basis. Your notification e-mail If testing accommodations are granted for any
will indicate the time frame within which you may examination that is required for FPGEC Certification,
schedule your appointment. You should schedule NABP may note the grant of accommodations on
your appointment for the upcoming examination as FPGEC Certification documentation, should the
soon as you receive your ATT. Waiting to schedule candidate achieve FPGEC Certification. Pharmacy
your testing appointment may significantly decrease regulatory authorities that inquire about such a note
the availability of your preferred test center, as each will only be provided with information about the
PPC has only a select number of seats available. nature of the accommodations that were granted.
You must adhere to the following procedures when
scheduling your appointment: Scheduling for Special Testing Accommodations
Candidates approved for special testing
1. You cannot make a testing appointment until accommodations by NABP should schedule
you have received your ATT from Pearson examination appointments by contacting Pearson
VUE. You may schedule your examination at a VUE’s customer service department at 1-800/466-0450.
PPC through the Pearson VUE Web site (www.
pearsonvue.com/nabp) or by calling Pearson VUE Canceling/Failing to Attend Your Examination
customer service at 1-888/709-2679. Appointment
2. To schedule your examination online, visit All cancelations of scheduled examination
www.pearsonvue.com/nabp. Follow the appointments must be made through Pearson VUE.
instructions to set up a Web account and select Cancelations must be made at least five business days
your preferred testing location. prior to your scheduled appointment. For example, if
3. If you choose to call Pearson VUE’s customer service you are scheduled to test on Tuesday, April 14, you
department to schedule an appointment, you will be must cancel your appointment by the end of the day on
asked to verify your identity, including verification of Monday, April 6.
your equivalency examination number, last and first If extreme circumstances require you to cancel less
name, as well as other demographic information. than five business days before the examination, you will
be required to pay a resitting fee of $150 to receive a new
4. The Pearson VUE customer service agent will ATT to schedule an appointment for the next FPGEE.
search by location. If you have a preferred site, Payment must be made to NABP in the form of a certified
the agent can search that site for appointment check, cashier’s check, or money order, payable in US
availability. To review the locations of the PPCs, funds and drawn through a US bank. The purchase date
please visit www.pearsonvue.com/nabp. of the check or money order must appear on all forms of
5. Once your appointment has been scheduled, you payment. Personal checks, and cash or other unapproved
will receive a confirmation e-mail that provides forms of payment will not be accepted. Your name as it
the details of your examination appointment, appears on your FPGEE Identification Card and your EE
directions to your selected test center, and number must be indicated on your payment. Once your
additional instructions for the FPGEE. fee has been received, you will be required to register
again with NABP to test and to receive a new ATT. Note:
Special Testing Accommodations Additional documentation may be required by the FPGEC.
The FPGEC abides by all applicable federal If you fail to arrive for your scheduled appointment
and state statutes relating to the accommodation without previously notifying NABP and Pearson VUE,
of disabled individuals. To ensure the security and you will forfeit your initial application fee and your
integrity of the examinations, the FPGEC will evaluate program file will be closed. There are no exceptions to this
special accommodation requests. policy. You will need to submit a new application, two
An applicant must submit a request letter, along passport size photos, and a $1,200 re-application fee to
with the application materials, indicating the nature NABP in order to be considered for a future FPGEE.
of his or her disability, the history of special testing You must contact NABP if you can not take the
accommodations that have been granted for such FPGEE during the assigned testing opportunity and have
not scheduled an examination appointment with Pearson
disability, and the nature of the accommodations VUE. See the FPGEE Administration section of this
requested. With the request letter, the applicant must Bulletin for more information.

