Who is exempt from needing an ACPE accredited degree when applying for licensure?

Pharmacists who graduated in the U.S. before June 1, 1985, are exempt from needing an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree when applying for licensure. This exemption recognizes the historical context of pharmacy education in the U.S., as standards for pharmacy degrees have evolved over time. Those who obtained their degrees prior to this date typically followed a different educational path, and this stipulation allows for licensing continuity for those individuals who have been practicing under an older educational framework. It provides a means of acknowledging their qualifications based on the educational standards at the time, which might not align with the current ACPE accreditation requirements.

Other options, like graduates from any pharmacy school or those with international degrees, would still need to meet current ACPE standards for licensure in most jurisdictions. Similarly, individuals with an associate degree in pharmacy also do not fulfill the requirements for full licensure, which typically requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) or its equivalent from an accredited institution.