Arizona Board of Pharmacy |
CE Requirements

Arizona Board of Pharmacy licensees must renew their licenses biennially on October 31 to maintain the right to practice. Renewal on either odd or even years is based on the last digit of the license year. The biennial license renewal fee is $180.

The Arizona Board of Pharmacy requires 30 continuing education (CE) hours to be completed every 2 years prior to the renewal date of October 31. These hours may be completed in a home or live setting.

Biennial Continuing Education Requirements

Additional CE Requirements

• Pharmacists who prescribe and dispense tobacco cessation drug therapies should complete 2 hours of CE related to tobacco cessation.
• Pharmacists who dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives under a standing prescription order should complete 2 hours of CE related to contraceptives.

1. Under A.R.S. § 32-1936, continuing professional pharmacy education is mandatory for all licensees.

1. General continuing education requirement. In accordance with A.R.S. § 32-1925(F), the Board shall not renew a license unless the licensee has, during the two years preceding the application for renewal, participated in 30 contact hours (3.0 CEUs) of continuing education activity sponsored by an Approved Provider as defined in R4-23-110.
2. Special continuing education requirement. The Board shall not renew a license unless:
   1. A licensee certified under R4-23-411 to administer immunizations, vaccines, and emergency medications has participated in at least two contact hours of continuing education activity related to administering immunizations, vaccines, and emergency medications;
   2. A licensee authorized to dispense controlled substances has participated in at least three contact hours of opioid-related, substance use disorder-related, or addiction-related continuing education activity; and
   3. A licensee who dispenses self-administered hormonal contraceptives under a standing prescription order has participated in at least three contact hours of continuing education activity related to self-administered hormonal contraceptives.
3. A pharmacist is exempt from the continuing education requirement in subsections (A)(1) and (2) between the time of initial licensure and first renewal.

1. Acceptance of continuing education units CEUs. The Board shall:

1. Accept CEUs for continuing education activities sponsored only by an Approved Provider;
2. Accept CEUs accrued only during the two-year period immediately before licensure renewal;
3. Not allow CEUs accrued in a biennial renewal period to be carried forward to the succeeding biennial renewal period;
4. Allow a pharmacist who leads, instructs, or lectures to a group of health professionals on pharmacy-related topics in a continuing education activity sponsored by an Approved Provider to receive CEUs for a presentation by following the same attendance procedures as any other attender of the continuing education activity; and
5. Not accept as CEUs the performance of normal teaching duties within a learning institution by a pharmacist whose primary responsibility is the education of health professionals.

1. Continuing education records and reporting CEUs. A pharmacist shall:

1. Maintain continuing education records that:
   1. Verify the continuing education activities the pharmacist participated in during the preceding five years; and
   2. Consist of a statement of credit or a certificate issued by an Approved Provider at the conclusion of a continuing education activity;
2. At the time of licensure renewal, attest to the number of CEUs the pharmacist participated in during the renewal period on the biennial renewal form; and
3. When requested by the Board office, submit proof of continuing education participation within 20 days of the request.

1. The Board may revoke, suspend, or place on probation the license of a pharmacist who fails to comply with continuing education participation, recording, or reporting requirements of this Section.
2. A pharmacist who is aggrieved by any decision of the Board or its administrative staff concerning continuing education units may request a hearing before the Board.

• Complete and submit the NABP Application for Licensure Transfer
  • Register and prepay for the Arizona MPJE testing
• Complete the Application for Pharmacist Licensure by Reciprocity form and submit a $500.00 application fee 
• Submit a copy of a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • If the applicant is a Arizona resident, they may apply online through the Department of Public Safety’s website. On the application, select the Regular Application – Paid Employee, and then select the Board of Pharmacy – Licensure.
  • If the applicant is NOT an Arizona resident, they must contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for an application packet
• If applicable:
  • Submit copies of court documentation related to any criminal arrests/charges/convictions 
  • Submit copies of documentation relating to any past, current or pending disciplinary action of any professional license or denial of licensure
• Take and pass the Arizona MPJE after the application has been approved 

The Arizona State Board of Pharmacy requires a minimum of 30 continuing education hours every 2 years. The CE requirement must be fulfilled by the renewal date of October 31 of the assigned expiration year.

• Complete an Application for Pharmacist Licensure form and submit a $250.00 application fee
• Submit a copy of a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • If the applicant is a Arizona resident, they may apply online through the Department of Public Safety’s website. On the application, select the Regular Application – Paid Employee, and then select the Board of Pharmacy – Licensure.
  • If the applicant is NOT an Arizona resident, they must contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) for an application packet
• If applicable:
  • Submit copies of court documentation related to any criminal arrests/charges/convictions 
  • Submit copies of documentation relating to any past, current or pending disciplinary action of any professional license or denial of licensure
• Register and prepay fees for the NAPLEX and MPJE
  • The NABP will send an Authorization to Test (ATT)

While Arizona does not mandate live continuing education (CE) hours for pharmacist license renewal, opting to engage in them can provide substantial benefits. Joining live online CE sessions enables you to engage in a multitude of educational opportunities for professional development.

To streamline your access to our diverse range of self-paced learning and interactive online courses, we recommend signing up for the freeCE Gold Membership today. This membership allows you unlimited daily access to all of our live sessions as well as on-demand training alternatives, allowing you the freedom to craft a schedule that aligns seamlessly with your needs.

freeCE simplifies the path to advancing your professional growth and education development, providing user-friendliness, accessibility, and affordable education. freeCE offers a wide variety of educational materials, allowing pharmacists to select subjects that align with their interests or areas of expertise. Choose freeCE today to streamline the process of meeting license renewal requirements while offering convenience, reliability, and accreditation from a trusted source.