Intern Pharmacist License Application Process

Overview

This page outlines the process of submitting an application for an Intern Pharmacist License through the California State Board of Pharmacy. This process is required of all incoming P1s so that they are able to complete the experiential portion of our curriculum. We take special care in reviewing your Certiphi Background Screenings to identify anything that may prevent you from gaining your Intern Pharmacist License, but there may still be factors that we do not see. In the highly unlikely event that someone is unable to gain licensure, they will unfortunately not be able to enroll in our program and will have their offer of admission rescinded.

The Intern Pharmacist License application process is very detailed, has time-sensitive tasks, and should be taken step by step so as not to overwhelm yourself. Our intention is for you to slowly put together your application packet over the next several weeks, after which you will either mail or drop off the full application packet to our Office of Student Affairs (OSA) team on campus.

    We highly encourage you to schedule a Zoom meeting with OSA to ask any questions you may have.

    Avoid common mistakes
    • Look at your state issued driver's license or state issued identification card prior to completing the application. The name on each form listed below must be EXACTLY THE SAME as the name on your state issued driver's license or state issued identification card. If you have a hyphenated name, two last names, or two first names, you need to list your name on each of the following documents to match that of your state issued identification:
      • Intern Pharmacist Application
      • Request for Live Scan form or fingerprint cards
      • Self-Query Report
    • Have you ever used a different name? List each prior name on the application under Previous Names.
      • Did you have a maiden name, married name, former name, AKA?
      • Have you ever used Jr., Sr., II, etc., with your name?
      • If you do not list all of your previous names, the Board may not locate, match or verify your documents.
      • Do you have a pharmacy technician license issued in another name? If yes, submit a copy of your state issued identification for the Board to update your name.
    • Do not leave anything blank; use "N/A" if a question doesn't apply to you.
    • Do not let your school fill out your application.
    • Sign and date the application within 60 days of filing the application (which will be done in late August by OSA). Electronic, stamped, copies or faxed signatures of signatures that do not meet the above requirements may result in an incomplete application.

     

    Step 1: Verification of License in Another State

    Complete sometime between:
    Monday, June 17 - Monday, July 1

    While it seems a little out of order to start with this task, if it applies to you then handling it first is necessary due to the length of time it can take (up to a few weeks).

    Please first determine which of the following statements applies to you and then click the corresponding dropdown below for next steps:

    1. You do currently hold or have previously held a license in a state other than California as a pharmacist, intern pharmacist, pharmacy technician, designated representative, and/or other health care professional. This includes any license which is no longer active or which has never been used.
    2. You do not currently hold and have not previously held a license in a state other than California as a pharmacist, intern pharmacist, pharmacy technician, designated representative, and/or other health care professional.
    If statement #1 applies to you

    Immediately initiate the following process:

    • Navigate to page 7 of the Intern Pharmacist License application, Verification of License in Another State 17A-16.
    • Fill out your full name and license number in the section entitled Completed by Licensee.
    • Mail the full page to the state board/agency which issued your license and request that they fill out and mail back the remainder of the page, the section entitled Completed by the State Licensing Board or Agency Verifying Licensure.
    • Follow up regularly if necessary.
    • As soon as all copies of page 11 have been received and you've verified that they are completed in full, add them to your full application packet and move on to Step 2 if you haven't already done so.
    If statement #2 applies to you

    Remove page 7 Verification of License in Another State 17A-16 from your full application packet as it does not apply to you and then move on to Step 2.

     

    Step 2: Intern Pharmacist Application 17A-17 pages 1-5

    Complete sometime between:
    Monday, June 17 - Monday, July 1

    Please follow the instructions in the dropdowns below, split up by pages of the Intern Pharmacist Application 17A-17. It is preferable to have students complete the application online, print, then sign (wet signature) and date the application.  

