If a foreign pharmacist does not have FPGEC certification, can they receive a license?

A foreign pharmacist must obtain the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Certification (FPGEC) to be eligible for licensure. The FPGEC serves as a standard that ensures that foreign-educated pharmacists have met the necessary educational and competency requirements equivalent to those of U.S.-educated pharmacists. Without this certification, foreign pharmacists do not possess the credentials to demonstrate their qualifications for practice in the United States, including Guam.

This requirement exists to maintain the safety and effectiveness of pharmaceutical care provided to patients. The licensure process for pharmacists is stringent to ensure that practitioners are well-versed in U.S. laws, regulations, and practices, which could differ significantly from their home countries. As a result, foreign pharmacists without FPGEC certification cannot meet the necessary requirements for a license to practice pharmacy in Guam.