16
FPGEE Administration

On the Day of the Examination the required identifying information, you will
Review the following information before your not be permitted to take the examination. In the
examination administration. event that you are unable to provide a digital
1. Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes signature or palm vein pattern, you must contact
before your scheduled testing time to allow for NABP at least 30 days prior to your examination
check-in procedures. If you arrive at the test center date. For more information about examination
30 minutes after your scheduled examination time, administration, including the check-in process
you will forfeit your appointment. If you forfeit and palm vein scans, please contact Pearson VUE
your appointment, there will be no refund customer service at 1-888/709-2679.
of your testing fee and you will be required 4. Once you have been admitted, the test center
to reapply for the FPGEE and submit the administrator will escort you to a workstation. You
appropriate retake fee in order to retest. must remain in your seat during the examination,
2. When you arrive at the test center, you will be except when authorized to leave by a test center
required to present your FPGEE Identification Card administrator in accordance with NABP policies
and a primary form of ID that contains a recent and procedures. You may not leave the testing
photograph and signature. It is also recommended room or test center without the test administrator’s
that you bring a secondary ID that contains your permission. You may not leave the test building
name and signature. (More information is included for any reason during your scheduled examination
in the “Identification Requirements” section that appointment. If you leave the testing room or test
follows.) Your test administrator will instruct you to center without permission or the test building for
put all personal belongings in a locker and provide any reason prior to completing your examination,
instructions on where to keep your ID. Each time you will forfeit your appointment to test and you
you enter and leave the testing room, your identity will be required to reapply for the examination.
will be verified. There will be no refund of your FPGEE fee.
3. NABP testing vendor, Pearson VUE, began 5. The administrator will provide you with an
implementing palm vein technology in its testing erasable note board and marker to use during your
centers in 2008. On May 3, 2010, NABP will examination. You may not remove the note boards
require palm vein scans of examination candidates. or markers from the testing room at any time. You
For first-time test takers on or after May 3, will not be allowed to take your own scratch paper
2010, a palm vein scan will be taken instead of or pencil into the testing room. You can activate an
a digital fingerprint. However, if a candidate had on-screen calculator during the examination.
a fingerprint taken for an NABP examination 6. Before starting your examination, you will be
prior to May 3, 2010, he or she will need to required to read and agree to a Confidentiality
provide a fingerprint and a palm vein scan will be Agreement established by NABP.
performed. 7. Raise your hand to notify the administrator of the
Pearson VUE testing center staff will take a digital following:
photograph of each examination candidate, and ♦ you think you have problems with your
each candidate will provide his or her digital computer;
signature, and a digital fingerprint and/or palm ♦ you need to take a break; or
vein scan. For palm vein scans, a device will ♦ you need the administrator for any other reason.
be used to digitally record the pattern of the 8. The FPGEE consists of 250 questions. You will
candidate’s palm veins. Candidate palm vein have 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete the
patterns are digitally encrypted and securely examination. The examination will begin when the
transmitted to Pearson VUE. If you do not provide first question appears on the screen.