    Page 1
    • If any of the options in the Military Expedite or Refugee Expedite sections apply to you, see application instructions and contact OSA at sspps-studentaffairs@health.ucsd.edu.
    • Fill out the Applicant Information section in full. If any of the categories do not apply, enter "N/A". No categories should be left blank or the Board will assume you missed it which may cause delays in processing of your application.
    Page 2
    • Under the Graduate from a Foreign School of Pharmacy section, enter the following information:
      • Those who did graduate from a Foreign School of Pharmacy should fill out the applicable information in following categories:
        • Name(s) of University, College, or School of Pharmacy
        • Country
        • Date of Graduation
        • Degree
      • Those who did not graduate from a Foreign School of Pharmacy should enter the following information:
        • Name(s) of University, College, or School of Pharmacy: N/A
        • Country: N/A
        • Date of Graduation: N/A
        • Degree: N/A
    • Under the Enrolled in or Graduated from a United States School of Pharmacy section, enter the following information:
      • Name(s) of University, College, or School of Pharmacy: UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
      • Country: USA
      • Date of Graduation: May 2028
      • Degree: PharmD
    • Under the License Information section:
      • List all states where you are or have previously been licensed as a pharmacist, intern pharmacist, pharmacy technician, any type of designated representative, and/or other healthcare professional, including California. All licenses both active and inactive held outside of California must be verified on the Verification of Licensure in Another State (form 17A-16).
    • Under the California Examination for Pharmacists section:
      • Answer question A, B, C, and D.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    • Under the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) section:
      • Answer question A, B, C, and D.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    Page 3
    • Under the Ownership Information section:
      • Answer question A.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    • Under the Disciplinary History section:
      • Answer questions A, B, and C.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    • Under the Practice Impairment or Limitation section:
      • Answer questions A, B, and C.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    Page 4
    • Under Practice Impairment or Limitation section:
      • Answer questions D and E.
        • If you mark YES to any of the questions on the application, it is recommended that a letter of explanation be provided to facilitate the review process. Board staff will contact you if additional information is needed.
    Page 5
    • In the Applicant Affidavit:
      • Print your full legal name.
      • Print the date.
      • With a wet signature (electronic signatures are not permitted under any circumstances), sign your name.

     

    Step 3: Self-Query

    Complete sometime between:
    Wednesday, June 26 - Friday, July 26

    Starting no earlier than Wednesday, June 26th, please follow the steps below which are also found on item #9 of page 3 of the Intern Pharmacist License application, section entitled Self-Query Report.

    • Navigate to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) website at https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/ or the direct link at https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/ext/selfquery/SQHome.jsp to request a Self-Query Report and submit payments directly to NPDB (the cost is $3).
      • Please do not select the "digitally certified copy" option when requesting your Self-Query Report. The California State Board of Pharmacy does not accept digital copies of any sort for the Intern Pharmacist License.
      • The name on your Self-Query Report must be exactly the same as the name on your application.
      • Request that the Self-Query Report be mailed to your current address, i.e. wherever you are staying when you anticipate it will arrive.
      • You must submit a new Self-Query Report even if one was submitted with a previous application with the California State Board of Pharmacy.
    • Within a week or two, the Self-Query Report will be mailed to you.
      • Please note that it will come in an envelope which should not be opened under any circumstances. Self-Query Reports that have been opened will not be accepted, so you will need to reorder one if the original is opened by mistake.
    • As soon as you receive your sealed Self-Query Report, add it to your full application packet and move on to Step 3 if you haven't already done so.

