Pharmacist License in Connecticut 2026: NAPLEX, MPJE, Board Requirements

Connecticut's dense population in the New Haven and Hartford corridors, combined with major academic medical centers and affluent suburban communities, creates strong and consistent demand for pharmacists across hospital, specialty, and retail settings.

Pharmacist Licensing Requirements in Connecticut

All pharmacists licensed in Connecticut must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited program, pass the NAPLEX, and pass the MPJE jurisprudence examination. Connecticut pharmacist licensure is administered through the Connecticut Drug Control Division under the Department of Consumer Protection, rather than a standalone board of pharmacy. Connecticut allows NABP score transfers for licensed pharmacists relocating from other states.

Step-by-Step: Connecticut Pharmacist License Process

1. Create your NABP e-Profile, Fee: $35. Register at nabp.pharmacy. The Connecticut Drug Control Division uses NABP score reports for both the NAPLEX and MPJE.
2. Apply for a Connecticut intern license (if needed), If completing intern hours in Connecticut, apply for a pharmacist intern license through the Connecticut Drug Control Division. Connecticut interns must work under the direct supervision of a Connecticut-licensed pharmacist.
3. Confirm 1,500 intern hours are documented, Connecticut requires a minimum of 1,500 supervised pharmacy practice hours. Your college of pharmacy certifies hours to the Division; confirm this has been submitted before requesting your NAPLEX authorization.
4. Register for and pass the NAPLEX, Fee: $695. Schedule at a Pearson VUE center after authorization. Testing centers are accessible from Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. The NAPLEX is a 250-item computer-adaptive exam.
5. Register for and pass the MPJE, Fee: ~$150. The Connecticut MPJE covers federal law and Connecticut pharmacy statutes including Connecticut General Statutes Chapters 400j and 420b. A passing score is 75. Connecticut law has specific requirements around pharmacist counseling and collaborative drug therapy management that appear on the exam.
6. Submit the Connecticut Drug Control Division application, Apply through the Connecticut eLicense portal under the Department of Consumer Protection. The fee is approximately $135. Attach official transcripts, NABP score reports, and documented intern hours. Processing typically takes 3-4 weeks for complete applications.
7. Background check and fingerprinting, Connecticut requires a criminal background check. Fingerprinting is done through approved State Police fingerprinting sites; budget approximately $50-75. Results are shared with the Drug Control Division before licensure.
8. Receive license and apply for DEA registration, Once your Connecticut pharmacist license is active, register with the DEA (~$888 for 3 years). Connecticut pharmacists dispensing controlled substances should also register with the Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System (PMRS), which is free and required for all pharmacies in the state.

Fees and Timeline

Timeline: Most candidates complete the Connecticut process in 10 weeks. The eLicense portal submission and Drug Control Division processing are typically efficient for complete, accurate applications.

NAPLEX Score Transfer

Connecticut allows NABP score transfers for pharmacists who hold an active license in another state. This is useful for pharmacists relocating from New York, Massachusetts, or other Northeastern states. You must still pass the Connecticut MPJE. Contact the Connecticut Drug Control Division for the score transfer process and any applicable fees.

DEA Registration

After receiving your Connecticut pharmacist license, register with the DEA (~$888 for 3 years) to dispense Schedule II-V controlled substances. Connecticut pharmacists must also participate in the PMRS (Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System), registration is free and required for dispensing pharmacies. Query PMRS for controlled substance prescriptions prior to dispensing in most institutional settings.

Continuing Education (CE)

Connecticut requires 15 hours of CE per year (or 30 hours per 2-year renewal). At least 1 hour must cover pharmacy law. CE must be from ACPE-accredited providers and tracked through CPE Monitor. Connecticut pharmacists with medication therapy management (MTM) or immunization privileges may have additional CE requirements tied to those protocols.

Top Connecticut Employers Hiring Pharmacists

• Yale New Haven Health: One of the nation's leading academic health systems, with Yale New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital among its flagship sites; a major employer of clinical pharmacy specialists and PharmD residents.
• Hartford HealthCare: A statewide health system with hospitals across Hartford, Waterbury, and New London; ongoing pharmacist openings in acute care, oncology, and ambulatory pharmacy.
• Trinity Health (Saint Francis Hospital): Catholic health system serving the greater Hartford market with hospital pharmacist and anticoagulation clinic pharmacist positions.
• CVS Health: Connecticut-headquartered CVS maintains major retail operations with staff pharmacist and manager openings across the state, as well as corporate pharmacy positions at their Woonsocket/Woonsocket-adjacent offices.
• Walgreens and Stop and Shop Pharmacy: Both maintain Connecticut market presence with retail pharmacist openings in suburbs and urban centers.

Pharmacist Salary in Connecticut (2026)

• Staff pharmacist (retail/hospital): $128,000-$142,000
• Clinical pharmacist (hospital): $135,000-$155,000
• Pharmacy manager: $142,000-$162,000

Related: Pharmacist Salary Guide 2026, Hospital vs Retail Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist Salary Guide, Florida Pharmacist License Guide.