17
 FPGEE Administration

Before beginning the FPGEE, you will be allotted Identification Requirements

10 minutes to complete a tutorial. At the end of The ID requirements for admission to the testing
the examination, you will have 15 minutes to center consist of the FPGEE Identification Card
complete a brief optional survey. Half way through and a primary form of ID that contains a recent
the examination, you will have a mandatory photograph and signature. Note: Without the FPGEE
30-minute break. Your palm vein pattern must be Identification Card and primary form of ID you will
scanned when you re-enter the testing room. These not be admitted to the examination.
times will not count toward the 5 hours and 30 Your name on your identification must match your
minutes allotted to complete the FPGEE. name on your FPGEE Identification Card (See the
9. The format of the examinations requires that all “Name Matching Guidelines” section that follows for
test questions be answered in the order in which important details regarding middle names and initials).
they are presented. You will not be allowed to Forms of ID that have expired are not considered to be
skip a question or return to a previous question valid. Please note, if your forms of identification are not
until all items have been completed. However in English, an official translation of your IDs must be
you will be able to mark questions for review as provided. Your signature on your IDs must match your
you answer them. Once you have answered all digital signature provided on the day of the examination
questions for a section, you will have the option as well as your signature on your FPGEC application. It
to return to the items you marked for review is also recommended that you bring a secondary form of
and change the answer if you so choose. ID that contains your name and signature.
10. When you have completed your time on the Temporary IDs and IDs Not Included on the
examination there is an optional end-of-examination
survey after which the test administrator will collect Acceptable List
your note board and marker and walk you through All candidates using forms of temporary
the check-out process. identification (including state-issued temporary
driver’s licenses or state-issued temporary ID cards)
Non-Disclosure Agreement are instructed to contact NABP at least five business
Before starting the FPGEE you will be required days prior to the examination to ensure this form of
to read the terms and conditions of the NABP Non- identification is validated by NABP. Additionally,
Disclosure Agreement for NABP Examinations. If candidates using any other forms of identification
you agree, select the box to confirm that you agree EXCEPT the ones listed above as unacceptable must
to the Non-Disclosure Agreement and proceed to the contact NABP and present the identification for
application. You will not be able to proceed if you do validation at least five business days prior to their
not accept the terms of the Agreement. test administration. You will NOT be admitted to
Break Information Update the examination without the proper ID, and you will
NOT have an opportunity to reschedule your testing
Before starting the examination, you will have 10
appointment at the test center. There will be no refund
minutes to complete a mandatory tutorial. Part 1 of the
of your testing fee.
examination lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and is followed
by a mandatory 30-minute break. Your palm vein pattern Name Matching Guidlines
must be scanned anytime you re-enter the testing room. The printed name on both your primary and
Please note, if you complete Part 1 of the FPGEE prior to secondary forms of ID must match the name that
the 2 hours and 45 minutes allotted, you may not begin appears on your FPGEE Identification Card. Some
Part 2 of the examination until the time allotted for Part flexibility is allowed regarding the matching of
1 and the mandatory break has passed. You will then be middle names and initials. It is acceptable for your
allowed 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete Part 2 of the ID to contain your full middle name(s) and for your
examination. Once finished, you are allotted 15 minutes FPGEE ID Card to contain only your middle initial(s),
for an optional survey. You may leave the test building as long as the middle initial(s) matches the first
once you have completed Part 2 of your examination. letter(s) of your middle name(s). Similarly, if your
The 10-minute tutorial, 30-minute mandatory break, FPGEE ID Card contains your full middle name(s)
and an optional 15-minute closing survey will not count and your ID contains only your middle initial(s),
towards your 5 hour and 30 minute examination time. All you will be admitted to test if the middle initial(s)
test center restrictions, security measures, and codes on your ID matches the first letter(s) of the middle
of conduct also apply during the break. name(s) on your FPGEE ID Card. The chart below

