NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy)
NAPLEX
North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination
The licensure exam every pharmacist in the US must pass to practice. Tests whether a PharmD graduate can safely select, dispense, and manage drug therapy — the single national gateway to a pharmacist license.
What's on the exam
NAPLEX Competency Statements
Obtain, Interpret, or Assess Data, Medical, or Patient Information
~18%Laboratory values and diagnostics · Patient history and physical findings · Signs and symptoms of disease · Drug interaction screening · Medication reconciliation
Identify Drug Characteristics
~14%Pharmacology and mechanism of action · Brand/generic names and classes · Pharmacokinetics · Contraindications and warnings · Adverse drug reactions
Develop or Manage Treatment Plans
~35%Drug therapy selection · Dosing and dose adjustments · Monitoring parameters · Managing drug interactions · Evidence-based treatment guidelines · Therapy modification and discontinuation
Perform Calculations
~14%Doses and concentrations · IV flow rates · Compounding calculations · Pharmacokinetic calculations · Biostatistics
Compound, Dispense, or Administer Drugs, or Manage Delivery Systems
~11%Sterile and non-sterile compounding · Stability and compatibility · Routes and devices of administration · Packaging, storage, and disposal
Develop or Manage Practice or Medication-Use Systems to Ensure Safety and Quality
~7%Medication error identification and prevention · Patient safety strategies · Quality improvement · Hazardous drug handling
Frequently asked questions
How much does the NAPLEX cost?
Fees vary. Approximately $475 NABP fee, plus state board application/licensure fees.
How long is the NAPLEX and how many questions does it have?
225 items (200 scored, 25 unscored) — 6 hours (with scheduled breaks).
What do you need to pass the NAPLEX?
Scaled score of 75 or higher.
Can you retake the NAPLEX?
After 45 days; attempt limits set by state boards (commonly up to 5).
What is the best way to study for the NAPLEX?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Obtain, Interpret, or Assess Data, Medical, or Patient Information ~18%, Identify Drug Characteristics ~14%, Develop or Manage Treatment Plans ~35%, Perform Calculations ~14%, Compound, Dispense, or Administer Drugs, or Manage Delivery Systems ~11%, Develop or Manage Practice or Medication-Use Systems to Ensure Safety and Quality ~7%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 7 exam.
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