Pharmacist License Renewal in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pharmacist license renewal in Pennsylvania is handled by the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy, 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.

Pennsylvania Pharmacist renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Pharmacist licenses are renewed biennially and all expire on the same date: September 30 of even-numbered years. Renewals open about 60 days before expiry through PALS; there are no paper applications. Late renewal is not permitted, so a license that lapses requires a reactivation application rather than a standard renewal.
CE hours required	30 hours
Renewal fee	$190.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy

Go to the official Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy. automated research workflow (official pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Pharmacists in Pennsylvania

30 hours of ACPE-accredited continuing education are required each biennial renewal period. Within those 30 hours: at least 2 hours in the ACPE "patient safety" topic; at least 2 hours of Act 124 opioid education; at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) from a Board-approved provider; and, for pharmacists holding an Authorization to Administer Injectables, at least 2 hours on immunization topics. The patient safety, opioid, and child abuse hours are non-exempt even for newly graduated or reciprocating licensees who otherwise get a reduced/prorated total. CE certificates are not uploaded at renewal; the Board may audit for proof afterward. Pharmacy law/jurisprudence is not called out as a separate mandatory CE topic.

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

How to renew your Pharmacist license in Pennsylvania

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy portal.
Complete the required 30 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: Renewal is done exclusively online via the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing System (PALS, pals.pa.gov); no paper applications. Pharmacist renewal fee is $190; a separate Authorization to Administer Injectables renews for an additional $30 and also requires current (non-online) CPR certification and at least $1M professional liability insurance. No fixed late/penalty fee is published because late renewal is not allowed — a lapsed license requires reactivation. The official board materials do not mention NABP CPE Monitor for CE tracking; audits are done by requesting certificates directly. CE figures verified from the Board's 2024 Pharmacist Renewal Guide (REV 7/2024); confirm current cycle figures on the live snapshot/renewal pages.

Pharmacist license renewal in Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Pharmacist license in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Pharmacist licenses renew every 24 months. Pharmacist licenses are renewed biennially and all expire on the same date: September 30 of even-numbered years. Renewals open about 60 days before expiry through PALS; there are no paper applications. Late renewal is not permitted, so a license that lapses requires a reactivation application rather than a standard renewal.

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

Approximately 30 continuing-education hours per cycle. 30 hours of ACPE-accredited continuing education are required each biennial renewal period. Within those 30 hours: at least 2 hours in the ACPE "patient safety" topic; at least 2 hours of Act 124 opioid education; at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Act 31) from a Board-approved provider; and, for pharmacists holding an Authorization to Administer Injectables, at least 2 hours on immunization topics. The patient safety, opioid, and child abuse hours are non-exempt even for newly graduated or reciprocating licensees who otherwise get a reduced/prorated total. CE certificates are not uploaded at renewal; the Board may audit for proof afterward. Pharmacy law/jurisprudence is not called out as a separate mandatory CE topic. Confirm the current requirement with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy.

Can I renew my Pennsylvania Pharmacist license online?

Yes — Pennsylvania offers online renewal through the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Pennsylvania Pharmacist license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Pharmacist (RPh) renewal