California Pharmacist CE Courses (2026)
To renew your Pharmacist license in California you need to satisfy the California State Board of Pharmacy's continuing education (CE) requirement — about 30 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.
What California requires for Pharmacist renewal
| CE hours required | 30 hours per cycle |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | 24 months |
| Governing body | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE during the two years preceding license expiration. Coursework must pertain to pharmacy practice and come from an ACPE- or CPhA-accredited provider. Of the 30 hours, 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of ethics must be completed via Board-provided webinars (no third-party law/ethics coursework accepted). Licensees renewing after Jan 1, 2024 must also complete at least 1 hour of cultural competency CE. New licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal period. No specific controlled-substance/opioid or immunization CE hour mandate is published as part of the standard 30-hour renewal requirement.
Full Pharmacist renewal guide for California (deadlines, fees & CE) →
California Pharmacist CE course providers
- Power-Pak C.E.
Free and low-cost ACPE-accredited pharmacy CPE across clinical and law topics.
- Pharmacist's Letter (TRC Healthcare)
Subscription CPE plus drug-information resources for pharmacists.
- freeCE
Live and home-study ACPE pharmacy CPE, including law and immunization courses.
- CEimpact
ACPE-accredited pharmacy CPE subscriptions and certificate programs.
California Pharmacist CE courses: frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Pharmacist license in California?
California requires about 30 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE during the two years preceding license expiration. Coursework must pertain to pharmacy practice and come from an ACPE- or CPhA-accredited provider. Of the 30 hours, 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of ethics must be completed via Board-provided webinars (no third-party law/ethics coursework accepted). Licensees renewing after Jan 1, 2024 must also complete at least 1 hour of cultural competency CE. New licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal period. No specific controlled-substance/opioid or immunization CE hour mandate is published as part of the standard 30-hour renewal requirement.
Do online Pharmacist CE courses count in California?
Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.
Where do I report my California Pharmacist CE?
California generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the California State Board of Pharmacy.
Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the California State Board of Pharmacy. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.