Introduction

Passing the NAPLEX is one of the biggest milestones on your journey to becoming a licensed pharmacist — and once you see that “PASS” on your score report, it’s completely normal to feel excited, relieved, and even a little overwhelmed about what comes next.

Does your license arrive automatically?
Do you have to take the MPJE next?
What about score transfers?
Do you need to submit new documents to your state board?
Can you start working immediately?
How long does licensure take?

This guide breaks down everything that happens after you pass the NAPLEX so you can move forward with full clarity and confidence.

👉 Take a breath and let’s go through this step by step. Check out our NAPLEX Practice Questions — designed to strengthen your understanding of pharmacotherapy, calculations, patient safety, clinical decision-making, and real-world pharmacy scenarios. Every question comes with a clear, straightforward rationale so you can understand the reasoning behind each answer and actually learn, not just guess. Keep showing up for yourself. You’re doing great, and every question you answer is taking you one step closer to passing the NAPLEX.

1. You Must Still Complete the Remaining Licensure Requirements

Passing the NAPLEX alone does not make you a licensed pharmacist.

You must still:

✔️ Pass your state’s pharmacy law exam (usually the MPJE)

✔️ Meet all state board requirements

✔️ Submit required documentation

✔️ Pay state licensure fees

✔️ Wait for official board approval

Each state has its own process, with some requiring:

• Additional exams
  
• Background checks
  
• Fingerprinting
  
• Judicial review
  
• Mandatory courses
  
• Residency or training modules (rare)
  

So while NAPLEX is a huge step, it’s only part of the full licensure pathway.

2. Most States Require You to Take the MPJE Next

The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) tests your knowledge of:

• Federal pharmacy law
  
• State-specific pharmacy regulations
  
• Prescribing laws
  
• Dispensing regulations
  
• Controlled substances requirements
  
• Pharmacy operations
  
• Legal recordkeeping
  
• DEA rules
  
• Professional standards
  

✔️ Nearly every state requires the MPJE.

(Some states have their own state law exam instead.)

Most candidates:

✔️ Take the MPJE shortly after passing the NAPLEX.

Some even take both exams within the same week if they’re well-prepared.

If you’re in a state with its own law exam (e.g., California CPJE), follow that board’s rules instead.

3. Apply for Your State Pharmacist License

Once you've passed the NAPLEX (and MPJE), you must apply for your official licensure.

Most states require:

• Application form
  
• Application fee
  
• Proof of passing exams
  
• Background check
  
• Fingerprinting
  
• NABP score reports
  
• Final transcripts
  
• SSN verification
  
• Passport-style photo
  
• Residency documentation (in rare states)
  
• Intern hours verification
  

Every state board is different — so check your board’s website or your NAPLEX Study Guide for state-specific requirements.

4. How Long Does It Take to Get Your Pharmacist License After Passing?

The timeline varies widely depending on your state.

Typical approval times:

• Fast states: 2–7 days
  
• Moderate states: 1–3 weeks
  
• Slow states: 4–6 weeks
  
• Exceptionally slow states: 6–8+ weeks
  

Factors that affect your timeline:

• Whether you completed all documents early
  
• Whether your background check clears quickly
  
• Whether your state requires additional reviews
  
• Whether the board is in a busy season
  
• Whether you’re missing any paperwork
  

Most delays happen because:

❌ Candidates submit incomplete documents

❌ Fingerprinting is delayed

❌ Transcripts haven’t arrived

❌ The MPJE hasn’t been taken yet

The sooner you complete everything, the faster your license arrives.

5. Should You Send Score Transfers?

A score transfer allows you to use your NAPLEX results in another state without retaking the exam.

You may want score transfers if you:

• Plan to move soon
  
• Want job options in multiple states
  
• Want to be residency-eligible across regions
  
• Are unsure where you’ll accept offers
  
• Want greater career flexibility
  

✔️ Score Transfer Fee: $75 per state

(You can add transfers during registration or after testing.)

Be strategic — you don’t need to transfer to every state, just the ones where you may work.

6. Can You Work Before Your License Arrives?

It depends on your state.

✔️ Some states allow you to work as a graduate intern

❌ No state allows you to practice as a pharmacist without a license

You cannot:

• Verify prescriptions
  
• Perform final checks
  
• Sign off on patient counseling
  
• Supervise technicians
  
• Perform pharmacist-only tasks
  

You can, in some states, continue intern-level duties while waiting.

Your license number must appear in your online verification system before you can practice.