18
 FPGEE Administration

contains examples of acceptable and unacceptable ♦ Social Security card

combinations. ♦ Employee ID
♦ Temporary forms of ID (unless state approved
ATT ID Acceptable and validated by NABP)
John D. Smith John David Smith Yes ♦ Green card
John David Smith John D. Smith Yes If you arrive at the test center without the
John Smith John David Smith No appropriate credentials, you will be subject to refusal
John D. Smith John Smith No of entrance into the examination. There will be no
refund of your testing fee. You will be required
John David Smith John Smith No
to reapply for the FPGEE. If you wish to retake
the FPGEE, you must complete and submit a new
If the name(s) on both your primary and secondary application form, recent photographs, and appropriate
IDs do not match the name on your FPGEE ID Card, fees to the FPGEC. Before being accepted to retake
you must correct the discrepancy by contacting the the examination, all of your previously submitted
FPGEC in writing at least 30 business days prior to documentation will be re-evaluated. If you arrive at the
the date of your scheduled examination. If the name test center without the appropriate credentials, you will
on your FPGEE ID card is different from the name be subject to refusal of entrance into the examination.
on your IDs, you will not be permitted to test. Name There will be no refund of your testing fee. You
updates cannot be completed at the test center. will be required to reapply for the FPGEE and pay the
appropriate retake fee if you wish to reschedule your
Candidates whose name has changed since they examination appointment. For FPGEC fee schedule,
applied for the FPGEE will be required to submit legal see page 5.
name change documentation to the FPGEC at least
Name Changes
30 business days prior to the date of the scheduled
Candidates who have had their name legally
examination.
changed must contact the FPGEC at least 30 days
Acceptable Forms of ID prior to the examination day. Name changes cannot
You must present one of the following acceptable be completed at the test center and documentation
primary IDs, which must be current (not expired) brought to the test center confirming your name
and contain a recent recognizable photograph and change will not be accepted. The only acceptable
signature. forms of legal documentation are marriage license,
A secondary ID may be requested. Acceptable forms divorce decree, or other legal documents, such as a
of secondary ID, which must be current, include the court order. All documents must be in English, or
following: accompanied by a certified translation and certified.
♦ Passport Photcopies of original documents may be submitted
♦ Other valid government-issued ID (including (See Photocopies of Documents” and “Translations
US-issued driver’s licenses and state IDs) of Non-English Documents” sections for detailed
A secondary ID may be requested at the testing requirements.
center. Acceptable forms of secondary ID, which must If the name on your FPGEE ID card is different
be current, include the following: from the name on your IDs, you will not be permitted
♦ Driver’s license to test.
♦ Passport Test Center Restrictions
♦ US Passport Card To ensure that examination results for all candidates
♦ Military ID are earned under comparable conditions and represent
♦ US Military ID (If issued after 2004, shows a fair and accurate measurement of a candidate’s
thumbprint in lieu of a signature.) individual skills, knowledge, and competence, it is
♦ Valid debit/credit card necessary to maintain a standardized and secure testing
Unacceptable ID documents include, but are environment. Therefore, all candidates must adhere to
not limited to, the following: the following regulations:
♦ ID with no photo (unless accompanied by ♦ No reference, study, or other materials or
another primary form of ID with photo) devices may be brought into the testing center.
♦ Expired passport ♦ Candidates will not be allowed to take
♦ Expired driver’s license anything into the testing room at the PPC
♦ Draft classification card other than those items given to them by the
♦ Letter of identity from a notary test center administrator. Prohibited items may

19
 FPGEE Administration

not be accessed at any time during the FPGEE are in place and every reasonable effort will be made
administration. Prohibited items include, to retrieve testing data. Once power is restored,
but are not limited to, the following: candidates will be able to continue their testing
pagers, calculators, cell phones, electronic sessions from the point at which they were interrupted.
digital devices (eg, personal digital assistants, If technical issues cause you to wait more than 30
watches), recording devices, weapons, minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you
photographic devices, briefcases, computers will be given the choice of continuing to wait until
or computer bags, handbags or purses, book after the delay to begin/continue your examination or
bags or backpacks, wallets, books, outerwear rescheduling your appointment at the next scheduled
(eg, coats, hats), facial tissue, and contents of administration without an additional fee.
pockets. You will be required to leave your
personal belongings outside the testing room. Security Measures
Secure storage will be provided, but space is The FPGEE is the property of NABP and is a
limited. Test centers assume no responsibility confidential examination that is protected by trade
for candidates’ personal belongings. secret law, copyright law, and other applicable state
♦ Food and/or drink may be brought to the and federal laws and regulations. The FPGEE will be
FPGEE; however, it must be stored in the made available to the examination candidate solely
secure storage area and may only be accessed for the purpose of becoming eligible for FPGEC
during the 30-minute break. Certification. Examination candidates are expressly
♦ Use of tobacco is not allowed in the testing room. prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing,
♦ Friends or relatives who accompany you will transmitting, receiving without authorization, or
not be permitted to wait in the test center or making available the examination including, but not
test room during your admission or during limited to, examination question format, questions,
your examination, and are not permitted profiles, and scenarios, in whole or in part, in any form
to contact you while you are taking the and by any means, whether verbal, written, electronic,
examination. or mechanical for any purpose.
♦ Candidates cannot leave the test building If NABP obtains information indicating a candidate
during the examination. If the candidate disclosed, published, reproduced, transmitted, received
leaves the testing room or test center (suite without authorization, or made available any portion
or office where the test room is located of the examination, as described above, in any form
as well as the check in and secure storage to or from individuals, organizations, study groups,
area) without permission of the test site or the like, such candidate forfeits the right to have
administrator or leaves the test building at any his or her examination graded, NABP may invalidate
time during the examination, administration such candidate’s examination score, and/or NABP
of the examination will be terminated and may initiate civil, criminal, and/or administrative
the candidate’s examination score will be proceedings that may result in civil penalties, criminal
invalidated. punishments, and/or disciplinary action including
What to Do in Case of Inclement Weather licensure revocation by the candidate’s board of
In the event of a testing center closing due to pharmacy.
inclement weather, Pearson VUE will attempt to
contact the candidate. However, it is the responsibility Numerous security measures will be enforced during
of the individual candidate to contact Pearson VUE the test administration to ensure the integrity of the
to determine if the test center is open. If the PPC program. Be aware that you will be observed at all times
where the candidate is scheduled to test is open and while taking the examination. This observation may
the candidate does not keep his or her scheduled include direct observation by test center staff, as well as
appointment, the candidate forfeits all fees and no video and audio recording of your testing session.
portion of the examination fee will be refunded.
If Your Computer Experiences Technical Misconduct
Difficulties Individuals who engage in any of the following
conduct forfeit their testing fees, will be dismissed
On rare occasions, technical difficulties occur from the test administration, and their test scores will
at the testing center. If you experience a computer be invalidated.
technical difficulty, notify the test center administrator
immediately. Every effort will be made to correct any Examples of misconduct are when a candidate:
difficulties as quickly as possible. Should the testing
♦ uses electronic communications or recording
center experience a loss of power, back-up systems
20
 FPGEE Administration