     

    Step 4: Fingerprints

    Complete sometime between:
    Non-California Residents opting for fingerprint cards: Monday, June 17 - Monday, July 1
    All California Residents, or non-California residents opting for Live Scan: Monday, July 1 - Friday, August 2

    Please select the dropdown below that applies to you based on your legal state of residence and follow the instructions. Please note the following:

    • California residents must use Live Scan.
    • Non-California residents can visit California to complete a Live Scan or submit fingerprints on cards supplied by the Board. We recommend completing a Live Scan if possible as fingerprint cards can delay the processing of your application 6-8 weeks.
    I am a resident of California
    • Attach a copy of your completed Live Scan receipt. The receipt shows you completed the Live Scan.
      • To find a Live Scan location, go to https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. The Live Scan site may charge a processing fee.
      • Live Scan operators can make mistakes. Be proactive; make sure everything the operator keys in to their computer is correct before the operator transmits your prints to the Department of Justice.
      • Make sure the following information is correct when you complete your Live Scan:
        • Type of License/Certification/Permit or Working Title: Pharmacy Intern-Section 4114
        • Full Name: Must be EXACTLY THE SAME as the name on your state issued driver's license or state issued identification card (Jr., II, etc., must be included). It must also be EXACTLY THE SAME as the name on your application and your Self-Query Report.
        • Date of Birth: Must be correct.
        • Social Security Number: Must be included and be correct, unless you have an ITIN. If you have an ITIN, this field should be left blank.
        • Level of Service: Must include both DOJ and FBI.
    I am a resident of a state other than California
    • You may visit California and complete Live Scan. If you cannot, then you must submit two rolled fingerprint cards with your application.
      • You must use fingerprint cards from the Board of Pharmacy.
      • Request fingerprint cards through the Board's online services at https://www.dca.ca.gov/webapps/pharmacy/pubs_request.php or email rxforms@dca.ca.gov.
      • Fee: Include fingerprint card processing fee of $49 ($32 DOJ and $17 FBI), made payable to the Board of Pharmacy.
      • You can send one check or money order for both the application processing fee and fingerprint card processing fee.
      • Print legibly or type your personal information on the fingerprint cards. If your personal information is not legible and DOJ enters your information incorrectly, you will be responsible to submit new fingerprint cards and pay the $49 fingerprint card processing fee again.
      • The fingerprint cards must be processed at a location authorized to complete fingerprint cards for the DOJ/FBI (e.g. law enforcement agency) in the state the services are rendered.
      • Fingerprint clearances from cards take about six week longer than the Live Scan.
      • Poor quality prints will be rejected and will cause delay because new fingerprint cards will be required.

     

    Step 5: Passport-Style Photo

    Complete sometime between:
    Wednesday, June 26 - Monday, July 18

    Attach a passport-style photo to page 1 of the application (2"x2" glossy, colored photo). DO NOT provide scanned images, Polaroids, or black-and-white photos. This task can often be completed at a local retail pharmacy chain like Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. and has a minimal cost.

     

    Step 6: Gather full application and deliver to OSA

    Due no later than:
    Non-California Residents: Friday, July 19 before noon
    California Residents: Friday, August 9 before noon

    Mail or hand-deliver your final application to OSA at the following address:

    UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
    ATTN: Deanna Perez, Pam McGlynn
    9255 Pharmacy Lane, MC 0657
    La Jolla, CA 92093-0657

    Your final application will consist of the following items:

    • A check or money order for $245 made payable to the California State Board of Pharmacy
    • Passport-style photo
    • Sealed Self-Query report
    • Fingerprints
    • Intern Pharmacist Application 17A-17 pages 1-6
      • You will complete pages 1-5
      • Skaggs representatives will complete page 6
    • (If applicable) Verification of License in Another State 17A-16
    What to expect after dropping off your final application
    • OSA will submit all final applications in bulk to the California State Board of Pharmacy by late August.
    • Allow the Board 30 days to review your application.
    • You will be notified in writing if your application is incomplete.
    • Please do not contact the Board to check on the status of your application unless your application has been on file for over 45 days.
    • If your check has cleared your bank, the Board has received your application.
    • Once you have completed all the requirements for licensure and the Board has approved the issuance of your license, you will receive an email notifying you of the issuance of your license. In addition, you may verify your license at www.pharmacy.ca.gov. Select "Verify a License" and enter your name. Please allow four to six weeks from the date a license is issued to received the license in the mail.