Pharmacist License in Massachusetts 2026: NAPLEX, MPJE & Requirements

Massachusetts is one of the most competitive and highest-paying pharmacy job markets in the country, driven by the concentration of world-class academic medical institutions in Boston including Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Pharmacist Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

All pharmacists licensed in Massachusetts must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited program, pass the NAPLEX, and pass the MPJE jurisprudence examination. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy requires 1,500 verified intern hours and charges one of the higher initial application fees in New England at approximately $185.

Step-by-Step: Massachusetts Pharmacist License Process

1. Create your NABP e-Profile, Register at nabp.pharmacy ($35). Massachusetts uses NABP to receive official NAPLEX and MPJE score reports required for licensure.
2. Complete 1,500 intern hours, Hours must be supervised by a Massachusetts-licensed pharmacist in a Board-approved setting. Both advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations and pre-APPE intern positions count toward the requirement.
3. Pass the NAPLEX, Register through NABP ($695). The adaptive examination tests drug therapy competency, pharmaceutical calculations, and medication safety. Minimum passing score: 75.
4. Pass the MPJE, Register through NABP (~$150). The Massachusetts MPJE covers MGL Chapter 112 Sections 24-47, the Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, collaborative drug therapy management regulations, and applicable federal law.
5. Submit the Massachusetts Board application, Apply online through the Massachusetts DPL (mass.gov/dpl). Pay the ~$185 fee. Upload official PharmD transcripts, NABP exam score reports, and certified intern hour documentation.
6. Complete a background check, Fingerprint-based background check using a Massachusetts-approved Live Scan vendor or State Police site (~$50-75). Results are transmitted electronically to the Board.
7. Receive your Massachusetts pharmacist license, The Board issues licenses after full application review, typically within 2-4 weeks. Massachusetts pharmacist licenses expire June 30 biennially.
8. Register with the DEA, After licensure, apply for DEA registration (~$888 for 3 years). Massachusetts pharmacists must query MassPAT before dispensing Schedule II-IV controlled substances and are required to counsel patients on naloxone co-dispensing under MA law.

Fees and Timeline

NAPLEX Score Transfer

Massachusetts accepts NABP score transfers for pharmacists currently licensed in another state who passed the NAPLEX within the past 3 years. The $50 transfer is submitted through your NABP e-Profile. Transferred applicants must still pass the Massachusetts MPJE before the Board will issue a Massachusetts license.

DEA Registration

After receiving your Massachusetts pharmacist license, apply for DEA registration (~$888 for 3 years) to dispense controlled substances. Massachusetts pharmacists must check MassPAT before dispensing opioids and Schedule II-IV drugs. Massachusetts law also requires pharmacists to proactively offer naloxone to patients receiving opioid prescriptions, making naloxone counseling a de facto clinical responsibility.

Continuing Education Requirements

Massachusetts requires 20 contact hours of ACPE-accredited CE per year, totaling 40 hours per biennial renewal period -- one of the highest CE requirements in the country. A minimum of 2 hours must address pharmacist-patient communication and 2 hours must cover pain management or substance use disorder. All CE is tracked through CPE Monitor.

Top Massachusetts Employers Hiring Pharmacists

• Mass General Brigham: Nation's largest academic medical research organization, with pharmacist openings at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and 14 affiliate hospitals across eastern Massachusetts.
• Beth Israel Lahey Health: Major Boston-area system with clinical pharmacist, specialty pharmacy, and ambulatory care roles across Beth Israel Deaconess, Lahey Hospital, and affiliated facilities.
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: World-leading oncology center with highly specialized oncology clinical pharmacist and pharmacy specialist positions.
• UMass Memorial Health: Central Massachusetts academic medical center with pharmacist openings in Worcester and surrounding communities.
• Tufts Medical Center / Boston Medical Center: Urban academic safety-net hospitals with clinical pharmacy residency programs and post-residency pharmacist hiring.

Pharmacist Salary in Massachusetts (2026)

• Staff pharmacist (retail/hospital): $130,000-$145,000
• Clinical pharmacist: $140,000-$154,000
• Pharmacy manager: $150,000-$162,000

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