equipment including, but not limited to, a personal natural disasters and other emergencies). When group
digital assistant, camera, pager, or cellular phone; testing irregularities occur, Pearson VUE will conduct
♦ during the examination gives, receives, or an investigation to provide information to NABP.
attempts to give or receive help with the following Based on this information, NABP may direct Pearson
including, but not limited to, examination VUE either not to score the test or to cancel the test
questions, examination answers, completing or score. If NABP deems it appropriate to do so, NABP
copying the examination; will arrange with Pearson VUE to give affected test
♦ attempts to take the examination for someone else; takers the opportunity to take the test again as soon
♦ uses notes, books, or other aids during the as possible, without charge. Affected test takers will
examination; be notified of the reasons for the cancelation and their
♦ brings any materials, devices, or items to the test options for retaking the test. The appeal process does
center that may compromise the administration not apply to group testing irregularities.
of any candidate’s examination;
♦ fails, after a warning, to follow an administrator’s Notification to Authorities
instructions; NABP reserves right to share with pharmacy regulatory
♦ removes or attempts to remove note boards, pens, or law enforcement authorities information concerning the
or examination questions, answers, or content cancelation or invalidation of a candidate’s score on any
from the test center; examination that is required for FPGEC Certification, the
♦ tampers with the operation of the computer or withholding of an FPGEC Certificate, the disqualification
attempts to use it for any function other than of a candidate from the FPGEC Certification Program, or
taking the examination; the revocation of a candidate’s FPGEC Certificate.
♦ creates a disturbance of any kind; Retake Policy
♦ shares information about the examination Effective January 1, 2012, all current and new FPGEC
including, but not limited to, examination candidates are allowed a maximum of five attempts to
questions, examination answers, or examination successfully pass the FPGEE. Those candidates who have
profiles, with a unauthorized persons; or already met or exceeded this limitation will be allowed
♦ leaves the test building during the examination. one final attempt at passing the FPGEE, regardless of how
If the candidate leaves the testing room or many times they have tested prior to January 1, 2012.
test center (suite or office where the test room Those candidates will have three consecutive opportunities,
is located as well as the check in and secure beginning January 2012, to test one final time.
storage area) without permission of the test site
administrator or leaves the test building at any Candidates that do not pass the FPGEE upon the final
time during the examination, administration allowed attempt will have their program file closed by
of the examination will be terminated and the the FPGEC and will be ineligible for further testing.
candidate’s examination score will be invalidated. Candidates who did not pass the FPGEE and have
Group Irregularities not tested the maximum number of times will need to
submit a new application and appropriate fee of $750
Unlike cases of individual candidate misconduct, to NABP to reapply to take a future FPGEE. Payment
occasionally testing irregularities occur that affect a must be made to NABP in the form of a certified
group of test takers. Such problems include, without check, cashier’s check, or money order, payable in US
limitation, administrative errors, defective equipment funds and drawn through a US bank. The purchase
or materials, improper access to test content and/or date of the check or money order must appear on all
the unauthorized general availability of test content, forms of payment. Personal checks, and cash or other
as well as other disruptions of test administrations (eg, unapproved forms of payment will not be accepted.
Your name as it appears on your FPGEE application
form and your EE number must be indicated on your
payment.