 

7. What Happens If You Fail the MPJE After Passing the NAPLEX?

This is more common than people think.

If you fail the MPJE:

• You remain unlicensed
  
• You must wait the state-specific waiting period (usually 30 days)
  
• You must repay the MPJE fee
  
• Your NAPLEX pass does not expire
  
• You cannot begin pharmacist duties
  

Many candidates pass NAPLEX but struggle with MPJE due to unfamiliar state law nuances.

It’s okay — just adjust your strategy.

8. What Happens After You Are Officially Licensed?

Once your board approves everything:

✔️ You receive your pharmacist license number

✔️ You appear in the public verification database

✔️ You can begin pharmacist work immediately

Employers often require:

• License number
  
• Active status verification
  
• Employment forms
  
• Background check updates (depending on the employer)
  

Most pharmacists begin employment within 1–10 days after licensure.

 

9. Does Your NAPLEX Score Matter for Jobs or Residencies?

In almost all cases:

✔️ No.

Employers and residency directors do not ask:

• Your score
  
• Whether you passed on the first try
  
• How many attempts you needed
  

What they care about:

✔️ That you passed

✔️ That you are licensed

✔️ That you are competent

✔️ That you perform well during interviews or rotations

Once you’re licensed, you’re on the same level as anyone else with the same credential.

10. When Should You Start Applying for Pharmacist Jobs?

You can start applying:

✔️ Before receiving your license

—but—

✔️ You cannot start working as a pharmacist until the license is active

Most employers are familiar with the timeline and will allow:

• Interviewing
  
• Verbal offers
  
• Onboarding paperwork
  
• Training scheduling
  

But they will not finalize employment until your license is posted.

The sooner you complete your documents, the smoother the transition.

11. Should You Get Licensed in More Than One State?

You might want dual licensure if:

• You live near a state border
  
• You plan to move
  
• You want more job opportunities
  
• You are considering travel pharmacy
  
• You want remote/telepharmacy roles
  
• You want expanded clinical options
  

Retail chains, hospitals, telehealth companies, and PBMs often hire multi-state pharmacists.

Score transfers make this easier.

12. What Should You Do Immediately After Passing?

Here’s a simple checklist:

✔️ Save and print your NAPLEX score report

✔️ Finish your MPJE prep

✔️ Schedule your MPJE (if not done)

✔️ Submit your licensure application

✔️ Complete fingerprinting

✔️ Complete background check

✔️ Confirm transcript sent to board

✔️ Request score transfers if needed

✔️ Prepare job applications

✔️ Organize all documents

The faster you complete this checklist, the faster your license is issued.

13. How Long Is Your NAPLEX Passing Score Valid?

Most boards consider NAPLEX passing scores valid for:

✔️ 1–2 years

Some states allow longer validity windows, but it varies.

If you wait too long, you may need to:

• Reapply
  
• Resend documents
  
• Reverify eligibility
  

Your board will specify its rules.

14. What If You Want to Switch States After Becoming Licensed?

Once licensed, you can apply for:

✔️ License transfer

or

✔️ Reciprocity

This typically requires:

• MPJE for the new state
  
• Application fee
  
• Verification of existing license
  
• Background check
  

NAPLEX does not need to be retaken.

👉 Take a breath and let’s go through this step by step. Check out our NAPLEX Practice Questions — designed to strengthen your understanding of pharmacotherapy, calculations, patient safety, clinical decision-making, and real-world pharmacy scenarios. Every question comes with a clear, straightforward rationale so you can understand the reasoning behind each answer and actually learn, not just guess. Keep showing up for yourself. You’re doing great, and every question you answer is taking you one step closer to passing the NAPLEX.

Final Thoughts

Passing the NAPLEX is a huge achievement. Now you know exactly what happens next:

• You must still pass the MPJE (or state law exam)
  
• You must complete all state licensure requirements
  
• You must submit documents and pay fees
  
• You must wait for board approval
  
• You receive your license number
  
• Then you can finally begin practicing as a pharmacist
  

You also know:

• Your NAPLEX score doesn’t affect your job chances
  
• Many candidates pass MPJE and get licensed quickly
  
• Score transfers can expand your opportunities
  
• Dual licensure is extremely useful
  
• Most delays come from paperwork — not exam issues
  

You’ve already cleared one of the hardest steps.
Everything from here is simply following the process and staying organized.

You’re so close to the finish line — keep going.
Your pharmacist license is within reach, and you’ve earned every part of it.

You've absolutely got this.