Everything Pharmacy Students Need To Know About The NAPLEX
The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam® (NAPLEX®) is a standard pharmacy exam required for candidates to become licensed pharmacists in the United States. It is developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies and measures the test taker’s knowledge of pharmacy practice. It serves as a tool to help pharmacy boards assess the level of a candidate’s preparedness to practice as an entry-level pharmacist.
Discover everything you need to know to prepare for and ace the NAPLEX® with the help of TrueLearn and Picmonic.
NAPLEX Exam Format
The exam covers the following six competency areas:
- Obtain, interpret, or assess data, medical, or patient information (18%)
- Identify drug characteristics (14%)
- Develop or manage treatment plans (35%)
- Perform calculations (14%)
- Compound, dispense, or administer drugs, or manage delivery systems (11%)
- Develop or manage practice or medication-use systems to ensure safety and quality (7%)
NAPLEX Exam Question Types
NAPLEX exam questions may come in a variety of formats, including:
- Scenario-based – These questions present you with a patient case and include information such as a medication list, physical exam results, labs, and imaging results, and require you to assess the information. There might be several questions dedicated to a specific case.
- Multiple-choice – These are single best answer questions.
- Select all that apply – NAPLEX select-all-that-apply questions have multiple correct answers. You will not receive partial credit if you do not select every correct answer.
- Free entry response – e.g. calculations for which you must write a numerical answer.
- Ordered-response – e.g., ordering a list of topical corticosteroids in ascending order of potency.
Did you know? TrueLearn’s NAPLEX question bank is mapped to the exam blueprint.
NAPLEX Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the NAPLEX exam and receive your Authorization to Test (ATT), you must pay an application fee and submit your transcripts to verify you’ve graduated (or are about to graduate) from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy school. Eligibility lasts for one year once it is granted.
NAPLEX Eligibility for International Students
International students who wish to become licensed in the United States must have earned their Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC®) certification.
When is the best time to take the NAPLEX?
You can apply for eligibility as early as 30 days before you graduate. After you receive your ATT, you can schedule your appointment with a Pearson VUE Testing Center. Scheduling your test ahead of time will determine your study timeline. Some students give themselves a few weeks to prepare, and others take their test only a month after graduation.
Check the available NAPLEX exam dates to find the best date for you.
How long is the exam?
The computerized exam has 225 questions. Candidates are given six hours to complete the exam, with the option of taking up to two 10-minute breaks. Out of 250 questions, 50 are unscored and unidentifiable pretest questions. Each question on the exam must be answered in order.
When are NAPLEX results released?
Per the NABP, your scores will be available on the NABP online portal within 14 business days of your test date, if your state board participates in the online score interface. Check the NABP website to see if your state offers online score reporting. If it does not, contact your state board to find out how and when the results will be released.
How long do you need to study?
The answer to this question varies from person to person. There is no right or wrong length of study. Your four years of pharmacy school, all the tests and quizzes you’ve taken, your rotations, and any pharmacy work experience have played a role in preparing you for this exam. Some students start as soon as their fourth year of pharmacy school begins, while others may wait until after graduation to dedicate several weeks to months specifically to NAPLEX studying.
Instead of quantity, the quality of your studying is key. Make sure to download the NABP’s Competency Statements and Sample Questions to get a thorough idea of the topics covered. Many study materials are available, including NAPLEX prep books and comprehensive question banks like TrueLearn.
How many times can you take the NAPLEX?
If you fail the NAPLEX on your first attempt, you can retake it up to four times. However, after each failed attempt, there may be certain restrictions you must adhere to, such as a 45-day waiting period. Check the NABP website for specifics on retaking the test.
What is a passing score on the NAPLEX Exam?
A passing score is a scaled score of 75 or better. Although, when you receive your exam results, you will only receive a pass/fail score. You’ll also be able to view your performance results by competency areas in one of four achievement levels ranging from far below the minimum performance to exceeding the minimum performance to demonstrate competency.
How hard is the NAPLEX?
NAPLEX is a difficult exam, especially if you haven’t adequately prepared yourself. In 2023, the pass rate for first-time test takers was 77.5%.
Don’t worry, we have some advice for you to help you study and prepare for test day.
Top 3 Pharmacy Board Tips
1. Download the current NABP NAPLEX Candidate Application Bulletin
The NABP NAPLEX Candidate Application Bulletin is updated yearly by the NABP and contains the most current logistical information that you need to know before you take the NAPLEX, including how to apply for eligibility, how to purchase the exam, scheduling information, and other examination procedures. Download the current one and familiarize yourself with the process.
2. Utilize all the resources available to you
As a recent pharmacology graduate, you will have many helpful resources available to you for the NAPLEX exam. Your school may offer access to online study materials, including textbooks and practice questions. If you don’t have access to those study materials, there is a wealth of NAPLEX study materials available online.
For example, Picmonic’s pharmacology picture mnemonics and quizzes cover 15,000+ need-to-know facts to help you study and recall information for the NAPLEX.
3. Take practice exams
Studying for a big exam like the NAPLEX can be a long, arduous process, and it can be easy to get intimidated by it all. Practice exams and questions are a great way to gauge your level of preparation, determine strengths and weaknesses, and help ease test anxiety.
First, get familiar with NAPLEX questions. We’ve compiled some free NAPLEX sample questions to help you get started. Go through each question carefully, and double-check the explanation for each answer to see if you’re ready to take a practice exam.
As you begin studying for the NAPLEX, take a practice test to give yourself a starting baseline. Taking practice exams regularly allows you to monitor your progress and identify areas of strength and improvement, allowing you to tailor the remainder of your study approach.
Finally, taking a practice exam at the end of your dedicated study time will boost your confidence. All of your preparation and hard work will help you ace that test. Practice NAPLEX exams are available with TrueLearn, a question bank written by certified pharmacists and mapped to the NAPLEX blueprint.
TrueLearn helps pharmacology graduates pass the NAPLEX on the first try, offering performance analytics, real-time national benchmarking, and over 1,500+ practice questions! Make your exam prep smarter, not harder, and save when you purchase the TrueLearn & Picmonic add-on.