21
FPGEE Score Results

Your FPGEE Score Results purchase date of the check or money order must appear on
Your score result will be available for electronic all forms of payment. Personal checks, and cash or other
download from a secure Web site approximately eight unapproved forms of payment will not be accepted. Your
weeks after the test administration. The minimum name as it appears on your FPGEE Identification Card and
acceptable passing score on the FPGEE is a 75. The your EE number must be indicated on your payment. The
score is a scaled, equated score. It is not a tally of request must be submitted in writing and the $100 must
the number of questions answered correctly, nor is accompany the letter. Your request must include your name
it a percentage score. It is equated to ensure that any as it appears on your FPGEE Identification Card and your
difference in the difficulty of questions on a particular EE number. You will be informed in writing of the score
form of the FPGEE will not affect the scaled score review within two to four weeks.
you receive, and that your scaled score will not be FPGEE Score Invalidation
influenced by the scores of other candidates who NABP reserves the right to determine, in its sole
take the same examination at the same time you do. discretion and at any time, whether one or more
The range of possible scaled scores on the FPGEE is examinations and their scores are valid or invalid. In
between 1 and 150. addition, NABP reserves the right to cancel or invalidate
Score reports for candidates who receive a failing scores that have already been reported if NABP obtains
score on the FPGEE will include a diagnostic report, information indicating that they are invalid, regardless
which indicates their relative performance in each of whether there is evidence of a candidate’s personal
major competency area. Because of the secure nature involvement in irregular activities.
of the FPGEE no further review of the test questions is The basis for invalidating individual or group
allowed. examination scores may occur prior to, during, or after
Effective January 1, 2012, your FPGEE score examination administration and include, but are not
will be valid for five years from the date of the limited to, the following: examination administration
examination. Candidates who do not complete the errors, equipment malfunction, candidate misconduct,
FPGEC Certification process before their FPGEE noncompliance with policies, observed irregular behavior,
score expires will be required to retake the FPGEE if discrepancy/falsification of an examinee’s identification,
they wish to pursue certification in the future. impersonating an examinee or allowing an unauthorized
person to take the examination, unusual answer patterns,
The five-year validity period of an FPGEE score unusual or large score variances among a candidate’s
applies to current candidates who have already passed examinations, leaving a testing center facility, accessing
the FPGEE but have not obtained their FPGEC examination materials prior to taking the examination,
Certificate. For example, a passing score on the stealing examination materials, communicating with
December 6, 2008 FPGEE is valid until December 6, other test-takers during an examination administration,
2013. Candidates with open program files who tested disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting an
and passed the FPGEE more than five years ago will examination, in whole or in part, in any form or by any
have one year, until December 31, 2012, to complete means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any
the requirements for certification before the score purpose. NABP’s right to determine whether examinations
expires. (See page 14 for information on closed files.) and scores are invalid is not in any way waived or modified
FPGEE Score Review because NABP processed an examination registration
On occasion, a candidate may believe that the score form, authorized a candidate to sit for an examination,
reported is not accurate. Please note that prior to the release scored an examination, or reported an examination result.
of FPGEE scores all scores are carefully validated. You Notification to Authorities
will be able to have your FPGEE score verified for a fee NABP reserves right to share with pharmacy regulatory
of $100. Payment must be made to NABP in the form or law enforcement authorities information concerning the
of a certified check, cashier’s check, or money order, cancelation or invalidation of a candidate’s score on any
payable in US funds and drawn through a US bank. The examination that is required for FPGEC Certification.

