Becoming A Pharmacist
Training for a career as a Pharmacist starts as early as high school. If you know that this is the path you want to take, you should start studying math, health, and science vigorously. When looking for a job, a good place to start at is a Pharmacy technician. Some drug stores and hospitals will train you to become a licensed Pharmacist, but you must be hardworking and dedicated to the field.
Basic requirements for Pharmacy School are that you must have taken, and obtained good grades in at least two years of pre-pharmacy courses, such as life science and organic chemistry. However, many Pharmacy schools are requiring three years of coursework be done before applying.
Before applying to a Pharmacy school, a PCAT will need to be taken. This is a Pharmacy College Admissions Test, and is required to be passed before entrance is granted by most Pharmacy schools.
After being accepted by a Pharmacy school, your studies will continue, usually for a term of four years. After completing your courses, you will receive your Pharm.D. degree. Following this, a licensing exam will be taken at the end of your courses in the Pharmacy school you choose. You will need to pass this exam to obtain your license and become a registered Pharmacist. Upon passing this exam, many Pharmacists start as interns for more training. All registered Pharmacists must take continuing education classes to renew their certification each year.
