what does it take to become a registered pharmacist?
Asked by Finally 21!
i just started my new job at walgreens as a pharmacy cashier and working to get my tech license. i am 20 years old and the the registered pharmacists only look a few years older than me, so i was wondering, how long to you have to go to college and what degree do you have to have to become a registered pharmacist (not a pharmD)? also, how much do they make starting out? i am really interested in becoming one. thanks!

Best Answer:
First off, all pharmacists now are required to have a pharmD, which is a doctorate degree. "Registered Pharmacist" or R.Ph is the title you are given when you graduate from an accredited school and passed all the boards. Many years ago, pharmacists use to only require a bachelors of science degree, but that is no longer the case. Retail pharmacists make about $100/k year or about $45-$50/hour. There are many, many other job options pharmacists can do, but that is another question in itself. It takes anywhere from 5 years to 8 years to get a pharmD, as there are many paths. All involve doing pre-requisite work and then going to pharmacy school. Pharmacy schools are tradionally 4 years, but there are accelerated programs that offer it in 3 years. Here are some options: 1.) 7-8 years: get a bachelors degree in a field of your interest while completing the pre-reqs for pharm school (4 years). Apply to pharmacy school. Then go to pharmacy school for 3 to 4 years. 2.) 5 to 6 years: Complete the minimum amount of pre-reqs to apply to pharmacy school (2 years). People who go this route usually get an Associates Degree in Science since the coursework is pretty much the same. Then apply to pharmacy school (3 to 4 years). 3.) 5 to 6 years: go to a full pharmacy school that offers the whole coursework without any prior pre-reqs. (5 to 6 years) for options 1 and 2, in order to apply to pharmacy schools you also have to take a standarized test, the PCAT, get letter of recommendations, etc, etc.
in pharmacy
Answered by Xa

start with your pre reqs for med school -your college advisor can help you. the pharmacists you work for can give you free guidance as well.
Answered by versantly

According to the department of labor's occupational outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos079.htm A license is required in all States, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. In order to obtain a license, pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from a college of pharmacy and pass several examinations. Education and training. Pharmacists must earn a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy. The Pharm.D. degree has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, which is no longer being awarded. To be admitted to a Pharm.D. program, an applicant must have completed at least 2 years of postsecondary study, although most applicants have completed 3 or more years. Other entry requirements usually include courses in mathematics and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences. In 2007, 92 colleges and schools of pharmacy were accredited to confer degrees by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). About 70 percent of Pharm.D. programs require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Courses offered at colleges of pharmacy are designed to teach students about all aspects of drug therapy. In addition, students learn how to communicate with patients and other health care providers about drug information and patient care. Students also learn professional ethics, concepts of public health, and medication distribution systems management. In addition to receiving classroom instruction, students in Pharm.D. programs spend about one-forth of their time in a variety of pharmacy practice settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. Median annual of wage-and-salary pharmacists in May 2006 were $94,520. The middle 50 percent earned between $83,180 and $108,140 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $67,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,480 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of pharmacists in May 2006 were: Department stores $99,050 Grocery stores 95,600 Pharmacies and drug stores 94,640 General medical and surgical hospitals 93,640 According to a 2006 survey by Drug Topics Magazine, pharmacists in retail settings earned an average of $92,291 per year, while pharmacists in institutional settings earned an average of $97,545. Full-time pharmacists earned an average of $102,336, while part-time pharmacists earned an average of $55,589.
Answered by PiggiePants

First, you have to take the pre-req courses required by the pharmacy colleges. Some do require or have a de facto requirement of a bachelors degree. Most schools require the PCAT. It is a standardized exam. The parts of that exam are math, biology, chemistry, reading, English, and writing. Your score is a percentile. You'll apply to the pharmacy schools you are interested in attending. Most use the PharmCAS common application. On average, it'll take 2-4 years to get through the pre-reqs and 4 years to get through pharmacy school. The average starting salary at retail pharmacy is between $105k-$115k. The average starting salary at a hospital pharmacy is about $90k.
Answered by Lea

To become a pharmacist you now have to get a PhD in pharmacology. Go to any 4 year college for biology or chemistry etc. Then once you graduate you have to take an entrance exam to get into pharmacy school. Then you have to apply to pharm colleges and hope you get in. Then you have to do 5 years to get a PhD in pharmacology. So it takes 4 years for a science bachelors then 5 more years in pharmacy college.
Answered by C