Education

To register as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in Ontario, applicants must have graduated from an accredited pharmacy education program, or an international pharmacy education program recognized by PEBC and an approved bridging education program.

Accredited Pharmacy Programs

The College accepts pharmacy programs that have been accredited to Canadian standards by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), and pharmacy degree programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

Graduates of these accredited programs are commonly referred to as “CCAPP graduates” or “ACPE graduates”.

International Programs

International pharmacy educational programs not accredited by the CCAPP or the ACPE may be recognized by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) as one whose graduates may be eligible to pursue registration as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in Canada. Graduates from these programs must complete the PEBC process to become eligible to take the PEBC Qualifying Examination.

Graduates of international programs are commonly referred to as “international pharmacy graduates” (IPGs) or “internationally educated pharmacy technician applicants” (IEPTAs).

Bridging Education

The OCP Board has approved the International Pharmacy Graduates Program (IPG Program) as the required bridging program for pharmacist applicants. Internationally educated pharmacy technician applicants must successfully complete the Canadian Health Care System, Culture and Context for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals course and any program approved by the Registration Committee as their bridging education program.

Successful completion of the relevant bridging education program is a non-exemptible registration requirement for IPGs or IEPTAs, except for those applicants who successfully complete the relevant PEBC Qualifying Examination, Parts I and II on their first attempt.

Expiry & Validity Dates

The educational requirements for registration as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician must have been met within the two years before applying to ensure that the practitioner has current knowledge and skills to practise safely. There are alternative measures to enable the applicant to demonstrate currency of education.

Resolutions and Policies

The OCP Board has approved three resolutions regarding education.