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LicenseReciprocity

Transfer Your Pharmacy License to District of Columbia: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) ↗

A pharmacist license transfers to District of Columbia through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration), which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. The District of Columbia requires passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for the District of Columbia (MPJE) before the reciprocity license is granted.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. District of Columbia application fee: $280 (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.).

Moving to District of Columbia from a specific state?

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

The move into District of Columbia runs on two steps in sequence. First the NABP eLTP carries your license and NAPLEX record to the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration); then District of Columbia's own law exam gates the license. Neither re-tests your pharmacy education — the eLTP is verification, and the law exam covers District of Columbia's pharmacy law. Open the e-Profile transfer early, because NABP's verification and scheduling the law exam are the two steps that set your timeline, not the application itself.

No interstate compact for pharmacy; transfer runs through the NABP eLTP and the DC board makes the licensure decision. DC uses the district-specific MPJE (not an announced UMPJE early adopter as of 2026-07-21). A separate 'Reciprocity with Waiver of Licensure Transfer' path exists only for applicants previously licensed in DC and is not the standard out-of-state transfer route captured here.

District of Columbia requirements at a glance

Out-of-state pharmacist license transfer requirements for District of Columbia, verified 2026-07-21
ExamNAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. The District of Columbia requires passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for the District of Columbia (MPJE) before the reciprocity license is granted.
Additional requirements
  • Complete the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer application through NABP (eLTP)
  • Pass the MPJE for the District of Columbia
  • Submit a criminal background check
  • Submit the completed online application with a passport photo, government-issued ID, and Social Security number or work-authorization proof
Fees$280 (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.)
Processing timeDC Health does not publish a stated processing time for pharmacist licensure by reciprocity on the checklist.

Step by step

  1. Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) website — rules change.
  2. Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) (application linked on this page).
  3. Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
  4. Complete the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer application through NABP (eLTP).
  5. Pass the MPJE for the District of Columbia.
  6. Submit a criminal background check.
  7. Submit the completed online application with a passport photo, government-issued ID, and Social Security number or work-authorization proof.
  8. Pay the fees ($280 (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.)) and allow DC Health does not publish a stated processing time for pharmacist licensure by reciprocity on the checklist..

Official links

District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) ↗District of Columbia application ↗License verification ↗

Coming from a specific state?

Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into District of Columbia:

California → District of ColumbiaFlorida → District of ColumbiaGeorgia → District of ColumbiaIllinois → District of ColumbiaMichigan → District of ColumbiaNew York → District of ColumbiaNorth Carolina → District of ColumbiaOhio → District of ColumbiaPennsylvania → District of ColumbiaTexas → District of Columbia

Frequently asked questions

Does my pharmacist license transfer to District of Columbia?

A pharmacist license transfers to District of Columbia through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration), which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. The District of Columbia requires passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for the District of Columbia (MPJE) before the reciprocity license is granted.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. District of Columbia application fee: $280 (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.).

Do I have to retake the NAPLEX to get licensed in District of Columbia?

No — the NAPLEX is a one-time national exam and no board makes you sit it again. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. The District of Columbia requires passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for the District of Columbia (MPJE) before the reciprocity license is granted..

What does licensing in District of Columbia cost an out-of-state pharmacist?

$280 (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.) (District of Columbia application fee (non-refundable) per the DC Health Board of Pharmacy reciprocity checklist. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee.).

How long does District of Columbia take?

DC Health does not publish a stated processing time for pharmacist licensure by reciprocity on the checklist. — DC Health does not publish a stated processing time for pharmacist licensure by reciprocity on the checklist..

Which law exam does District of Columbia require after an eLTP transfer?

NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. The District of Columbia requires passing the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination for the District of Columbia (MPJE) before the reciprocity license is granted.. The law exam is separate from the NAPLEX and covers District of Columbia's own pharmacy law; confirm whether the District of Columbia Board of Pharmacy (DC Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration) currently gives the MPJE or the Uniform MPJE (verified 2026-07-21).

Sources

Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]