Pharmacist License Renewal in Colorado (2026)

Pharmacist license renewal in Colorado is handled by the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA), which requires Pharmacist (RPh)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Colorado Pharmacist renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Pharmacist (RPh) licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle and expire October 31 of odd-numbered years. The online renewal period opens roughly four weeks before expiration, and licensees may only renew during that period.
CE hours required	24 hours
Renewal fee	see board (fee not fixed/published)
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA)

Go to the official Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA) renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA). automated research workflow (official colorado Board of Pharmacy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Pharmacists in Colorado

Pharmacists must complete at least 24 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education during each two-year license period (CE begins immediately upon licensure). Courses must be approved by ACPE (or a board-determined equivalent); up to 6 of the 24 hours may be pharmacy-related CME accredited by ACCME. The Board does not mandate specific subject hours (no separately required pharmacy-law, controlled-substance/opioid, immunization, or patient-safety hours stated) — any aspect of pharmacy practice qualifies. The first renewal after initial licensure may be exempt from CE if the license was obtained within one year of completing pharmacy education. Hardship/military exemptions and a six-month CE compliance extension are available; compliance audits occur after each license period. Licensees keep their own CE records for at least 4 years and submit only if requested.

Need approved hours? Compare Colorado Pharmacist CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Pharmacist license in Colorado

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA) portal.
Complete the required 24 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: CE is biennial (24 hrs per 2-yr cycle); no annual minimum is specified by the Board. No live-CE requirement is stated. The Board does not require CPE Monitor — licensees self-maintain records and undergo post-period audits. Renewal and late/reinstatement fees are set by DORA's fee schedule (adjusted periodically) and are not published as a single fixed pharmacist figure on the Board pages, so the fee fields are nulled rather than guessed; verify current amounts on the DPO Applications/Forms page or DORA online services. Pharmacy technicians follow a different model (active national certification, e.g., PTCB/NHA) and are out of scope here.

Pharmacist license renewal in Colorado: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Pharmacist license in Colorado?

Colorado Pharmacist licenses renew every 24 months. Pharmacist (RPh) licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle and expire October 31 of odd-numbered years. The online renewal period opens roughly four weeks before expiration, and licensees may only renew during that period.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Pharmacist license in Colorado?

Approximately 24 continuing-education hours per cycle. Pharmacists must complete at least 24 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education during each two-year license period (CE begins immediately upon licensure). Courses must be approved by ACPE (or a board-determined equivalent); up to 6 of the 24 hours may be pharmacy-related CME accredited by ACCME. The Board does not mandate specific subject hours (no separately required pharmacy-law, controlled-substance/opioid, immunization, or patient-safety hours stated) — any aspect of pharmacy practice qualifies. The first renewal after initial licensure may be exempt from CE if the license was obtained within one year of completing pharmacy education. Hardship/military exemptions and a six-month CE compliance extension are available; compliance audits occur after each license period. Licensees keep their own CE records for at least 4 years and submit only if requested. Confirm the current requirement with the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA).

Can I renew my Colorado Pharmacist license online?

Yes — Colorado offers online renewal through the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA). Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Colorado Pharmacist license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Colorado State Board of Pharmacy (Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies / DORA) promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Pharmacist (RPh) renewal