Pharmacist from Canada (CFTA)

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Pharmacist from Canada (CFTA)

If you are a registered, practicing pharmacist in good standing from another Canadian province/territory, you are eligible to register through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

The CFTA allows your current qualifications as a practicing Canadian pharmacist to be recognized, therefore you are not required to complete any additional assessments.

However, if you are on the non-patient care register in a province/territory you will need to transfer to the province’s patient care category in order to apply through the CFTA category.

Here are the steps to register with the College:

  1. Pre-register with the College

    Please allow at least 45 days to complete the processing of your pre-registration application.

    If you had previously downloaded the pre-registration application form (footer noted 2020-11-20), the College will accept your application package by mail until December 31, 2021.

    If you decide to upload the previous version of the notarized identification form (footer noted 2020-11-20) via the Online Pre-Registration Module, we will accept it until December 31, 2021. Ensure to review the new Application Checklist for Pre-Registration/Student Pharmacist Registration prior to your submission.

    Effective January 1, 2022, all pre-registration applications must be submitted online (unless otherwise instructed) using the current version of all forms.

    Prior to submitting your online pre-registration application, begin by reviewing the general information section on the New Pharmacist Registration page and collect all your required documents by referring to the Application Checklist for Pre-Registration.

    For applicants who have never pre-registered or registered with the College, submit your Pre-Registration application online by going to the eServices webpage and clicking the “Online Pre-Registration Module” link, then follow the instructions to create a new eServices account. Follow the instructions to enter your information and upload the required documents on the Application Summary page, then submit your payment by credit card for the pre-registration application fee.

    Once you have submitted payment, allow 5 business days for your application to be reviewed. You will be notified by email when there is an update to your application status.

    Note that the processing time for the Criminal Record Check (CRC) is at least 45 days.  If adjudication or fingerprinting is required, the processing time will be further extended. Visit the CRC webpage for more information.

    Your pre-registration application is considered complete once all your documents are approved and your CRC result is received from the Ministry. Ensure your email address under the “My Profile” tab in eServices is up-to-date. If necessary, add the College’s email addresses to your Safe Sender List to avoid College emails from being filtered into your junk folder.

    Do not use the “Online Pre-Registration Module” if you have already submitted a paper application, have an expired pre-registration, or had previously registered with our College and are now applying through this CFTA pathway. Using the Online Module will delay the processing of your application. To apply, email the completed HPA Form 4C Application for Pre-Registration (Pharmacist), to the Registration Department at: [email protected].

  2. Successfully complete the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Assessments (if applicable)
    1. This is a requirement for Quebec pharmacists who graduated from a pharmacy program in Quebec or a non-CCAPP accredited program. Contact the College's registration department for more information.
       
    2. ELP results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
       
    3. More information can be found in Registration Committee Policy-1 and 10.
       

    If you completed the ELP test on or before August 31, 2024, you may refer to the previous English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards.

  3. Review the legislation under the Resources Tab
    You must be familiar with all legislation relevant to pharmacy practice in BC in order to complete the Declaration of Currency with Legislation and Practice Standards section of the application.
  4. Apply to be a Full Pharmacist

    You may submit your Full Pharmacist registration application online after your pre-registration application (and ELP, if applicable) is complete.

    Prior to submitting your online Full Pharmacist application, refer to the Application Checklist for Full Pharmacist Registration to identify the documents or information you may be required to submit.

    To submit your Full Pharmacist Registration application, log into your eServices account and select “Full Registration”.

    The processing time for the full registration application is 5 business days, if all the requirements have been met. If there are any outstanding documents or information, the processing time is 5 business days from the date the last document was received.

    You will be notified by email when there is an update to your application status. Once all your requirements have been approved, you will be able to submit payment for your annual registration fee by credit card to complete your Full Pharmacist registration.

  5. Apply for Drug Administration (Optional)

    Refer to the Certification for Drug Administration by Injection and Intranasal Route page for more information

    Note that you must hold valid drug administration authorization in another province at the time of submitting this application, or you must have successfully completed a CCCEP-accredited drug administration training program approved by the College within one year of submitting this application.

  6. Completing Additional Training (Optional)

    Additional training is required for working in a pharmacy that provides specific types of pharmacy services (e.g. Opioid Agonist Treatment). If this training applies to you, you are required to submit a declaration through eServices upon successful completion of the training. Please visit the College website at: https://www.bcpharmacists.org/declarations for more information.

You are now registered as a Full Pharmacist. The College will send you a confirmation email and issue a certificate of registration. You may access your registration card through eServices. Registration must be renewed annually. You will receive an email reminder six weeks before your renewal deadline. 

Note: Effective December 1, 2020, all newly registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians needing access to PharmaNet must enrol in PRIME by applying to the Ministry of Health and obtain approval to access PharmaNet. You may complete Step 1 of the enrollment process at any time, but you should only complete Step 2 of the enrollment process after 8pm on the day your Full registration is granted and a registration number is issued or else your approval will be delayed. For more information, visit the PRIME web page or contact [email protected].

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