The pharmacy profession is becoming more flexible, as pharmacists can work across state lines through travel, telepharmacy, contract, and remote positions. As the healthcare industry expands its reach, having a pharmacist license in more than one state can open the door to additional career opportunities. Thus, understanding the unique aspects of different pharmacy positions can help streamline your licensing journey.
Ultimately, partnering with an experienced healthcare staffing agency can advance this licensing journey and connect professionals like you to top-tier nationwide positions.
Remote Pharmacist Job Opportunities
The rise of virtual healthcare has vastly increased remote opportunities. Telepharmacists leverage multiple credentials to perform cross-border Medication Therapy Management (MTM), conduct remote clinical assessments, data entry, script verification, or consult via on-demand apps. These positions are often 100% remote, giving you geographic flexibility while companies pay per-state credential bonuses.
Obtaining additional pharmacist licenses can expand your job search for these remote opportunities. Thus, instead of limiting your search to one state, you may be able to pursue positions in several states while working from home.
Travel Pharmacist Job Opportunities
Multi-state credentials can also be valuable for relocation. Having additional licenses may allow a pharmacist to expand their geographic range of employment opportunities before or during a move rather than waiting until after relocating.
If you prefer hands-on, short-term assignments, holding multiple state licenses makes you an incredibly competitive candidate for travel pharmacy roles. Travel pharmacists fill critical staffing shortages at hospitals, long-term care (LTC) facilities, or rural retail chains. Some perks of obtaining multiple licenses include premium weekly pay, housing, travel reimbursements, and more. You can even vacation while you work!
How to Get Licensed as a Pharmacist in Multiple States
Pharmacy license reciprocity, officially called licensure transfer, is a process that lets a pharmacist who is licensed in one U.S. state or jurisdiction apply for a license in another state without retaking the primary board exam (the NAPLEX).
For pharmacists who already hold an active, unrestricted license in good standing, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s (NABP) Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) can facilitate transferring a pharmacist license to participating jurisdictions. Applicants must meet the requirements of the specific state, and ultimately, the state’s board of pharmacy makes the licensing decision.
- Basic Eligibility: You must hold at least one current, active, and unrestricted pharmacist license in good standing.
- The Role of the NABP: The NABP verifies your credentials, education history, and background screening via the NABP Clearinghouse.
- State Approval: The NABP does not issue the new license. The state board of pharmacy where you want to practice makes the final decision.
- State-Specific Rules: Given that each state has its own licensing requirements, pharmacists seeking licensure in multiple states should review the current requirements of each state’s Board of Pharmacy before beginning the application process.
- Pharmacy Law Exams: Many states require pharmacists to pass a pharmacy jurisprudence examination covering state-specific pharmacy laws and regulations. In participating jurisdictions, this may include the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).
States Recognizing the NABP Passport
Fourteen states recognize the NABP Passport program to efficiently grant temporary or emergency licenses for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
The participating states are:
- Arizona
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Temporary Pharmacist Licenses via Reciprocity/License Transfer
Many individual states (such as Iowa and Maine) also issue standard temporary practice licenses directly through their state boards of pharmacy while an out-of-state pharmacist completes regular license transfer requirements or state jurisprudence exams (like the MPJE).
How Soliant Advances Your Pharmacy Career
At Soliant, we connect pharmacy professionals with opportunities across the country, including travel, contract, telepharmacy, and remote positions. As experts in pharmacy careers, our team helps professionals like you navigate the licensing and credentialing requirements that come with pursuing new opportunities.
For pharmacists looking to expand their career options, obtaining and managing multiple state licenses can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the process. As demand for multi-state licensure continues to grow, we’re committed to equipping our pharmacy professionals with the resources and support they need to navigate licensing requirements and pursue opportunities with confidence, starting here at Soliant.
Most importantly, we provide our pharmacy professionals with financial, career, wellness, and travel benefits. Ready to explore your next pharmacy opportunity? Connect with Soliant to learn more about current pharmacist jobs and licensing requirements for your desired assignment.