22
Pre-FPGEE
What is the Pre-FPGEE? mechanical, for any purpose is prohibited at all times.
Pre-FPGEE Overview If NABP obtains information indicating an
The Pre-FPGEE is an FPGEE practice examination examination candidate disclosed, published,
written and developed by NABP. A computerized reproduced, transmitted, received without
examination delivered via the Internet, the Pre-FPGEE authorization, or made available any portion of the
is designed to familiarize you with the types of Pre-FPGEE, as described above, in any form to or
questions, test layout, and content areas that appear on from individuals, organizations, study groups, or the
the FPGEE. When taking the Pre-FPGEE, candidates like, NABP may take actions against the candidate
are allotted 85 minutes to complete the 66-question resulting in but not limited to disqualification from
examination. This time limit is proportional to the time the FPGEE program, civil penalties and/or criminal
allowed on the FPGEE. Candidates are able to review proceedings.
previously answered questions or change answers at Registering for the Pre-FPGEE
any time during the examination. The Pre-FPGEE can be accessed by visiting the
In preparing for the Pre-FPGEE, it is suggested Programs page on the NABP Web site (www.nabp.
that candidates review the FPGEE Competency net/programs/examination/pre-fpgee). Candidates
Statements, which can be accessed on the NABP Web must first create an NABP e-Profile to purchase the
site (www.nabp.net/programs/examination/fpgee/ examination. Please make certain that when creating
fpgee-blueprint). To best interpret the score obtained your e-Profile, you enter your name exactly as it
on the Pre-FPGEE, it is recommended that the appears on your FPGEC program file.
examination be taken without the use of study aids or The fee for the Pre-FPGEE is $50. Candidates
reference materials. register online and may use any major credit card.
Note: If you are considering taking a review course There are no refunds once the practice examination has
before the examination, please be aware that the been purchased. Once candidates register and pay for
FPGEC does not endorse ANY specific review course. the Pre-FPGEE, they will have seven days to take the
FPGEE test questions are kept under strict, secure examination.
conditions, thus the only questions truly representative Please note that candidates may only take each
of the test are those that appear in the Pre-FPGEE. Pre-FPGEE test form once; however, a new form
Those who complete the Pre-FPGEE will be given is available approximately four weeks before each
a scaled score based on their answers to the questions. FPGEE administration.
Pre-FPGEE scores are interpreted in a similar fashion
Minimum System Requirements to Take the Pre-
as the FPGEE. Candidates will have the ability to
FPGEE
print their score report for their personal records. Pre-
To take the Pre-FPGEE, a computer running either
FPGEE scores will not be released to anyone other
Microsoft Windows or Mac OS operating systems is
than the candidate. The Pre-FPGEE is a practice
required, and the following Internet requirements must
exam and is not designed to predict FPGEE scores.
be met:
Your Pre-FPGEE score may significantly differ from
♦ Internet Explorer 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 with text size set
your actual FPGEE score. NABP does not claim that
to medium or smaller.
a strong performance on the Pre-FPGEE predicts
♦ Mozilla Firefox 3.0 and higher.
passing the FPGEE.
♦ The latest version of Apple Safari.
Security Measures ♦ The latest version of Google Chrome.
The contents of the Pre-FPGEE are confidential and ♦ A high-speed, or broadband, Internet connection for
protected under applicable intellectual property rights, optimal performance.
including copyright laws. All documents, examination ♦ Access to a printer for printing score reports.
questions, answers, and confidential information Who to Contact If You Experience Technical
received from this exam shall remain the exclusive Difficulties
property of NABP. The disclosing, publishing, Please contact NABP Customer Service at 847/391-
reproducing, transmitting, receiving without 4406 should you experience any computer problems
authorization, or making available the Pre-FPGEE while registering for or taking the Pre-FPGEE.
including, but not limited to, examination question Customer Service is available Monday through Friday,
format, questions, in whole or in part, in any form and 9 am to 5 pm Central time.
by any means, whether verbal, written, electronic, or
23
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
1600 Feehanville Drive
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
847/391-4406
www.nabp.net