Doctor of Pharmacy

Intern licensure information

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences > Doctor of Pharmacy > Experiential Education > Intern licensure information

The WSU Doctor of Pharmacy Program gives students the opportunity to gain invaluable experiences in rotations across various locations throughout the United States, primarily in Oregon, California, Washington and Idaho.

To take part in these rotations, students must ensure they have the proper state intern license. Licensure varies by state and students should familiarize themselves with the intern license process for each state by reviewing the online instructions for the appropriate state board. A list of the most common states WSU student pharmacists seek pharmacy intern licenses in are listed below.

*All costs are subject to change.

Reminders on Intern Licensure

Enrollment Verification

Intern licensing typically requires WSU to verify enrollment either with a letter or a specific form (depending on the state). Below are instructions for licensing by state with links and some helpful tips. Students can request any verification paperwork from Experiential Services.

Note: Incoming students do not need to request paperwork from the college for their initial Washington intern license, Admissions will verify your enrollment automatically to the WA Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

Student Licensure Requirements

Students must maintain and have a valid Washington intern license at all times regardless of a rotation’s location. There must not be a gap in licensure as students engage in patient care activities year round, this is outlined in the Student Handbook.

Beyond holding a Washington intern license, if students do rotations outside of Washington, they must acquire licensure in that state for the duration of the rotation.

Timeline

The licensing application process can take 1.5 – 3 months depending on the state.

Washington Intern Licensing Limitations

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) limits intern licensing renewals to a maximum of 2 renewals, capping the total time anyone can hold an intern license to 6 years (WAC 246-945-156). Students who take a Leave of Absence are encouraged to work with the WA DOH on possibly making their license inoperable during their approval leave of absence.

Washington Licensing

Timeline: Students should submit their renewal 4-6 weeks in advance of the expiration.

Renewal cost: $90*

Students must renew every two years at expiration, which will be on the individual’s birthday. Approximately 90 days prior to expiration students will receive a renewal notice in the mail. To renew student must complete the renewal attestation, pay the renewal fee and mail in the documents. Students should begin the renewal process 6 weeks in advance of expiration. Currently renewals can only be sent in the mail and cannot be renewed online. To expedite a renewal call the WA Department of Health Customer Service office at (360) 236-4700 to pay the renewal fee over the phone, and they will provide instructions on how to submit the attestation.

Washington Renewal [PDF]

Other State Licensing

Alaska

Cost: $130*

Timeline: 4-8 weeks

Renewal: Alaska intern licenses are valid for 2 years.

Enrollment Verification: Alaska requires a Verification of Education form which can only be completed by the WSU Health Sciences Registrar. Most verification forms can be completed by Experiential Services, this is a rare exception.

California

Cost: $230*

Renewal: California intern licenses are valid for 5 years.

Enrollment Verification: Upon student request, Experiential Services will complete and provide the Intern Pharmacist Education Affidavit form.

Required Fingerprinting: Fingerprinting can be completed more quickly in the Live Scan service, which requires students to be physically present in California to complete this.

Timeline: California takes at minimum 45 days to grant intern licenses. On average, it takes around 2 months, but can take up to 3 months. Students expecting to have a rotation in California should always apply for licensure far in advance.

California intern licenses tend to take the longest, and students are occasionally requested to revise and resend something by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Students should read the instructions very carefully when completing the application—particularly the “Avoid Common Mistakes” section of the application. It’s best to check the status periodically. Within the application students should submit the “Verification of License in Another State” and include their Washington state intern license number.

Idaho

Cost: $78.25* ($50 application fee and $28.25 background check fee).

Timeline: 6 weeks

Renewal: Idaho intern licenses must be renewed annually by July 15. If your Idaho license has lapsed (is expired) for 30 days or more you can no longer go through the renewal application process, instead you must apply for a license as if doing so for the first time.

Enrollment Verification: Upon student request, Experiential Services will complete and provide the Certificate of College Enrollment (Extern = Pharmacy Student) form.

Fingerprinting: Students need to complete a fingerprinting packet, from the link. Click on “Pharmacist & Student Pharmacist” and on the right side of the screen there are options under “Fingerprint Card Options.”

Hawaii

Cost: $10* registration fee.

Timeline: 2 weeks

Renewal: Hawaii intern licenses do not require renewal.

Enrollment Verification: Upon student request, Experiential Services will directly mail a letter to the Board that students are presently enrolled.

Oregon

Cost: $141.25* ($100 licensing fee and $41.25 fingerprint processing fee). An additional fee of $12.50* is required when scheduling an appointment to be fingerprinted at a Fieldprint facility.

Timeline: Processing will take a minimum of 4 weeks, apply 6 weeks in advance.

Renewal: Oregon intern licenses expire on the second November 30 from date of issuance.

Enrollment Verification: Upon student request, Experiential Services will provide a letter verifying that they are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program.

Request Verification of Enrollment

Experiential Services can complete any verification of enrollment forms required for licensing for students scheduled for rotations outside of Washington. Experiential Services will either scan, mail forms to students directly or to the board if required.

Incoming students do not need to request paperwork from the college for their initial Washington intern license, Admissions will verify your enrollment automatically to the WA Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

Request Verification Paperwork